New Penticton maker space Ideaforge offers creative types a home away from home

Do you like to make stuff? Are you an artist? A techie? An entrepreneur?

Maybe you need a diode or a drill press or a couple spools of thread to finally finish that project you've been putting off. Or perhaps you're simply a creative sort who enjoys working and networking with other imaginative folks.

If any of the above sounds even vaguely familiar, the Makers of Penticton and the Okanagan School of the Arts may just have the answer.

It's called the Ideaforge Maker Studio, and it's unlike anything the School has ever offered.

First and foremost, Ideaforge is a space. A big space in the basement of the Shatford Centre, with lots of long work tables and chairs scattered about. But it's also a resource. The place is crammed with stuff that members can freely use and incorporate into their projects.

Stuff like paint and brushes, power tools, hand tools, electronic components, soldering irons, artist's tools, leather punches, a photography light box, an air compressor, adhesives, wire, and much, much more. There's even a laser cutter. And a 3D printer - a good one.

We stopped by the space earlier this week and got the lowdown from IdeaForge facilitator (and new Okanagan School of the Arts general manager) Manda Maggs.

"I decided last fall that I wanted to be more creative, because I'm an artist, and that I wanted to be around other creative people. And I thought others might feel the same way."

"So I came to the School and said I wanted to do a maker space, and asked if they'd give me a place to do it. And they were very supportive. They thought the idea would help support the community of Penticton."

"So I just started gathering stuff, and as soon as I told people what I was up to, everyone started asking me what we needed. And I provided a whole list on our Facebook page. And people delivered. They continue to deliver. Everything in here has either been donated or is on loan."

"Ask and you shall receive, right?"

But while Maggs may be the boss, the star of the show on this night was a fellow named Scott Wilson, who led the group through a demo of that 3D printer.

One by one, Wilson turned out slick little objects, including a circular container with screw on lid, a perfect facsimile of "Baby Groot" from the Guardians of the Galaxy movie series, and a super slick little dinosaur with a fully flexible backbone.

Wilson, who grew up in Penticton and is now a user interface designer in Ontario, proudly says he's "definitely a nerd." He also knows his way around a 3D printer - and all the associated software that goes with it.

Indeed, while at college he developed and produced a 3D printed "puzzle sphere," a hyper-complex basketball-sized object that looks like a prop from a sci-fi flick and features a dozen combination lock puzzles embedded on the surface.

"As you solve each one of them," he says, "they detach and come off the sphere. And when you've solved enough of them, you can turn the sphere inside out and reattach them onto the other side. This was my thesis project."

Obviously, the guy is brilliant. Here at IdeaForge though, he was happy chilling and educating.

"The cool thing about 3D printing," he said, "is that you can print so many useful things. If you need a container to put something in or a replacement part for something that's not that complicated, you can model it, make it yourself, and print a replacement."

Interestingly, the 3D printer Wilson used that night, and the same one any IdeaFordge member can use, wasn't the product of some tech company. It was a Dremel, produced by the same folks responsible for the ubiquitous Dremel woodworking tool. Is 3D printing becoming mainstream? When you can find printers at Home Depot, you betcha.

Later, Maggs gave an impromptu demonstration of the Ideaforge laser cutter, which, as it turns out, is her own laser cutter - on loan to the program. She quickly cranked out a variety of finely etched fiberboard samples.

"There's a group of gentlemen in town," she said, "who are planning to build board games. Their hope is to come in here, and prototype a board game, figuring out the pieces, and figuring out the board itself. This process requires manufacturing expertise. Because if you go to investors and present a construction paper cut-out, it doesn't look very impressive."

Ultimately, said Maggs, she wants everyone - whether a board game designer, an Etsy seller, or just an interested newbie - to feel comfy. "Ideaforge is an experimentation place. We fully encourage anyone to come down. If you know how to use something, great. If you don't, there's probably someone who does who can help you out."

"And, we'll even have a TV to watch YouTube how-to videos."

Of special note are "Demo Tuesdays." This week it was 3D printing. On the 22nd, members will learn how to make stunning faux geodes from "ArtResin." And on the 29th, it's a watercolor "Paint Day."

Currently, Ideaforge is open three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Beyond that, Maggs hopes to run workshops on specific areas of interest.

But all of that is variable, depending on demand. As are the resources inside the space. "For example," said Maggs, "there are three different sewing stations right now. But we're willing to change things up. If we find no one is using the sewing machines, we'll pack them up and bring in something else."

Individual memberships at Ideaforge are $50 per month, and price breaks are given to those who join in groups. A group of two is $85, a group of four is $150. The one-time drop-in fee is $15.

For more information, hit up their Facebook page. Or head to the Ideaforge space during active hours. Maggs says she'll give familiarization tours to anyone who's interested.