The Manufactory – Where My Ideas Will Take Shape

I need projects. My house is too quiet, too still, too empty without projects to keep my mind from going negative, so I’ve joined The Manufactory, a 17,000 sq. ft. membership makerspace located on Mosteller Road in the northern burbs of Cincinnati. This place is the Camp Washington WoodShop on steroids that I stumbled across on the Internet when I was searching for a larger planer to use for my headboard project. I’ve joined for a month, so I’m on the clock to complete my headboard, make my dining room table, office desk, and master suite beverage station.

I spent a few hours there on MLK Day with the goal of just planing all my oak boards for the headboard shelve and trim. My plan was to use the Manufactory’s larger capacity planer, but build it at the WoodShop. I got the planing done and was comtemplating over using their joiner or waiting to do that at the WoodShop when another member, Kendall Glover asked if I needed any help. He may regret ever asking. Kendall has been a woodworker for 20 years and his woodworking business name is Conjure Craft Woodworkers, but woodworking is not his day job. This picture is a beautiful dresser he made. Looks like he could go full-time to me.

After about an hour of conversation my whole plan of building at the Woodshop had been nixed. What I love about the “creative community” is they are willing to share their knowledge when they come across people that are sincerely interested in learning. He convinced me to leave my oak slabs for the headboard there vs. lugging them back home. We discussed at length my dining room table, so before they closed I decided to retrieve my walnut slabs from my storage locker. He agreed to help me prep my walnut for the dining room table, so he suggested that I allow the wood to acclimate to their space. So, now on top of my membership I am renting two cubbies to store my wood. Sista Girl w/ Skills is getting ready to elevate to a whole new level.

The beauty of the Manufactory is they are open 7-days a week. I would be very hard pressed to get my projects done in a timely manner at the WoodShop when their open shop hours are limited to Wed 3-9p and Sat 12-5p. I often have work conflicts on Wednesday. The other thing I love is the community atmosphere. I met Kendall on Thursday night and he introduced me to other avid woodworkers. All welcomed me and offered assistance if needed.

I brought with me more wood; the wood I needed for the headboard shelf boxes and before he left, Kendall helped me lay out a revised plan (he gave me some great feedback that I will incorporate) for building them out. We also discussed the game plan for the dining table, which we’ll start working on Sunday afternoon. I didn’t have much time to work, Serena was playing at 9p, but I got the top, bottom, and side pieces for the two side shelf units cut. I did bring them home as I want to stain the insides and drill the holes for the adjustable shelves.