Craftsman MAKEcation 2015
Imagine walking into the ultimate warehouse workshop, stocked with every tool you could think of, raw materials ready to build, and great instructors willing to help you learn new skills.
That is exactly what we encountered when we arrived in Brooklyn for Craftsman MAKEcation 2015. Working on the Internet, as we do, limits the amount of time we have to work with our hands and make things. So we jumped at the chance to join Craftsman at their annual event when presented with the opportunity to cover MAKEcation, the ultimate makers getaway.
“The Craftsman brand embodies our drive to make. At our inaugural 2014 Craftsman MAKEcation event, we celebrated creators from all walks of life – whether they were blacksmiths, woodworkers or even famous musicians,” said Ryan Ostrom, chief marketing officer, Craftsman. “This year, we’re kicking the action up a notch by drawing from an even bigger pool of world-renowned innovators and taking the program to Brooklyn, which is a true maker’s mecca.”
Attendees win their way to MAKEcation by joining the Craftsman Club, but once we arrived on site, we were all tossed into the same gritty warehouse together to innovate with muscle, wood, fire and steel. Under the guidance of highly skilled expert instructors, we tackled a series of projects in different areas of the warehouse shop. Check them out in the photo gallery below :
Leatherwork : Belt
Will Lisak of ETWAS taught us about the nearly forgotten art of leatherwork.
We each made our own leather belts.
Woodwork : Coathooks
Master Craftsman, Rob North, Led us in a unique woodworking project.
For some reason measuring was way more difficult than it should have been.
Check out this sweet Man-O-Vation made with Craftsman Hammers!
Automotive : Carburetor
In the Auto Shop, we were led by Sean Brayton from the Oilers Car Club
Sean taught us how a Carburetor worked, and how to rebuild one.
Wood Lathe : Handles
Wood Lathe led by Rob Johnstone & Dan Cary of Woodworker’s Journal.
We created our own custom handles for a pizza cutter and bottle opener.
Woodworking : Toolbox
Project led by Karl Champley, who won Ellen’s Design Challenge on HGTV.
This project required less measuring, so I redeemed myself.
The finished product was an awesome wood toolbox.
Craftsman MAKEcation : After Hours
Mike Baca and Fernando Romero shared their Graffiti skills
Mixology Class to end the day : Check out the toolbox bar back!
Live Entertainment by Eric Paslay, Adam Realman, and Ill Conduct
We met some great new friends at Craftsman MAKEcation
The Craftsman MAKEcation 2015 was every bit as fabulous as it looks in these photographs, and one of the best events we’ve ever attended. We can’t wait until the next one, and would highly encourage joining the Craftsman Club so that you have a chance to win this trip in the future. Making something with your own two hands instills such a feeling of pride and accomplishment, and we’d like to thank Craftsman for reminding us of that. We’re now inspired to organize the garage and unbury the workbench to get to work on our own projects.
UPDATE : The Official Craftsman MAKEcation Video is now available!
Philip Van der Vossen
Additionally, Philip has served as Rally Director for the Washington Automotive Press Association, Speaker at IMPAcon and Blogs with Balls, Chairman of the Relay For Life of North Anne Arundel County, Examiner Team Leader for the Maryland Performance Excellence Awards, and Credentialed Founder of Capitals Outsider.
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