For the Love of Making
A winter wonderland of hands-on creativity.
By Samuel Bishop
Earlier this year, I realised I needed to find a space to work from. I was spending a lot of the day jumping between offices, co-working spaces, cafes and my sitting room. I needed a desk for my gaf and as I searched for the ideal one, I wasn’t impressed. It seemed impossible to find an affordable and attractive one.
It was then that my friend offered me his workshop, tools and offcuts of timber. I spent a wonderful few hours lost in a world of sawing, measuring and screwing together a rudimentary desk. This spontaneous act of construction reignited a love of making, designing and working with my hands that I had lost in recent years. It was hugely rewarding; I now had a desk, and very empowering. It didn’t really matter what I made; the joy was in the process. The hands-on approach was a meditation; instant and essential mindfulness in the midst of a hectic week.
I’m now on a mission to make more and to make things with friends and it appears others are rediscovering a passion for this too. There are new maker spaces and craft collectives popping up all around Ireland. These are focused on collective making, sharing or learning, and by their nature are social spaces with a sense of community at their heart. At a time when we’re inside more on the dark nights (often a lonely and less social time for many), these spaces that offer a platform for ‘making’ are invaluable. It’s a good way to reduce the cost of Christmas presents and create something that’s unique and meaningful too.
For a list of great making spaces around Ireland and to read the rest of Samuel’s piece, pick up
THE WINTER ISSUE OF POSITIVE LIFE. PICK UP A COPY of the winter issue IN ONE OF OUR STOCKISTS ALL OVER IRELAND. OR SUBSCRIBE HERE TO HAVE A COPY DELIVERED DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR.
