Frequently Asked Questions
So, what can I do at this place?
Lots. You can come use our space, tools and equipment with a day pass or a membership to get creative and make your own projects. You can take a class here to try something new and learn new skills. We're a great place for coworking with wifi, coffee and great natural light. Or you can just pop in the gift shop and buy some locally made gifts, some made right at the makerspace.
What kind of tools and equipment do you have?
Where do we start? There is a stained glass station and torches for lamp working, a jewelers bench with plenty of metal smithing tools, sewing machines and leather working tools, pottery wheels and slab rollers plus lots of hand tools, kilns, block printing supplies, screen printing studio, a basic wood shop, tech lab with laser cutter and 3D printer, a vinyl cutter and heat press, and so many paint brushes, scissors, hot glue guns, x-acto knives, and the like. The wood shop and tech lab require a safety and basic use class first, but everything else is ready to go if you are.
Are materials included too?
Some things like paper, paint, tape, glue and inks are readily available. Other consumable materials like clay, glaze, canvas, sheet metal and wire are available for purchase. You can bring materials of your own too.
Can I just work on my computer instead?
Totally. You can work here just like at a coworking space, we just have plenty of messy, creative things too. We have fast wifi, free coffee, comfy seating and loads of natural light. There are lots of spaces to spread out to work and a conference room to use if needed too. Plus, we have a free coworking day every other Wednesday so you can come try it out. Watch our FB page for specific dates.
Ok, so what are these memberships like?
You can get a full month of makerspace access to be able to craft, create, invent, tinker, or prototype as much as you like during open hours with our silver level membership. Membership gets you a sweet class discount and shelf storage too.
Are there other times I could come in to use the space?
With the platinum or studio membership options, you get 24/7 access. You would be able to come whenever the inspiration strikes, or perhaps before work to make sure you get some creative work done.
Can my family or friends use my membership too?
All of our memberships besides the basic silver level include 4 guest passes each month. Once those are used up, they can buy individual day passes. Only the primary membership holder can have unlimited use of the space with their membership. Depending on the number of people in your family who will really use the space a single gold membership with 4 guest passes or perhaps an adult and a student gold membership combined with 8 guest passes would do. Guests may only use a pass during staffed, open hours, and not after hours like our 24/7 members.
Is there a membership that saves me more on classes?
Our basic silver level members get 10% off classes while gold members get 15% off. And our platinum and studio members get a whopping 20% off classes. Now, this is a perk you can share with your family and friends by using your discount to sign them up for classes. The more, the merrier.
Is there any place to leave my projects or extra materials?
Yes, we have shelf storage for members. There are 2'x2' sections of shelving in the back of the makerspace for members to store items. Some members just have a tool box or even a large bag of clay they keep in the back rather than lugging it back and forth each time.
I think I will need more space than that. What else do you have?
We have private studios available that can be rented monthly. The have locking doors and space to keep your bigger projects or for you to set up a work desk or two. There are 8x'7' and 8'x11' studios upstairs. The basement has more space that can be rented as an open concept studio if you need even more room.
Ok, I don't know that I'd come in enough to get a membership. What if I have a short project to do?
You can get a day pass and use the space from open to close for just $10. It's even less for teens and kids. And if you want a few of the perks of being a member like the class discounts, you can buy a pack of day passes that last a whole year and give you class discounts too.
Alright, I really want to come in and make something, but I don't know where to start. What do you recommend?
Classes are a great way to try something new and they are usually just around 2 hours each, more or less. We also have a menu of DIY projects you can try when you come in with a day pass. Those are all pretty simple to do and we get you everything you need to work on your own. It's really not that hard. And you'll have a finished product at the end of your class or DIY project. Super cool. Some of you might be really good at following along with a YouTube tutorial to try something new and we totally encourage that.
A group of us want to take a class but the scheduled dates don't work for us. Can we do a private class?
Definitely! If you have a group of at least 5 people, you can book a private class for a time that works for you. There are lots of project options for groups and we're even open to your ideas too. Private classes are great for get-togethers with family, friends or coworkers.
Can I just come in and buy something to support local makers? I'm not really a maker myself.
Yes, you can buy locally made gifts and art from our gift shop. We feature handmade goods represented by over 30 makers and artists. Stop in whenever you need a great gift or just need some South Bend swag or something extra for you. You're supporting the makerspace and local artisans when you do, so it's a win-win-win.
I really love what you guys you do and want to help but don't know when I can come in. How can I help?
You can become an individual sponsor from just $50/year and get some great benefits from doing so. It takes a lot to run a big creative space like this and keep it affordable for budding makers and artists, so every bit helps. Businesses can also join us a sponsor and choose from a variety of ways to have your name associated with South Bend's first public makerspace and keep this resource growing.
Is there anything else cool I should know?
A few times a year, MAKE SOUTH BEND puts on large community events to feature local makers, work done by our makers, and just cool experiences for anyone in town to enjoy. Each summer we host a music and art festival called Rebel Art Fest. And around the holidays we have a Makers Market on Small Business Saturday and a larger Urban Artisan Market at the Potawatomi Conservatories with even more local makers.
Have any more questions? Shoot us a message at [email protected] or call during open hours 574-855-2271.
So, what can I do at this place?
Lots. You can come use our space, tools and equipment with a day pass or a membership to get creative and make your own projects. You can take a class here to try something new and learn new skills. We're a great place for coworking with wifi, coffee and great natural light. Or you can just pop in the gift shop and buy some locally made gifts, some made right at the makerspace.
What kind of tools and equipment do you have?
Where do we start? There is a stained glass station and torches for lamp working, a jewelers bench with plenty of metal smithing tools, sewing machines and leather working tools, pottery wheels and slab rollers plus lots of hand tools, kilns, block printing supplies, screen printing studio, a basic wood shop, tech lab with laser cutter and 3D printer, a vinyl cutter and heat press, and so many paint brushes, scissors, hot glue guns, x-acto knives, and the like. The wood shop and tech lab require a safety and basic use class first, but everything else is ready to go if you are.
Are materials included too?
Some things like paper, paint, tape, glue and inks are readily available. Other consumable materials like clay, glaze, canvas, sheet metal and wire are available for purchase. You can bring materials of your own too.
Can I just work on my computer instead?
Totally. You can work here just like at a coworking space, we just have plenty of messy, creative things too. We have fast wifi, free coffee, comfy seating and loads of natural light. There are lots of spaces to spread out to work and a conference room to use if needed too. Plus, we have a free coworking day every other Wednesday so you can come try it out. Watch our FB page for specific dates.
Ok, so what are these memberships like?
You can get a full month of makerspace access to be able to craft, create, invent, tinker, or prototype as much as you like during open hours with our silver level membership. Membership gets you a sweet class discount and shelf storage too.
Are there other times I could come in to use the space?
With the platinum or studio membership options, you get 24/7 access. You would be able to come whenever the inspiration strikes, or perhaps before work to make sure you get some creative work done.
Can my family or friends use my membership too?
All of our memberships besides the basic silver level include 4 guest passes each month. Once those are used up, they can buy individual day passes. Only the primary membership holder can have unlimited use of the space with their membership. Depending on the number of people in your family who will really use the space a single gold membership with 4 guest passes or perhaps an adult and a student gold membership combined with 8 guest passes would do. Guests may only use a pass during staffed, open hours, and not after hours like our 24/7 members.
Is there a membership that saves me more on classes?
Our basic silver level members get 10% off classes while gold members get 15% off. And our platinum and studio members get a whopping 20% off classes. Now, this is a perk you can share with your family and friends by using your discount to sign them up for classes. The more, the merrier.
Is there any place to leave my projects or extra materials?
Yes, we have shelf storage for members. There are 2'x2' sections of shelving in the back of the makerspace for members to store items. Some members just have a tool box or even a large bag of clay they keep in the back rather than lugging it back and forth each time.
I think I will need more space than that. What else do you have?
We have private studios available that can be rented monthly. The have locking doors and space to keep your bigger projects or for you to set up a work desk or two. There are 8x'7' and 8'x11' studios upstairs. The basement has more space that can be rented as an open concept studio if you need even more room.
Ok, I don't know that I'd come in enough to get a membership. What if I have a short project to do?
You can get a day pass and use the space from open to close for just $10. It's even less for teens and kids. And if you want a few of the perks of being a member like the class discounts, you can buy a pack of day passes that last a whole year and give you class discounts too.
Alright, I really want to come in and make something, but I don't know where to start. What do you recommend?
Classes are a great way to try something new and they are usually just around 2 hours each, more or less. We also have a menu of DIY projects you can try when you come in with a day pass. Those are all pretty simple to do and we get you everything you need to work on your own. It's really not that hard. And you'll have a finished product at the end of your class or DIY project. Super cool. Some of you might be really good at following along with a YouTube tutorial to try something new and we totally encourage that.
A group of us want to take a class but the scheduled dates don't work for us. Can we do a private class?
Definitely! If you have a group of at least 5 people, you can book a private class for a time that works for you. There are lots of project options for groups and we're even open to your ideas too. Private classes are great for get-togethers with family, friends or coworkers.
Can I just come in and buy something to support local makers? I'm not really a maker myself.
Yes, you can buy locally made gifts and art from our gift shop. We feature handmade goods represented by over 30 makers and artists. Stop in whenever you need a great gift or just need some South Bend swag or something extra for you. You're supporting the makerspace and local artisans when you do, so it's a win-win-win.
I really love what you guys you do and want to help but don't know when I can come in. How can I help?
You can become an individual sponsor from just $50/year and get some great benefits from doing so. It takes a lot to run a big creative space like this and keep it affordable for budding makers and artists, so every bit helps. Businesses can also join us a sponsor and choose from a variety of ways to have your name associated with South Bend's first public makerspace and keep this resource growing.
Is there anything else cool I should know?
A few times a year, MAKE SOUTH BEND puts on large community events to feature local makers, work done by our makers, and just cool experiences for anyone in town to enjoy. Each summer we host a music and art festival called Rebel Art Fest. And around the holidays we have a Makers Market on Small Business Saturday and a larger Urban Artisan Market at the Potawatomi Conservatories with even more local makers.
Have any more questions? Shoot us a message at [email protected] or call during open hours 574-855-2271.