Developed by a new ‘Festival of Making’ community interest company – a collaboration between Lancashire-born designer, Wayne Hemingway, festival producers, Deco Publique, and creative place-making social enterprise, Placeshakers – the festival aims to celebrate and recognise the craft and ingenuity of a region where 25{ff546b69e23b1524d799f96c6ba7a638e1f677053b0a2a1568b05315fd5f8fc7} of the population still works…
Tag: making
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado creates a new shelving system for local charity shop
This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado teams up with Benchmark’s cabinetmaker Max to fit the Red Cross fix, they bring pre-fabricated parts on site and prepare the new storage system ready for use… 09:00: It is Saturday morning, having collected the materials and tools from Benchmark’s workshop, Max and I…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado prototypes new paddles
06:00: I wake up in Hungerford, and begin my day by researching existing paddles. Today I will prepare some different versions for Heidi to test out at the next canoe training session. I get ready and leave for work. 07:30: When I arrive at the workshop, I look over some…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado runs fixing workshop for Two Saints
This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado tests out a new handle for Sean Sutcliffe’s portable samples case, collects scrap material and charity shop finds, and leads the second workshop for local homeless charity Two Saints. 06:00: I wake up in Hungerford and get ready for work. I pack some…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado prepares for Red Cross charity shop fix
This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado, learns about ordering materials in the workshop, prepares wood in the mill and makes the final Red Cross charity shop fix… 06:00: I wake up in Hungerford and get ready for work. 07:00: I start the day in the workshop with Pete showing…
a day in the life
Fixperts Resident makes remote fixes through social media
This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado transforms nutcrackers into bleach bottle openers, finalises two pairs of adapted nail clippers for limited hand dexterity, and makes a plastic art tray test for a young woman with autism… 05:55: I wake up and get ready for work. I make a smoothie with…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado learns about the risky, the worthwhile and the possible
This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado visits the Dingley centre to meet an occupational therapist to get feedback on some of her ideas, and makes Heidi a playing cards tray… 07:00: I wake up in Hungerford and gather my camera, measuring equipment and sketchbook. 07:30: I leave for the Dingley Centre…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado has a day of testing with Fix Partners
This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado builds an art tray prototype for Fix Partner Philly’s wheelchair, visits new week-old twins, and delivers a resonance board to the Dingley Centre… 06:20: I wake up and get ready for work. I have some Swedish ‘quilted bread’ with honey and a cup…
a day in the life
Fixperts resident helps the homeless make things with Benchmark offcuts
This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado gathers oak offcuts, packs up tools and materials and leads a making workshop for residents at local housing charity Two Saints’ hostel… 06:20: I wake up and ensure that my camera batteries are charged, as today my sister Rhianna will make a film…
a day in the life
Benchmarks’ resident Fixpert Maya Alvarado designs ‘wearable toothbrushes’
This week, British Furniture Manufacturer Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado delivers the second sofa fix to The Dingley Centre, puts up a new coat hook for their staff and designs some alternative toothbrushes… 06:20: I wake up in Hungerford and get my things ready for work. Today I will be investigating…
a day in the life
Team Benchmark go on a canoeing day trip with Heidi and her family
This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado heads out with Kevin, Mike, Colin and Danny from the Benchmark team on a canoe day with Heidi and her family… 05:30: It’s Saturday. I wake up very early at my parents’ house in North London to make my way back to Berkshire…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado adapts a sofa to make it safer for children with special needs
This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado visits The Dingley Early Years Centre, finds some seats to fix and starts the refurbishment of a small sofa… 06:20: I wake up and get ready for work. Today I’m looking forward to visiting the Dingley Centre, a specialist early years centre for…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado meets a new Fix Partner and prototypes paddles
This week, Benchmark‘s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado visits Fix Partner Anne at the Red Cross Charity Shop, seeks out potential fixes and makes paddle prototypes for canoe trip with Heidi… 07:30: I wake up and get ready to go and meet my new Fix Partner Anne who manages the Red…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado visits libraries, garages and carehomes in search of new Fix Partners
This week, Benchmark‘s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado goes on a search for new Fix Partners. She visits local clubs and businesses in Hungerford, finds out about an excellent use of a Tuk Tuk and considers the best material for a dog friendly boat plank… 06:20: I wake up and get…
long reads
feature :: making the invisible store of happiness
This is the third essay in a series of four about the behind the scenes process leading up to the installation of The Invisible Store of Happiness in Saint John’s Arch during Clerkenwell Design Week. This one is entitled Making… They say it takes a village, and despite Sebastian Cox…
out and about
out and about :: pick me up at somerset house
Pick Me Up at Somerset House smelt of paper and ink and making things, which is always a good start!
out and about
out and about :: campana brothers
The Design Museum Camapana Bothers talk was a fascinating insight into Brazillian culture and the Campana brothers’ design process.