THE STORY BEHIND MAKERMARX
Meet the Maker
A Lifetime of Making.
Making things has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
What began with wooden toys and puzzles eventually grew into a fascination with woodturning, digital design, and the possibilities of turning an idea into something you can hold.
Along the way, a career in technology introduced me to CAD/CAM, computer-controlled machinery, and the connection between design and manufacturing.
Today, MakerMarx brings those interests together — traditional craftsmanship, modern technology, and the simple satisfaction of making something from an idea.
The tools may change. The curiosity never does.
A Tradition of Making.
Long before MakerMarx, my grandfather spent more than 50 years working at a metal lathe.
This is him at work, standing beside the machine that was such a significant part of his life. Looking at it today, I can't help but appreciate the connection between his work and my own.
His lathe shaped metal. Mine shapes wood. And increasingly, my projects begin with digital designs that become physical objects through 3D printing.
Different generations. Different tools. But something familiar in the satisfaction of making things.
Perhaps making has been in the family longer than I realized.
WHAT MAKERMARX IS ABOUT
Different Materials. Endless Possibilities.
MakerMarx brings together two things I've always enjoyed: the creativity of making something by hand and the possibilities of technology.
In the woodshop, I work with the natural character of wood, creating pieces that are often as much about discovery as design.
In the 3D studio, I explore ideas digitally, developing original chess sets, sculptures, games, and other projects designed to become real objects.
Some things I make are available for purchase. Others are experiments, personal projects, or simply ideas I wanted to see come to life.
Whatever the material or method, the goal remains the same: to create something truly worthwhile.
BEYOND THE WORKSHOP
Making Something That Matters.
Some of the most rewarding pieces I've made have been wooden containers for Beads of Courage, a program that helps children recognize and tell the stories of their medical journeys through colorful beads.
Each container provides a special place to keep those beads, and every one is a little different. The wood, the shape, and the details may change, but the purpose never does.
I've always enjoyed the challenge of making something beautiful or interesting. But knowing that something I've made might bring a little comfort or happiness to a child gives the work an entirely different meaning.
Sometimes the most meaningful thing you make isn't really about the object at all.
FEATURED IN VOYAGESTL
A Little More of the Story.
I had the opportunity to share some of my journey with VoyageSTL, from making wooden toys and puzzles to discovering woodturning and finding new creative possibilities along the way.
The interview explores the experiences, influences, and simple enjoyment of making things that continue to shape my work today.
Explore More From MakerMarx
From handcrafted woodturnings to original 3D-printable designs, there's always another idea taking shape.