The West Seattle Fixers and Makers, which meets Thursday nights twice a month at the West Seattle Tool Library, will be exhibiting at the 2012 Seattle Mini Maker Faire, held Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3 at the Seattle Center. The Faire, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, will host 50 maker exhibits, workshops and hands-on activities for all ages.
The West Seattle Fixers and Makers will be displaying some of its work at the Seattle Mini Maker Faire, including wood carvings, paddles, a canoe, recycled material sculptures and unique appliances that have been repaired by the fixers’ collective. The exhibit will educate the public on the valuable resource and creative potential the West Seattle Tool Library and Fixers and Makers provide.
In addition to the displays, the group will have a few activities for visitors to participate in during the event such as making their own mini sewing or tool kit and taking apart broken tools and trying to diagnose why it doesn’t work.
West Seattle Fixers and Makers founder Greg Kono has enjoyed making things for as long as he can remember and learned at a young age from his parents and grandparents the importance of repairing and maintaining the things he owns.
“I often get as much pleasure from tearing things apart, fixing and putting them back together as I do from creating something new. I joined the West Seattle Tool Library and formed the West Seattle Fixers and Makers to share some of my knowledge and be more involved with my community. It has been inspiring to be around others who are passionate around similar interests,” Kono said.
Known by names such as fixer’s collectives, repair cafes and hacker spaces, such groups are popping up all over the United States and Europe as a way to combat a throwaway culture, reduce waste, save money and build community.
