The Maker Community is More than Just Making

This weekend we’re at an annual UK event called Makers Central. It draws all sorts of Crafters and Makers from across the world. They include well known YouTube stars and others who find their niche on Instagram.

There’s a real sense of community. While we may only see some people once or twice a year, all the Makers are connected by their love of making.

There’s a tradition of exchanging stickers. Or handmade coins. Or keyrings. Something made on a 3D printer.

You can spot well known Makers like Jimmy DiResta and Colin Furze by the queues snaking around the exhibition hall. They both stand there all day. Talking to fans, taking photos with them, signing stuff. Hour after hour. They only stop when the queue ends.

There’s a camaraderie among Makers. A shared interest. A common purpose.

Some got into making as a therapeutic outlet. As Chris knows from his own experiences, making and crafting are good antidotes to anxiety and promote wellbeing.

Makers demonstrating their skills show others what’s possible. And that’s why we do what we do. To show that, even though Chris is blind, he can do so much. And, therefore, so can anyone.

As we say, keep on turning!