Walk the talk. Never has this saying been truer than with Arlington Heights resident Lauralee Reese who over the past two years has earned her way into becoming an experienced and accomplished maker -- one Makerplace class and project at a time.
“I tell everyone about the Makerplace, and my advice is always the same,” said Reese, a devoted Arlington Heights Memorial Library customer for 25-plus years who now is also an avid user of the library’s Makerplace. “Start with an instructional class. Learn more about what you can do and what you like to do."
"Then make a one-on-one appointment afterwards so you can take what you learned and build upon it some more,” continued Reese. “The Makerplace staff is so helpful and knowledgeable…and really patient,” she added with a laugh.
Reese’s exploration into the many ways of making began shortly after the Makerplace opened in September 2021. Putting her advice into practice, she enrolled in several “Essentials” classes, the Makerplace’s introductory classes offered monthly to learn the basics about things like sewing, 3D printing and laser cutting. She took a two-part jewelry making class and a Photoshop class at the library as well.
“All the classes are very hands on, and they help get you started,” said Reese who holds a degree in fiber arts and ceramics and has always enjoyed doing crafts but professed, had little-to-no experience when it came to making. Professionally, she worked for 14 years in customer service for the aviation industry and currently works full-time as an office administrator for a local business.
“I really need this as an outlet to balance my nine-to-five job,” said Reese. “I see so many ideas here, it’s hard to reign them all in.”
The multitude of ideas combined with Reese’s newly acquired skills, especially using the Epilog Mini laser cutter, and a willingness to experiment creatively have resulted in a beautiful menagerie of custom items. Some she has given as gifts, like etched wine glasses and the coffee mug she made for a friend using an image she created with Photoshop and the Makerplace’s sublimation printer. Other items she donates in-kind to be sold at the Kerstin Andersson Museum Store at the Swedish Museum in Andersonville where Reese is a board member.
Some of the most in-demand and popular gift items that Reese makes for the store include custom-etched Swedish Dala Horse charms and jewelry, and an assortment of festive holiday ornaments.
In early December, Reese’s talents as a maker will once again be on full display at the Swedish Museum where she will sell many of her custom gift items as a vendor at the museum’s annual holiday market on December 2 and 3.
“It makes me happy to be able to do all of this at the Makerplace,” said Reese. “I don’t know of any other place that has all of this and with so many people willing to share their knowledge and ideas.”
Get started making at the Makerplace by taking a class or making a one-on-one appointment to get a tutorial on a piece of equipment. Learn all about how you, too, can be a maker, at ahml.info/makerplace.