Crafting connections: Berea Makerspace and ACM partner for community skill share

Jun. 24—Berea Makerspace was a hive of creative buzz this Saturday, as folks came together for a lively Skill Share that turned "community" into a verb.

From crochet to laser-leather crafts, this event stitched together old traditions and new friends in a celebration of sharing and caring.

Jess Estridge, Secretary at Berea Makerspace, explained that this new partnership has its roots in a collaboration with Partnering With Abi, an organization known for organizing events that facilitate sustainable, sensible, and accessible food-systems.

One of the main tenants of Partnering With Abi is sharing skills to increase community empowerment and resiliency, which is why it hosted skill shares in Berea for over a decade.

"The 2024 summer skill swap was, for the makerspace, a continuation of the skillshare project that we were collaborating with Partnering With Abi on back in 2021," Estridge explained. "Their supporters did not have the time and resources to continue at this point. We took this on with the Appalachian Community Meal Project (ACM) when they approached us with a similar proposition."

This collaboration reflects Berea Makerspace's ongoing mission to increase the accessibility of tools and education for the local community.

"Our goal has always been increasing accessibility of tools and education to those in the area who were interested. The skillshare was a natural extension of that," Estridge added.

The event was a vibrant celebration of creativity and community, bringing together a diverse group of individuals eager to learn and share.

Kiana Mahjub, Executive Director of the Berea Arts Council, who also showcased her embroidery skills, captured the spirit of the event beautifully.

"I'd just simply say it was a great time being around several other creatives and knowledgeable people, and getting the chance to learn from them as well," Mahjub said. "I love the mission of sharing skills and making more things accessible for folks to participate in. I think the organizations putting this together are contributing greatly by providing this free opportunity for our community members."

The event featured seven skill sharers who demonstrated various crafts, including crochet, leather working (with lasers), printmaking, and more.

Despite the summer heat, about a dozen people attended, soaking up the knowledge and skills being shared.

Amanda Smith, co-founder and director at the Appalachian Community Meal Project (ACM), reflected on the broader impact of such events on community building.

"ACM values skillsharing as a direct in-road to community building. By witnessing the talent and labor our neighbors find joy in sharing, we are reminded that folks possess an innate desire and drive to contribute to society," Smith noted.

She explained that, while paid jobs are often unrelated to our special interests and skills, makerspaces are built to equip individuals' passions and facilitate meaningful contributions to the community, inherently improving on the life of the maker, as well.

Smith and Estridge also highlighted the deep connection and importance of the ACM and Berea Makerspace as resources for the community.

For example, Estridge noted that this marks the markerspace's third year providing pay-what-you-can traditional craft programming through a grant with Berea College.

"We will continue to create more opportunities to engage with the Berea Makerspace, and making in general, outside of our traditional membership system," she remarked.

Likewise, Smith said, "We're in the business of ensuring everyone gains access to anything and everything that makes life safer and more enjoyable for all."

Smith encourages anyone looking for support on their creative journey to check out both the Berea Makerspace and the Berea Library's new Creative Space, where both experienced and budding creatives will find the equipment, guidance, and community needed to bring your labor of love to life, and help strengthen bonds throughout their hometown.

According to Smith, the success of the skill share event is a promising sign of more exciting developments to come. ACM has plans to launch a rolling skillshare later this year, expanding the opportunities for community engagement and skill development.

Follow Berea Makerspace and ACM online to keep up with their events.

As Smith put it, "A community that learns together, thrives together!"