A look back at an amazing month!
The Columbus Idea Foundry was a flurry of activity in October: We organized the first ever Columbus Mini Maker Faire, and faced off at the 4th annual Tool Race Championship with racing-machines cobbled together from circular saws and grinders. We partnered with COSI in hosting the kick-off party for this year’s conference of the Association of Science-Technology Centers, with over 120 professionals from science museums all over the country joining us for live music and hands-on demonstration of our classes and tools. The fine folks of ReFab studio kickstarted their new venture, the Old Familiar Comb Company, raising $22,000 for their manly metal bottle-opener combs. Todd Perkins fired up his electric powered motorcycle for its first test joy ride. We launched a sleek new website. And to finish off the month we celebrated Halloween in hilarious style.
Now we’re gearing up for November, expanding our class selection, and bringing on new teachers. We hope you’re as excited as we are about our upcoming classes and events!
Events this November
Get the kids out of your hair on Black Friday!
On Nov 23rd, while you’re out shopping the Black Friday sales, your kids and teens are invited to join the Columbus Idea Foundry for a full day of hands-on learning and make-and-take fun: featuring wood-working, laser cutting, arts & crafts, and a movie. Early registration & sibling discounts are available!
Etsy Bootcamp — Learn to market your art!
If you are an artist or artisan and you aren’t on Etsy.com, you’re missing out on a thriving online marketplace for handcrafted artwork. Join our crash-course on Nov 18th and we’ll teach you how to use this service to promote and sell your work on the web.
Come jam with the Raspberry Pi computer!
Have you heard about the revolutionary new Raspberry Pi, a tiny $35 computer? “Raspberry Jam” events are being held around the world to celebrate and explore this new technology, and on Nov 17th we’re hosting one right here in Columbus! Nerds and n00bs alike are welcomed to come, learn, share, and swap operating system configurations (just bring a blank SD card!).
Announcements
Looking for a creative gift for a creative person?
We sell gift-certificates that can be used to pay for classes, membership fees, and tool-time!
We host events!
If you’re looking for a place to hold your next event — from birthday parties and school groups to corporate team building activities — we’ve got some amazing things for your group to see and make!
We’re looking for volunteers and interns!
Want to help out at the Idea Foundry? We’re always looking for dedicated volunteers to help grow the mission of CIF. Swing by the Columbus College of Art & Design’s Internship Faire on Friday the 9th to meet Assistant Director Casey McCarty, and Todd Perkins of the Inhaler Project. We’re also meeting our interns on Wednesday the 14th, from 6:30-8:30pm, if you’d like to drop by CIF and listen in!
We’re looking for teachers!
We’re expanding our class offerings at the Idea Foundry. Got something you’d like to teach? We’d love to hear from you!
Save the Date!
Raspberry Jam
Nov 17, 10am-3pm
Etsy Bootcamp
Nov 18, 1-5 pm
Black Friday: Kids’ Shop Camp
Nov 23, 8:30am-5:30pm
Meet-Ups:
3D Printing
Wednesday, Nov 14, 7-10pm
Lock-Picking
Wednesday, Nov 21, 6-9pm
Upcoming Classes:
Learn to Forge Christmas Ornaments
Nov 8, 6:30-9:30pm
Introduction to Laser Cutting & Engraving
Nov 10, 9:30am-noon
Intermediate Arduino
Nov 12, 6:30-9:30pm
Corel for the Laser Cutter
Nov 13, 7:30-9:30pm
Woodshop Orientation
Nov 14, 6:30-9:30pm
MIG Welding and Plasma Cutting: Mini Grill
Nov 15, 6:30-10:30pm
Introduction to Black & White Darkroom Printing
Nov 17, noon-3pm
Basics of Leather Work
Nov 20, 6:30-9:30pm
Glass Slumping and Draping
Nov 27, 6:30-9:30pm
Jewelry-making Basics: Czech Glass workshop
Nov 28, 6:30-9:00pm
Thank You!
Over the last few months the Idea Foundry has witnessed a slow metamorphosis thanks to the leadership of our wonderful and committed members and staff. Our volunteers have given us countless hours of their time, leading tours, painting walls, and laying down our new gallery floor. Our new Assistant Director, Casey McCarty, is establishing a solid foundation for our day to day operations, and is helping to identify areas of new growth. And our interns have thrown their creative energy into new projects: from content creation and photography, to the web and graphic design work of our Art Director, Jeremy Tinianow. If you haven’t visited us recently, or seen our new website, you’ll be amazed by our progress!
—
Contributor: Nathan Allen
