Notes from March 2021 meeting of Pueblo Makes

Announcements

  • Pueblo Makes honored Sharon Rice as an Outstanding Woman, in the Library’s annual program: “As makerspace librarian at the Pueblo Library, Sharon has involved thousands of Pueblo residents of all ages in making. Her enthusiasm, her welcoming attitude, and her willingness to teach and learn are infectious. Sharon is an inspiration for Pueblo makers.”
  • The Southern Colorado Regional Quilt Show will be April 1st, 2nd & 3rd and the following week, 5th-10th at El Pueblo History Museum, 10-4 daily. We’re hoping to show 125-140 quilts. Masks and social distancing are required. Any questions, call Holly Vigil @ 303-919-6771.
  • Michelle from Ruby’s Market in Denver introduced herself; see https://rubysmarketdenver.com/, “Ruby’s Market is a multi-cultural artisan and food destination, incubating refugee, immigrant & indigenous entrepreneurs and supporting local businesses.” She is reaching out to help makers connect with customers. Contact her if you are interested in possible collaboration. Michelle@rubysmarketdenver.com.
  • Pueblo Food Project’s is partnering with the Pueblo Art Guild on a community food art show and on March 20th 1-3 p.m. they will host a live cheese carving featuring local sculptor Cristine Boyd from All Clay. Also, they will have a People’s Choice Award winner announcement from the displayed artwork.
  • Samantha Printy is the new manager of the store Creative Reuse of Pueblo, which will open at the beginning of April in the lobby of the Arts Alliance at 107 S Grand.
  • Jane said she forwarded Russ’s email about a potential maker space. Russ is talking with the Arts Alliance about using some of their space for the Pueblo Woodturners, but would like some partners in renting the space. Contact him at russnjen687@comcast.net if you are interested.
  • The new food market, Sunnyside Market on East 8th, needs volunteers during open hours and during inventory hours. You can volunteer online at  https://sunnysidemarket.org/
  • Added after the meeting: The grand opening of Designs by LaDoris will be Friday, 19 March, 5 PM, at Project Inspire Cooperative, 2828 Granada Blvd, Bldg 2.

Jane said she plans that the April meeting will be used for reports from groups on our projects.

Paula Robben, life coach, uses a program called Dream Builder to engage the left and right sides of the brain. She is also a business consultant for the SBDC, which has a great deal of help bur businesses. Classes in ecommerce start this week. See https://www.southerncoloradosbdc.org/  

While every successful business begins as a startup, not everyone wants to be a business. Paula said this session would help create a larger picture of what is possible for Pueblo Makes. Paula asked Jane if she has a vision for Pueblo Makes and Jane said a billboard on I-25 that says Pueblo Makes.

Paula said that life coaches and makers are creators. “I make people’s problems more solvable.” She urged us to respect others’ dreams. She said she was driving us to take a bigger leap.

She showed us a map of Pueblo’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. Pueblo has a lot of people who want to help. Pueblo Makes was a startup. It now has a website (pueblomakes.org) with direct links to resources for entrepreneurs. She urged everyone to send information to Jane (janemfraserphd@gmail.com) or Zach (zachmcollier@gmail.com) to be listed in the directory of makers. Every business goes through stages from Pre-Startup through Startup and Growth.

The quality of our life is determined by the quality of the questions we ask. Instead of focusing on, for example, how do I pay the rent, think in bigger questions.  What is the future potential and the highest vision for Pueblo Makes?

She reviewed the history of Thoreau’s experiment in living in the woods, resulting in the book Walden. Thoreau urges us to advance confidently in the direction of a dream. Put your trust in moving forward.

Paula showed us Time magazine covers describing problems that the world faces today, except that the covers were all from the 1970s, showing that we are still focused on those same problems. The problem is in the thinking about the problem. We need to define and design a dream. Some of the issue is marketing and some is our own personal perception of what is out there and how we are being perceived.

She asked us to contribute (in the chat box) one thing you long for in Pueblo Makes group:

  • Resource sharing/collaboration
  • Every member is thriving financially.
  • More people involved in Pueblo Makes
  • Finding my place
  • Reimagining the definition of a maker

She then asked us to contribute a discontent about Pueblo Makes:

  • Silo building
  • Preconceived ideas
  • Stereotypes
  • Lack of awareness of makers movement
  • People creating new organizations instead of working with existing ones.
  • Messaging

Discontents tells us what we do want. Instead of asking what we can’t do ask what are the things we CAN do? Take steps to move forward. Everything is created twice, first in thought, then physically.

What are 3 problems you want corrected with the maker economy within our community.

  • Change more zoning
  • Spaces where makes can work together and share.
  • Need circular economy thinking and waste streams recaptured or upcycled
  • Lack of apprenticeship programs
  • More access to STEM/STEAM learning
  • Lack of money
  • Spaces to work together, recycling/upcycling, getting youth involved
  • Makers appropriately
  • More business planning support
  • Strategic partnership building even during start-up phase

Next Paula asked us to focus on values. What is most important to Pueblo Makes?

  • Cooperation
  • Inclusivity
  • Innovation
  • Local
  • Helps makers become successful
  • Collaboration
  • Inclusion, availability, recognition
  • Creativity
  • Support
  • Integrity, honesty
  • Sharing
  • Diversity

She explained emotion as E(Energy in)motion. Most of us try to stop emotions, but emotions are a guidance system. If we are aware of them, we can give them names and address them. I am giving you permission to dream without limitations. Don’t judge anything coming up in your mind. Don’t evaluate in your mind. Who is going to pay for the billboard? Don’t ask all those questions. Just think what you want.

What is the greatest purpose for Pueblo Makes in this community?

  • Helping kids keep their creativity.
  • Relationship building
  • Support people in their creative endeavors
  • Promotion of the abundance of crafts in Pueblo
  • Operating as a platform of supportive services for Pueblo’s Makers and Artisans!
  • To recreate the Mini-Maker fair grounds experience that changed my whole perspective on interactive STEM learning and cross pollinate people’s ideas
  • Creativity to be recognized
  • Active Support, encouragement, mentoring, and facilitating
  • Create a sense of community that nurtures the soul
  • Constant education and networking value 🙂
  • IDEAS TO ACTION

Pueblo has been working on getting more jobs since the steel mill closed and many have done great work. This is a beautiful community of people who really care. We can grow jobs for makers.

Technology + Creativity = Innovation.

With creativity and a positive mind set, you can change your focus.

She next asked us: Why does that greater purpose matter to you?

  • Talk with no outcome is exhausting. Ideas to action matters because things are happening and getting done.
  • I emphasized the kids, because I think we turn off their creativity instead of growing it – and they are the future.
  • WHY – my girls and I joined 4-H after that event and experienced more life-changing skill building maker’s education – and exposed my kids to future job ideas they would have never thought of
  • Fruitful relationships that have helped to shape my direction in the last few months. I think this can be true for others also.
  • Creativity is movement and life
  • To be able to provide active solutions for people who say “I want to make or do x,y, or z but I don’t know how to get started… get supplies… find funding…”
  • Because creative, entrepreneurial, community-minded people need a universe of support and a sense of belonging.
  • Novelty factor was so amazing and memorable! mixing in ART with the STEM thinking, so many examples
  • Promotion of the craft to younger people.
  • Smile on a kids face
  • It’s all about evolution of  collective consciousness
  • Yes, succession planning within certain crafts

Taking baby steps is progress. Imagine this movement or this group. Would it look like a building? An event? Successful businesses? Or all of the above? Our dream should give Pueblo more life, align with our core values, cause the group to grow. We can look for help outside ourselves and find the good for others in this dream. This work done today can help us create a strong vision, initial plan, and steps to take for Pueblo Makes. This work helps to prioritize. The collective during this time is helping to see the bigger picture. What matters to everyone.

What is one step you are willing to take?

  • To be present and not just conscious
  • Collate this discussion for further discussion – and to guide our actions.
  • Form collaborations
  • Learn more about what it takes to go from ideas to business
  • Participating in specific groups
  • Yes, of course I want to be a player – that’s why I am here. 😉 I am building unique educational opportunities and my own business plans to support makers
  • Continue to show up and hear what is needed – continue to research new paths to success to share.
  • Offer mentorship
  • I’m new to you all but am here in the spirit of collaboration!

Paula again urged us to use the SBDC for help in starting a business. Her personal website is paularobben.com, and she can be reached at paula.paularobben.com or 719-250-1324. Paula’s associate Susie (who joined us from Virginia) urged us to look at many sources for resources.  In the for profit world, many are more than willing to share, at low or no cost, equipment, expertise, and volunteer hours. They will be doing personal vision workshops on 7 and 8 April 7 and 8; see https://paularobben.com/vision-workshop/. They also offer “Talk to the coach,” ½ hour free consultation.

Gregory, who has spent about one-third of his life in Japan, noted that in Japanese society, a group will spend years building consensus and may have a 100 year plan. The American approach is to define a mission in a rush, but then fun into problems in implementing. He recalled the first Pueblo Makes meeting at CSU-Pueblo, where no one owned the room. Then it is the responsibility of the collective mindset. We haven’t had necessity to come up with mission. We chug away. That is consensus building. COVID has slowed us down. He expressed the hope that we not return to the old normal, but reimagine. He said the Pueblo question, where did you go to high school, should be followed by the question, what do you make, which catches people off guard and makes them think.  

Jane commented on the growth in the group, with about 120 on list including 40 who were at any meeting in last year. Some of you keep coming back to the meetings.

Sharon said she loves this group because we are collaborators. She has been able to hire about 5 or 6 people from this group. Other maker groups give lip service, but don’t want to help others grow. She said Pueblo Makes is her library of people. Gregory said that librarians are social entrepreneurs.

Elliott asked Paula how she makes problems more solvable. Paula and Susie emphasized asking the right questions. Susie said that people spend too much time problem solving. One should think for 55 minutes about the right question, then 5 minutes on the right answer, but we have been taught to do the opposite.

Jane said that Paula had asked us great questions, that she will collate the responses, and use the idea to help Pueblo Makes move forward.  

Notes from February 2021 meeting of Pueblo Makes

The meeting focused on the topic of teaching online classes and creating videos. At our January meeting we identified this topic as one we want to work on. As Karen said then, “consider offering short courses; while others may already be teaching such a course, your voice might reach someone. “

Pat Montoya (see Before You Forget: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkCJj6xiMvi3jsf33hnCOjA) uses his channel as his outlet for creativity, including episodes in a father/son adventure blog. The YouTube collection of videos and its user base are huge; YouTube is the second largest search engine after google. He urged us to stay as genuine as possible, to start with an idea and then make videos. Get the first few videos up, get off the ground, and then gather momentum. Many people have anxiety about starting. Get the foundation right and then you can pivot to different topics later. You can also have two or more channels for different topics. He said that a lot of people reuse content but he advocated for making organic content. You can also use YouTube to draw people’s interest to other platforms, but be sure to be honest and genuine with everything. People want lifestyle stories, for example, healthy practices. Videos can be made from your phone, your tablet, your laptop, or with a simple camera; Pat uses a GoPro Hero8, but started with his iPhone. If you use audio content from someone else, make sure it is not copyrighted. You can subscribe (follow) other people and that list shows up on the left side of your YouTube page.

YouTube videos are available for free, although they can be restricted to be available only to people who have the link. Various platforms are available to sell your short course: Activingo, Teachable, Patreon.

Jane has created a channel for Pueblo Makes (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY4FwJymbXk8p7A14UEvVUQ) but she is not sure about how she intends to use it. She mentioned perhaps having makers interview each other or spotlighting a maker each month. and Pat liked that idea. The Arts Alliance also has a channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOeC9mlQDWHHdCshZ5g4bhA.

LaDoris announced that her business Designs by LaDoris will have a grand reopening with the Pueblo West Chamber of Commerce at Project Inspire, 19 March, 5 PM. Gregory is working with Ladoris through Project Inspire to create master classes, starting with three on how to sew a hem, how to sew a button, and how to put in a zipper. Gregory said that classes can be a source of revenue. You can charge a fee per class. You can put short videos on YouTube as a teaser and then in the information section on YouTube for that video, you can have a link to take people to register for the class. There are appropriate places for a tutorial and for paid content. He mentioned Vimeo and said Project Inspire is using Squarespace as a platform. He said that 1 March he will have an announcement concerning Masterclasses. Other useful platforms are Activingo and Teachable. Each has nuances for how they can be used and they differ in costs.  Gregory recommended that the Pueblo Makes web page could have a section on these resources.

We discussed the role of the library and possible studios for making videos. Karen is working on one to be located at the Arts Alliance. There is also equipment available at the library, which is not reopened yet, but should be soon. Contact Sharon Rice for information.

Gregory discussed embedding story tellers in Pueblo’s organizations as a guerrilla operation. For example, Pat is doing that at Evraz and Gregory asked us to let him know of other organizations that need story tellers.  “Someone has to tell that story.” Pueblo doesn’t tell its own story well and we need to do that.

Caroline, CSU-Pueblo art professor, demonstrated techniques she is doing to teach studio classes during COVID. She said everyone is stressed, but she was excited and “I love disruption” because opportunities will emerge. The Arts have become prominent with lockdown. People want to watch ballet online, read books, see art. Since General Education courses require including seven topics, including wellness, she recognizes the anxiety, stress, and illness of students but also the opportunity. To create you have to be well. Everyone is in a different situation but coming together via zoom. She teaches drafting, drawing. perspective, shade, creativity. Don’t expect online to be like studio, but in some ways it is better. Since students are used to getting information from the computer anyway, she builds on that. As a student she looked at art in books or had to pay a lot to visit the Art Institute in Chicago, but now students have art works at their fingertips.

For figure drawing, she doesn’t use a live model, but she uses YouTube to show, for example, a sumo wrestling match. She then stops the video and everyone draws the same view. Then everyone shows their work and gives suggestions. On the screen she can show students postures, angles of body parts, and measurements.

She uses the street view on Google maps to teach when and how to use one-point and two-point perspective. Usually in such a class everyone has a different perspective of the view of an artificial object such as a cube, but with Google street view everyone has the same view of a real object such as a building. Everyone can stand at the same point in the road.

Since not everyone has access to the same materials (such as painting tools) she wants to promote wellness and creativity by enabling everyone to participate and feel good. She showed a color wheel created with home objects and a portrait created from found objects, which takes imagination. For her art appreciation class, she had students go outside and draw a map of sounds you hear and where they are coming from. Show us your perception from your location. She praised Zoom for helping us lose sense of place and for it as a way to connect to one another.

Pat echoed the role of creativity in creating happiness. LaDoris said she has her granddaughters draw something in nature. Caroline talked about being energetic with what you are doing, getting a sense of place back while crazy things are happening. She showed artist James Ensor’s painting self-portrait with mask and then asked the students to make masks.  

She has experimented with what she looks like using a green screen without a green screen. She showed a video of moving with a tree background, which could then be made into a drawing. She used a mushroom background video to be part human and part mushroom and another from a moving car to eat the road. (Karen called these examples “the best use of zoom I’ve ever seen.”) Caroline urged us to work with you have, with what you can do.

Caroline challenged her students to devise the best way to convey a drawing. In person, a student would just show a charcoal drawing to classmates but in digital format, features like texture are missing.  Some made drawings into videos. Others turned poems into animation with drawings. All students read the same story, then drew their impressions.

Caroline uses the game exquisite corpse. In person, each draws a part of a body on a folded up piece of paper, which is then opened up to reveal the whole drawing. Online, students put sections in chat, then put them together. Then students redraw the drawing as a whole

Caroline doesn’t spend the whole class on zoom. There can be time to work on your own and come back with questions. Don’t take up all their time.  If they have questions, they will come to you.

Elliott, who does online coaching, said that not having face-to-face contact means he has to rely on other mental faculties including intuition.  Caroline said she feels a little closer to the students because they’re not distracted, they are right here. We talk about the pandemic, my neck is killing me, we trade stretches. Standing in front of classroom, I’m the expert. How do you believe what I say? Working via zoom is more equal; the person who is talking is the expert. It is very freeing because we can focus on the matter at hand and make the best artwork possible.  I don’t like what it does to the body. I miss people. But there are benefits.

Drew thanked the members of Pueblo Makes who served as judges for the remote STEM fair., this year all in individual, not team, projects. 24 students are moving on to regionals.

Next month at our meeting on 16 March, Paula Robben will lead us in a Vision Lab using the Dream Builder program in which we consult our hearts and minds to create a vision for makers and making in Pueblo.

January 2021 meeting of Pueblo Makes

Drew reminded people of the PSAS virtual STEM Fair this Thursday 21 Jan. If you signed up to be a judge, you will receive an email on Wednesday giving a link to the videos with a Google form to assess each video from Thursday through Sunday. Three judges will judge each video, by grade level. This year, due to COVID, all students did individual projects, not teams.  

Nathan Stern (nstern@broadstreetrealty.com) from Broad Street Realty in Denver spoke to us about planned development in the old Holmes Hardware Building (44 S Union Avenue), down Union Avenue from the Rawlings Library. He described his Pueblo connection (his great aunt worked for the steel mill) and the way he fell in love with Pueblo. He and his business partner Zach did various brokerage arrangements here, and he has sold property here, but after noticing the success of food halls in nurturing new restaurant in Denver, he decided to work on a food hall as a way for restaurateurs to get a concept off the ground, then open in their own place. On 3 March 2020 he put the Holmes Hardware Building under contract and shortly after that every restaurant in Pueblo shut down. This delay turned out to be a blessing since it gave him time to work on this project.

He showed us a presentation on the project (https://www.dropbox.com/s/gjjgv9vblnyg26x/Concept%20Deck%20-%20Fuel%20%26%20Iron%20-%2011.23.20.pdf?dl=0) including the history of the building.  Its location is ideal for drawing people down Union Avenue from the Riverwalk. He described the phases, starting with residential units (18 1-bedroom apartments, 18 2-bedroom, and 2 studios, unfurnished) on the top floors of the building, then the food hall, event space, urban farm, performing arts space (under the Union Ave bridge) and more residential units (working with IndieDwell). He hopes that the project will be catalytic. As people see this success, it will encourage more housing in the urban core. The downtown can’t be successful if no one lives there. The project will include many spaces for public art, including public art in the plaza, ornamental metal gates, an art wall, and more. The urban farm will include a playground.

The food hall will be all local companies. The project will operate the bar in the center of the food hall, leasing out five restaurant spaces and a coffee shop. It is intended that restaurants would be in the food hall for 2 to 3 years, and then open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Pueblo. Since the food hall will include kitchen facilities and equipment, a start-up food vendor will need only signage, a menu (usually about six items), and specialty equipment, requiring roughly $20,000 to start instead of millions. Food halls tend to be profitable, allowing the start ups to establish a concept, gain a customer base, and save up money to open a restaurant. With housing on site, employees could live nearby.

Contractor bids are due back 5 February. Depending on those bids, he thinks they have sufficient investment to proceed and plans to close on the building on 7 April. The construction will be done in two phases to comply with requirements for state tax credits for historic buildings. The residential units should be done in January 2022 and the food hall in July 2022.

Nathan asked for feedback and ideas.

LaDoris asked about the connection with Watertower Place. Nathan said the two projects are complementary, since Watertower Place plans to have full scale restaurants, food retail, and a commissary kitchen, none of which will be in the Holmes Hardware building.  Keating School also plans to focus on retail. He said they want to be good partner and are also working with the Food Project. LaDoris and Nathan will talk about the potential for LaDoris to supply aprons and chef caps.

He said they have most of the money needed, but not all and they are providing an opportunity for people to invest as little as $100 through https://wefunder.com/fuelandiron. In response to Zach’s questions, Nathan explained the funding of the total cost of $14.5 million. $9 million through three different loans. Of the remaining $5.5 million in equity. $3 million is raised through tax credit equity programs, federal and state. Since state credits are capped at $1 million per phase and one phase must be finished before the next starts, the residential floors will open in January 2022, and then the Food Hall in July.  

Karen described to Nathan that the building is located within a portion of the Pueblo Creative Corridor (https://www.puebloarts.org/pueblo-creative-corridor/) and that the Pueblo Arts Alliance (https://www.puebloarts.org/) does group marketing for the area. She will help Nathan connect with creatives. The project will also have a gallery of historic photos.

Drew offered that his students at PSAS (https://www.psask8.org/) have expertise in designing playgrounds and can give him feedback. Nathan encouraged that connection since the playground will be in the urban farm which is viewed as an educational piece. Nathan is already connected with Deric.

Ryan Madic will be the first intern from CSU-Pueblo and there are plans to involve PCC and CSU-Pueblo. Pueblo students will be able to see a career path in food businesses. Paula suggested he connect with Brian Estrada, the new director of the SBDC, who did catering at PCC. Four of the six food hall locations are signed already. Amanda described the customized workforce training PCC can provide.

Nathan said he has already bought 48 mugs from Tuxedo Ranch. Jean discussed the potential to do events to coordinate volunteers to work on the playground and garden, involving adults and youth. Nathan liked the idea. The group suggested that Taylor Blanchard (https://www.facebook.com/Journeymans-Upholstery-168546867414064/) might be able to provide furniture. Nathan said there will be need for over 200 chairs and 50 to 100 tables. Formulary 55 might be able to provide products for the bathroom. Karen volunteered to provide another bath products business also.

Nathan is in Pueblo once a week so email him (nstern@broadstreetrealty.com) if you want to discuss collaboration on the project.

Karen updated the group on progress on the store to be opened in the lobby of the Arts Alliance Building, to accept donations of creative and making supplies: Creative Reuse Pueblo. Progress is being made in cleaning out the warehouse, creating a list of what we can take and not take, policies for volunteers, etc. The store will start with volunteer managers, eventually paid. A local artist is creating a logo. The official announcement will be at the end of February, but donations already coming in. Also, she reminded us that the Arts Alliance online store is up and running (https://www.puebloarts.org/shop-local-art/). To be listed there, send info to Karen (karen@puebloarts.org). For Pueblo Makes members, there is a 10% commission only on sales, not on shipping. The vendor must handle shipping.  

Jane described an opportunity to advertise online classes through Activingo (https://activingo.com/?i). She, Bill, and Elliott have their EJB Partners offerings on that website, and perhaps Pueblo Makes and the Arts Alliance could collaborate on a storefront there. Karen talked about the video studio being set up at the Arts Alliance which will help people make videos. Karen said she recently took a course on giving webinars and she encouraged all of us to consider offering short courses; while others may already be teaching such a course, your voice might reach someone. Russ pointed to Lucid Woodturners (https://www.lucidwoodturners.com/) as a resource to help learn about teaching online. Jane mentioned Gia Goodrich’s video on how to look good online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljySr6s6Lqk. The group was very interested in teaching online and we will focus the February meeting on resources for offering online classes.

Jane said she had checked with Alan of the City of Pueblo about the possible zoning change to allow small batch manufacturing in certain areas (for example, on Main Street); the proposal is on hold until an inventory of historic buildings is complete. She described the idea of making Main Street a maker/creative friendly location and there was interest in pursuing that idea. LaDoris described a vision including childcare for workers.  Paula volunteered to run a session to expand that vision, which we will plan to do at the March meeting.

LaDoris announced that Project Inspire (https://www.projectinspire.community/) will have an event on 6 Feb with a Valentine’s Day theme where vendors can sell products.

Pueblo Makes meets the third Tuesday of each month, 3:30-5 pm, via zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84158525191?pwd=K1lsQWRSQy83Q1NLVXZxQzlBOUw2Zz09)

The next meeting dates and tentative topics are:

  • 16 February – online teaching of art and making classes
  • 16 March – vision for creative/maker Main Street: Making on Main Street

August 2020 meeting of Pueblo Makes

At the 18 August 2020 meeting, we heard from four makers about making with metal.

Catie Blickhahn, of Elysian Evrimata,  (elysianevrimata@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/elysianevrimata, www.elysianevrimata.com, @elysianevrimata) showed us jewelry she makes with lost wax casting, resin casting, stone cutting, and other methods.

She sells her work at Steel City Art Works Gallery (216 South Union, www.facebook.com/SteelCityArtWorksGallery/, www.steelcityartworks.org/) She has been experimenting with making videos of the making process in order to attract buyers.  For her honors minor at CSU-Pueblo, she is studying how to market as artists in an ever changing landscape. She is also doing a marketing minor.

Ryan Gardner, of Ryan Gardner Designs (www.ryangardnerdesigns.com/ @ryangardnerdesigns) is also a co-owner of the Center for Metal Arts (625 South Union Avenue,  info@coloradometalarts.com www.facebook.com/ColoradoCenterforMetalArts/  www.coloradocenterformetalarts.com/). The center helps people at all levels of skills from those who have never done metal work through professional. They are planning a soft opening in November for a gallery in the front part of building.  

He showed us his own bench (above) and the large collection of shared equipment for lapidary and metal working. They teach classes and workshops in many different techniques. They just added an AV system that will allow for live streaming and online videos as well. They do have open studio times when people learning to make jewelry can have access to all equipment. They can also set up one-on-one sessions. Their goals are to “have fun and share what we do.” Four artists are in the studio full time and Ryan showed some of his work.

The above piece is optical quartz, carved on the back and inlaid with gold leaf; the stone is amethyst and the circle is oxidized sterling silver. Michael Boyd, one of the other owners, is known for his stone work. Ryan said that classes are offered on various schedules, including someone the evening, although COVID has meant that classes have been postponed. Most classes are appropriate for beginners; classes and workshops needed more knowledge are clearly labeled.

Jeff Madeen owns Bloback Gallery (131 Spring Street, blobackgallery@gmail.com www.facebook.com/blobackgallery/  www.blobackgallery.com/)and makes art work from metal and other material, including found objects.

The above photograph shows a natural casting from a forest fire.

Jeff just finished the above piece after 9 years.  Several shows are ongoing at BloBack Gallery of the work of other artists. He also showed us larger pieces that are on the sidewalk outside of the gallery, including a piece titled Pueblo DNA and an 8-inch howitzer, cut and welded into a peace symbol. He said he can work from a set design (using Vectorworks on the computer) but finds that boring. “I’d rather not know where I’m going to end up.” He is mostly at BloBack Gallery 10 to 5 every day but Monday, but sometimes runs errands.

Ryan McWilliams, owner of Johnny’s Metal Works and Boiler Shop (303 South Santa Fe, ryan@i-engr.com www.facebook.com/pages/Johnnys-Boiler-Shop/148081365236068  www.johnnysboiler.com/). They have made some objects at Watertower Place using repurposed materials such as the chain on this staircase below.

Johnny’s specializes in doing the hard things that others can’t do. They have a wide variety of equipment, such as a big press brake, plate rollers, big shears, a water jet (photo below), and automated saws.

They do tasks that are out of the norm, anything you can think of in heavy iron. They have a lot of customers with two pieces that are supposed to be one piece. They recently did work for a multi billion dollar company, also recently repaired a titanium wheelchair, and are currently doing a project for a group of artists in Colorado Springs.

Cathy Valenzuela, who owns Tuxedo Ranch, (https://www.tuxedoranch.com/, custom promotional material) described that Johnny’s also makes artistic things, such as the steel model of the light tower made for Urban Authority to commemorate the expansion of convention center (see photo below).

Dave Pump gave a shout out for Johnny’s for help in putting together the kinetic sculpture at Project Inspire, the new venture of Pueblo Diversified Industries (www.projectinspire.community/).  

Paula Robben offered the services of SBDC (www.southerncoloradosbdc.org/) to all the makers, and some had already used them or planned to.

After the presentation we heard updates from others in the group. Emily Gradisar announced that Ticktock Pueblo (ticktockpueblo.com/ www.facebook.com/ticktockpueblo/ @ticktockpueblo) is moving to a new, bigger location, next door to Bistoro at Central Plaza, and will offer more and larger work and maker spaces, with five or six spaces on the ground floor and more downstairs. There will be no commission on sales, only a flat rent.

Amanda Corum (Executive Director Pueblo Corporate College, 719-549-3163,
Amanda.Corum@pueblocc.edu) said activity has been slow at PCC due to COVID. She announced that a state training program is again available. She and her staff can help with filling out the application to get funds to train existing and new staff; the training can be done by the community college, by a third party, or as internal training.

Kayci Barnett, Giodone Branch Manager (www.pueblolibrary.org/node/224941), said they will expand hours in next month, allowing for longer computer sessions. They are continuing curb side pick up and crafts to go for the kids.  Sharon Rice, makerspace librarian at Rawlings (www.pueblolibrary.org/Ideafactory) said they have had some requests for 3D printing, but the space is closed now because furniture is stored there. In September there will be kits available for pick up.  

Paula suggested making a directory of Pueblo Makers and good discussion followed. Many makers want to help others. Jane will work with Zach on a way to add such listings at www.pueblomakes.com.

Pueblo Makes meets the third Tuesday of each month by zoom, 3:30-5 pm. The next meeting will be September 15. The link is always https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84158525191?pwd=K1lsQWRSQy83Q1NLVXZxQzlBOUw2Zz09. Please send your comments and suggestions about Pueblo Makes to janemfraserphd@gmail.com.

July 2020 meeting of Pueblo Makes

Susan Parker described Project Inspire Cooperative, the brain child of Dave Pump, CEO of PDI. The Project provides job exploration and actual jobs for people with diverse abilities. The grand opening is this Friday, 24 July, 6-9 pm, with early bird specials from 4-6.  The Chambers of Commerce will do a ribbon cutting. There will be drawings, discounts, a BBQ food truck, ice cream, and beer and wine. Six artisans are currently part of the Cooperative, including Ladoris Burton. The event will be completely COVID compliant, including temp check with masks. Enter from Prairie Blvd, near the southside Lowe’s. You can also shop on line at projectinspire.community.

Jen Johnston is the 4-H Youth Development agent with CSU Extension in Pueblo. Originally from Pueblo, Jen joined Extension here in September 2019. She loves what she does. She described 4-H including its positive impacts on youth and then several people (Lois, Elliott, Gregg) talked about their involvement in 4-H and its huge positive effect on their lives. Year-long 4-H projects for each member cover a range of topics, such as gardening, rocketry, clothing, leadership, vet science, dog training, photography, on and on. There is a project for every kid. The 4-H philosophy is “Learning by doing” which fits perfectly with Pueblo Makes. Participants must keep a record and reflect on their learning.  Virtual programming due to COVID has included a live chicken cam to watch chicks hatch and a Youtube channel. They are holding a virtual county fair now. Jen’s contact info is: Jen Johnston, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, Colorado State University – Pueblo County, 701 Court St. Suite C, Pueblo, CO 81003-3064, Work Phone: (719) 583-6566, Email: johnstonje@pueblocounty.us. They are always looking for volunteers.

Emily Gradisar described changes happening at TickTock Pueblo, including moving to 111 Central Plaza (next to Bistoro), eliminating the café, still offering classes, still providing space for makers to rent (with more and bigger spaces at the new location), and the introduction of the opportunity for people to buy art kits for making, either on site or at home. TickTock will purchase kits from local artists (not commission, purchased outright) to support local artists. Talk to Emily if you have an idea for kits; she will be doing bulk buying of common components and wants to avoid duplication in kits. Email Emily at info@ticktockpueblo.com for inquiries about workspaces or kits.

Ina Bernard, the co-owner of Artisan Textile Company, described the company’s roots in the hand weaving sale each winter at the Vail Hotel. ATC, located in the Mesa junction at 121 Broadway Avenue (next to Gypsy Java), has weaving, knitting, felting, lace making, paper making, and more made by artists who sell on consignment. Currently there are two artists in residence. She showed us many products including yarn in various Pueblo colors, hand knitted pullovers, shawls, scarves, jewelry, cards, candles, honey, and soaps, all hand made by local artists.

Gregg White, the department chair of the PCC Advanced Manufacturing program, described his family roots in manufacturing, including a blacksmith ancestor. He came to Pueblo 22 years ago as a machinist and has been at PCC for 18 years. Machinists build everything you touch, or at least had a hand in it. Advanced Manufacturing is a traditional 2-year program open to everyone who wants to work with their hands. The demand for graduates is great all over the country. Students learn how to use hand tools up to lathes, mills, CNC, CAD, and CAM.  It is a wide and diverse field, like the Pueblo Makes group.  Tim described his training in the program, including Gregg’s taking students to Kansas City for a competition. One PCC group (precision machining) placed first in the nation and another group placed second. Gregg recommend the videos at Edge Factor. Gregg can be contacted at Gregg.white@pueblocc.edu.

Drew is now principal at PSAS (cue applause) and is planning for fall during this strange time. They will be doing some education in person and also some offerings online for families. They will continue to provide opportunities for kids to make and to connect kids with experts in the field by remote connection. No parents or volunteers will be allowed in the building. They have maker materials in the school. Drew can be contacted at dhirshon@psas.ws.

Jane described a small group she has pulled together to support makerspaces in Pueblo. They are working on a directory of such spaces. She also suggested that Pueblo Makes can support families in home schooling. Tim announced that Steel City Makers decided, in the current climate and considering financials, to disband. We are exploring other ways to use available resources in makerspaces, including Lane’s excellent woodworking and other equipment. Zach reminded us to use Reddit to connect and share ideas.

Pueblo Makes meets the third Tuesday of each month. The August Pueblo Makes meeting will be Tuesday, 18 August, 3:30-5 pm via zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84158525191?pwd=K1lsQWRSQy83Q1NLVXZxQzlBOUw2Zz09

The video recording of this meeting will be available until 18 August at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/yMVfBOzVyjJJeYn29H7cVawsRbXnaaa81SlL-6BbxEoi3clRQvtIIirzXjd0PQ_I

Pueblo Makes meeting 16 June 2020

On 16 June, about 28 makers and supporters met via Zoom for the monthly meeting of Pueblo Makes, with three agenda items: commenting on the proposed zoning change in Pueblo to allow small-scale production, hearing from makers who use fabric, and and giving updates.

Alan Lamberg and Beritt Odom, senior planners with the Pueblo City Planning & Community Development Department, presented information on a possible zoning change. The proposal would allow small-scale production facilities in the Central Business (B-4), Historic Business (H-B), and Commercial Charter Neighborhood (CCN) Zone Districts as long as the facility meets certain conditions (including the containment of noise, odor, etc.; public interaction; mitigation of the impact of truck traffic; and certain restrictions on the façade). Please provide comments before July 24, 2020. See https://www.pueblo.us/2601 for more information and https://opendata-puebloco.hub.arcgis.com/app/cebc60d8bb04428a91cf10e8c7f303f4 for the zoning map.

We discussed the potential of this change for small-scale urban gardening, the effect of the change on established businesses, the types of public interaction, the change as a way to occupy vacant buildings in the B-4 areas, the interaction of production with other parts of a business (e.g. instruction), interaction with historic preservation, interaction with the Superfund sites (the areas do overlap), and zoning for makerspaces.

We then heard from makers who make with fabric. Holly Vigil is President of the Pride City Quilt Guild, founded in 1985; see https://pridecityquilters.org/. She talked about the history of quilt guilds, which exist to teach quilting. The Pride City Quilt Guild members quilt for various groups, participate in the State Fair, and meet monthly with speakers who teach techniques. An example of her quilt art was hanging on the wall behind her:

LaDoris Burton has owned Designs by LaDoris, Pueblo West, for about three years; see https://www.facebook.com/designsbyladoris/.  She started with alterations, and is busiest with weddings and proms. She has been making face masks instead recently and is working on tapestry totes and an apparel line. She showed us her 4th of July face masks and some bags. She will be working with PDI in their new Project Inspire (see below for that announcement), including teaching classes there. She moved here from Buffalo to join her son and his family and she praised the Pueblo community for being so welcoming.

Kelly Mattson, owner of Kelly J’s Sewing Center and Quilt Shop in Colorado City, https://www.kellyjssewingcenter.com/ since 2018, moved here from Duluth, where she had a shop. She described the incredibly warm welcome she has gotten here. She teaches classes (she is exploring doing some on Zoom). She specializes in quilt-shop-only fabric, that is, fabric not available in stores like Joann’s or Hobby Lobby. She is involved in the Scrappy Ladies Quilt Guild and showed us their raffle quilt. She designs patterns, is a Bernina dealer, and services all makes of machines.

Taylor Blanchard owns Journeyman’s Upholstery located in TickTock; see https://www.facebook.com/Journeymans-Upholstery-168546867414064/. Taylor showed us a recent acquisition, a 1941 Singer sewing machine, “easily the best machine I have every worked on.” He is doing work for the barber shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as for residential customers, especially recovering antiques. He discussed working with vinyl fabrics and showed us some tufting he did recently. He also has plans to add a wood shop and do furniture building as well. He can incorporate 3D printing and laser engraving, such as engraved vinyl. Emily, owner of TickTock recommended Taylor as a teacher. Taylor offered wholesale prices for fabrics he is able to purchase through recent contracts he has arranged.

In updates, Master Gardener Deric talked about his videos on making masa and tortillas. See

Part 1 – https://www.facebook.com/PuebloArts/videos/3163142193706896/

Part 2 – https://www.facebook.com/PuebloArts/videos/658047994925597/

He also described edible landscape installations in Central Plaza and Sister City Plaza. All Pueblo Grows meets via Zoom the last Saturday of each month at 9:30am. On June 27 they will focus on  fall gardening, which is possible in Pueblo. He got a grant for $700 from the Pueblo Food Project to have Russ Dewey, from the Pueblo Woodturners, make 10 more seed library boxes. He asked for people who would have a box on their property, as well as for organic and heirloom seeds.

Susan announced a grand opening for the Project Inspire Cooperative on July 24, 6-9 pm, 2828 Granada Blvd, with food trucks, music, and lots of fun. They are still looking for artisans. See www.projectinspire.community.

Joette described changes at Bistoro Restaurant (109 Central Plaza), which will include a grocery section with fresh produce and hot-and-ready meals, and a supper club. They will be doing events and productions.

Sharon announced that the library will be open soon for computer appointments, with 12 computers at 45 minute increments, from noon to 6 pm at the main location and other arrangements at the locations in the County.

Kelly announced that grant applications are being written on urban gardening and the Pueblo Food Project so we may be able to offer hands on education around horticulture and food.

Jane said she plan to continue having Pueblo Makes meetings focus on a particular type of making, such as metal arts, car customizing, and making with words.

The recording of this meeting will be available for one month at: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/xO9EcYHr9E1IHtLEtX_hS5A9PJXpX6a82iQeq6YNmk4xJ7hlkHhFiNaTuAqq82kN  with Access Password: 8g@#3+w*

The next meeting is Tuesday, 3:30-5 pm, July 21. Email janemfraserphd@gmail.com to be added to the email list to receive a Zoom invitation.

The Pueblo Food Project

On May 27 I participated in a Zoom meeting (with 33 other people) concerning the Pueblo Food Project, run by Monique Marez (MMarez@pueblo.us), and I am sending this email to highlight some opportunities that may interest Pueblo Makes people.

1.The Pueblo Food Project will be putting out a call and application process soon for a Youth Council. Jenn White has been using students for Grow Feed Change project. They will be looking for about 15 youth, ages 15 to 20 across educational tiers, with the group first convening in August. Jenn (info@wearefarmily.org ) might know more and
Drew (dhirshon@psas.ws) might have students who want to participate.


2. The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger (https://www.endhungerco.org/) has several working groups (https://www.endhungerco.org/blueprint-goal-workgroups) on the various goals of the Blueprint. Volunteer here: https://www.endhungerco.org/stay-in-touch. Since all meetings are online, it is easier for people outside of the Denver area to participate now. No one from Pueblo is participating regularly and such participation is needed.

3. The SAME cafe in Denver (So All May Eat, a donation/volunteer cafe, successful for 14 years) wants to replicate their model in Pueblo. They want to hire a local community connector and champion who will work with them for a year to find a location, pull partners together, and do fundraising with Brad Reubendale (brad@soallmayeat.org), Executive Director. I suggested PDI as a partner. Contact Brad if you are interested.

4. Mo Montgomery with the Culinary Arts program at PCC (https://www.pueblocc.edu/Programs/CUA/) is looking for internship opportunities for their students. Each intern needs 180 hours work by December 2020. Contact her at mo.montgomery@pueblocc.edu if you can offer a position that is food related. I don’t think they need to be paid positions.

Pueblo Makes people Paula Robben (Paula.Robben@pueblocc.edu) and Kelly Gehlhof(kellyphgs@gmail.com), maybe others, are on the Pueblo Food Council so may have more info on these initiatives if you need it. I noticed that Meral Sarper (meral.sarper@gmail.com), Deric Stowell (dericnsd@gmail.com), and Jim Valenzuela (dr.jimvalenzuela@gmail.com ) were also on the call this morning, maybe others.

The next Pueblo Makes meeting is Tuesday, 16 June, 3:30-5, via zoom.

All Pueblo Grows

I just got off the monthly zoom meeting with master gardener Deric Stowell of All Pueblo Grows and it was great! If you have any questions, contact him on Facebook and attend the next session. the last Saturday of each month. https://www.facebook.com/AllPuebloGrows/ Topics we discussed today:

Here is a link to the recording. https://drive.google.com/file/d/12-dTrSclUmnpwshfwLk0xq9lWakA1c-u/view?usp=sharing
The next session will be on June 27 at 9:30.

We are lucky to have such expertise. Thank you, Deric.

Pueblo Makes February meeting

Dave Pump and the crew from Pueblo Diversified Industries set a new, HIGH, bar for speakers at Pueblo Makes at our Feb 15 meeting. Dave gave us an overview of PDI past, present, and future, including especially their new Project: Inspire Cooperative, and then Yorell Diamond, Susan Parker, and Heather Pump gave us material for making a ceramic disk (which will be fired and returned to us at the next meeting) and for making a card from recycled paper.

PDI has served people with diverse abilities for over 50 years. See https://pdipueblo.org/. They provide pathways of opportunities for people to thrive. Their five key values are: community, dignity, innovation, joy, and tenacity. They seek to change the way we think about people with diverse abilities. They are accredited by the Center on Quality and Leadership (see https://c-q-l.org/). The Project: Inspire Cooperative is a worker owned cooperative with artisans (who own a product line, currently paper products and ceramic products), specialists, apprentices, and investors and general membership. Space is available for makers.

James Cooper (from La Veta) couldn’t make the meeting due to the bad roads, but emailed me to say that his wife cried at how pretty the card was he got her at P:IC for Valentine’s Day.

In other updates, Kurt alerted us to the April 3 and 4 Southern Colorado entrepreneurial showcase and competition. Janet talked about events at Pueblo House, especially the radio. Drew updated us on PSAS activities. Tyler and Gregory said that April is film making month in Pueblo and will have a big focus on makers. April 17 opening night will be at the library and the big event April 18 will be at Memorial Hall. Deric talked about activities of the Pueblo Urban Farming Network. I am sure I missed some other comments. We are doing so much making!

Please send me information on upcoming events and I will add them to the calendar at https://pueblomakes.com/.

We talked about getting more Pueblo Makes swag. Cathy’s company Tuxedo Ranch can put the logo on water bottles, notebooks, pens, tools, etc. Zach said that the 6-color logo cannot be printed by any T-shirt company in Pueblo. Someone volunteered to look at reworking the logo (sorry, I missed who said that).

We discussed and agreed that we should share information about issues that affect makers (such as the May 5 ballot question on whether to end the Black Hills Energy franchise agreement with Pueblo City). We discussed, but reached no conclusion, about taking a stance on such issues, including also the need for artists to make artistic decisions, such as on art for the levee murals.

I said I am consulting with David Russell on the legal form that Pueblo Makes should have. I will change my individual membership in the LCC to a nonprofit membership for Pueblo Makes. A quilt group has asked me to be a judge in a competition this spring, on behalf of Pueblo Makes.

On a personal note, Kurt mentioned at the meeting that he and I started this group about two years ago – thank you to him for urging me to call that first meeting – and I am thrilled by how we are growing and supporting each other.

We have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PuebloMakes and a subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/PuebloMakes/. Email me at janemfraserphd@gmail.com to be on the mailing list.