Maker Voices: Rebecca Li Hao

I really enjoyed taking this class, getting to spend more time in and getting acquainted with the Makery! Some things that stood out to me: 

(1) User friendly machines made things feel much more approachable! 

Prior to the class, while I knew I wanted to learn more about making, I did always feel a little intimidated -- I hadn't ever worked with 3D files before, or seen what it involved to laser cut something. I felt nervous entering makerspaces given my lack of knowledge, not knowing what I could do, how to do it, or the norms. One, I love that the GSE Makery is so welcoming, that mentors are so down to help at any point, and the energy is just warm and supportive! I was also really pleasantly surprised that the software in the Makery is so user-friendly. I used Tiny CAD to make some custom dice, and being able to use familiar shapes to add/cut out of it made is so much easier. And the Bambu software for printing is so easy to use -- just check if you need supports and you're set! The laser cutter software was also so much less intimidating than I thought it would be, making simple shapes and texts a breeze. The embroidery software was also more approachable than I expected. 

(2) Being a part of this shared context of people interested in making, and making things, was really energizing and inspiring! 

I really enjoyed being in a space with others making things and having fun! :) It was fun to be able to check in and learn from what others were doing. It felt energizing to want to learn how to use the sewing machine (I still need to do this though 😅 but I'm really excited to sew and embroider more!) by watching and popping by Alisa and Claudia, hearing about Jeremy's counter machine, thinking about designing 2D wood to create 3D project like Chrysanthe, and the microcontroller and LEDs from Ryan! I didn't realize that I could get something electronic running, but it got me starting to work on/flesh out/think through creating an interactive neuron thing (originally I was exploring creating 'interlocking neurons'). Could laser cut (or 3D print?) neurons, connect some LEDs to it, and show the LED's lighting up as a "fire together, wire together". Or by adding on some myelin pieces, it speeds up the light (to illustrate that effect). 

(3) Having all sorts of materials and tools around you really spurs on creativity :) 

I love this feeling! Having different materials and tools to try, I feel like it gave me this feeling of 'oh you should just try it', and then by just starting, it gets me thinking in new ways, stretching my brain, trying new things. For example, in LDT we also dropped by the Makery, and I had a field day with pipe cleaners and Play-doh. I also really enjoyed just trying out stamp making and then getting really into it, designing and carving a couple stamps. It's really fun for me to think of ideas of what to design/create (especially as gifts for other people, incorporating aspects of them), and it's also just therapeutic and enjoyable to do the intentional act of carving/creating. Definitely interested in bringing this kind of energy/thinking to things that I do and create, and just spend more time in the Makery.