What is a maker?

My wife stepped out of her car this morning and rolled her ankle. She wouldn’t appreciate my saying that so casually as if she’s prone to silly accidents. She’s not. But it’s what happened. After she iced and elevated she could tell she needed something supportive to stabilize her foot. And being the “maker” bunch we are, she asked me to make something to fit the bill. Sure, we could have gone out and bought an orthopedic boot, but what’s the fun in that? She sent several pictures of examples and capped off her request with “I’d like to put my order in for same day delivery, please.” She pours so much into our family and when she goes down, we all feel it. How could I refuse?

The finished product. Cedar wood cutout with non-stick drawer liner for a sole and attached to her sandal with double stick tape. More pics of the process below.

So what is a maker?

Am I a maker?

Are you?

Is a maker someone who simply makes things, tangible or intangible? Possibly. But I’ll leave the philosophical discourse for another time. Let me just say simply that I believe a maker is human. We create. We can’t help it. In fact I think we were meant to.

Today you have likely made something. Is it something good? Useful? Beautiful? Harmful? Average? Who’s to say? Maybe you made a bowl of cereal, an omelette, coffee. Perhaps you sent a text to someone you love, a digital love note saying you hope they have a good day. You made something.

Perhaps you are in the midst of a large-scale “make.” You’re working on architectural drawings for a big project. You’re creating a list of party invites for a birthday or anniversary celebration. Does that qualify you as a maker? What about the task of modifying. Does that make you a maker? Does cleaning your house, your desk, your room count?

I’d rather put an impressive piece of furniture in front of you to display my skill. My vanity and ego always craves attention. But I though it would be more honest to show you what I actually set my hands to today. I’d rather you think of me as a high-end furniture maker. I’d want you to see me as an expert in designing and crafting beautiful, useful pieces made of wood, textiles and leather. I’d want you to know that I have enough experience and excitement to not only create my own pieces, but I also enjoy teaching others the craft of furniture making and thrill at the opportunity to live vicariously through my students’ pieces. But is that really who I am as a maker? Really?

Today my wife needed an orthopedic support that could meld to her Teva sandal so her foot can safely heal. So I made something practical.

I think that’s what a maker is. A maker simply creates what is needed when it is needed. Sometimes it’s beautiful. Sometimes it’s new and inspiring. Sometimes it’s practical. Every once in awhile is all the above. But a maker, simply stated, makes. Whatever the aesthetic may be.

I think that’s being human. We make. As intended.