{"id":33817,"date":"2023-02-14T02:38:27","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T09:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/the-big-idea-makerspace-at-san-juan-college-is-for-innovators-and-creators\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T02:13:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T08:13:49","slug":"the-big-idea-makerspace-at-san-juan-college-is-for-innovators-and-creators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/the-big-idea-makerspace-at-san-juan-college-is-for-innovators-and-creators\/","title":{"rendered":"The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College is for innovators and creators"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Nizhoni
Nizhoni Sunrise sculpture depicts the famous Shiprock. (Courtesy Alessa Thomas)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Antoinette Oehme, a technician at The Big Idea Makerspace since it opened in February 2019, is resigning, but she will leave with a deep passion for mission to help entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

Oehme wanted a full-time position at The Big Idea. She is allotted 29 hours per week, but said she often spends well over 40 at the \u201cSpace,\u201d as she calls it. She recently resigned because she needed full-time hours.<\/p>\n

Funding for the facility at San Juan College has come through various grants, but most were designated for equipment and materials, rather than staffing.<\/p>\n

A San Juan College graduate, Oehme began her college employment in work-study, moved to medical credentialing, then jumped at the opportunity to become the first Makerspace technician.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been here since The Big Idea was two empty rooms. When I was hired here, I unpacked all the boxes,\u201d Oehme said. \u201cThis is the space, my space \u2026 my heart and soul.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Antoinette
Antoinette Oehem sits at a gaming computer used for designing. (David Edward Albright\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Oehme comes from a family of makers, of do-it-your-selfers. Her family includes custom woodworkers, bladesmiths, ceramic artists, plumbers and electricians. \u201cWe had a 43-acre, full-working ranch growing up, so if something broke, you fixed it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Now an avid gamer, she didn\u2019t receive her first game until age 24. Her family was busy with animals and ranching, so technology was always slower to show up. She now tries to create a balance between nature and technology, especially with her five children.<\/p>\n

The \u201cSpace\u201d provides impressive equipment, including 3D printers, computer lab, large-format printer and vinyl cutter, sublimation machine, laser engraver and cutter, metalworking equipment, sewing station, technology bench and woodworking equipment.<\/p>\n

The sublimation machine uses infusible ink sheets to press sublimation transfers. Oehme called it \u201cmassive\u201d \u2013 two huge printers capable of printing numerous files at once or a full bolt of custom fabric. Sublimation transfers are lighter and sheerer than screen printing, and the choice of fabrics is not limited. They can also be used on metal signs, vinyl, plastic, puzzle blanks, coffee mugs, mouse pads and other materials.<\/p>\n

The large format printer does \u201ctons of amazing things,\u201d Oehme said, including making dicep stickers, fully printable heat-transfer vinyl, art reproductions on canvas, banners, wall and other types of graphics.<\/p>\n

\"Eugene,
Eugene, affectionately named by Antoinette Oehme, is a large-format printer. (David Edward Albright\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

One of the first businesses to utilize the \u201cSpace\u201d was Bilas\u00e1ana<\/a> (apple in Din\u00e9), a watchband and specialty item maker located at 401 W. Main St. in Farmington.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve got a lot of great equipment, owner Charles Lynch said. \u201cI use the laser printer \u2026 the drill press, and barely even scratched the surface. Antoinette has made the place usable.\u201d<\/p>\n

The laser engraver and cutter, nicknamed \u201cFelix\u201d for the Epiligo Helix 50, the CO2 laser used can cut and engrave acrylic, wood, leather, glass, ceramic and fabric. Owners of Steep Your Tea and Doodle Downs gourmet dog treats utilized Felix to create tea labels, marketing supplies and a banner. Oehme said her dog is so obsessed with Doodle Downs products that \u201che doesn\u2019t even want to eat dog food. That\u2019s how good they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crazy Car Salsa is working with the \u201cSpace\u201d to make their logo and product labels. Helping small businesses is Oehme\u2019s foremost objective. \u201cThey\u2019re the heart and soul of this town \u2013 that\u2019s our lifeblood,\u201d she said. \u201cI see people going back to that small-business mentality more and more.\u201d<\/p>\n

The \u201cbig bay\u201d area, which has a large overhead door, houses the woodworking, metal and jewelry making tools and equipment.<\/p>\n

Ed Hircock, a retired shop teacher, used the woodworking tools to make an oak and walnut sled for his grandson. He used the band saw, table saw, drill press, stationary and wide-belt sanders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt has some tools that I don\u2019t have at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Ed
Ed Hircock used tools at the \u201cSpace\u201d to build a sled for his grandson. (David Edward Albright\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Christy Ferrato, artist and senior director of San Juan College Advising Center, said she worked with Oehme to create the panels, laser printing, all the applications to produce one of her art pieces, \u201cLocus Communis,\u201d which will be on display through March at Henderson Fine Arts Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoss Hog,\u201d a Haas mini-milling machine that was partially funded by Raytheon, can fabricate items from aluminum or other materials, but special training is required to use it. Oehme is seeking an instructor capable of providing that training.<\/p>\n

The Nizhoni Sunrise sculpture of Shiprock, placed in front of the new student housing, was designed by Don Ellis and welded by Matt Lucero with digital files and laser cuts by Oehme.<\/p>\n

Oehme\u2019s students, ranging in from age 8 to 80, begin by learning how the machines work. Some have designed and made items such as dinosaur coins, Christmas ornaments and novelties.<\/p>\n

\"Antoinette
Antoinette Oehme holds a plaque created at The Big Idea. (David Edward Albright\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cTech is not going to go away, but when you tell kids they need to think about their future, they\u2019re not doing that, they\u2019re thinking about what they\u2019re going to do this weekend,\u201d Oehme said. She gives them a hands-on experience, making things they can be proud of and even turn into business ventures.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made it myself\u201d could be the motto for mixing art with technology. \u201cI prefer STEAM to STEM because they took the \u2018A\u2019 out of the acronym for art,\u201d Oehme said. \u201cYou can\u2019t take art out of the equation; it absolutely fits with technology.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some students have never been in touch with their creative side.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey may say, \u2018I\u2019m not a maker,\u2019 but,\u201d Oehem said. \u201cIf you are a human, you are a maker. We all make in different ways. If you write, you draw, you paint, you code, you weld. We all have different things that drive our passions, our desires \u2013 of what makes us happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fused Deposition Modeling printers melt thermoplastic filaments and create shapes layer by layer. The types of plastic used in this process are usually made from plastic, powders, resins, metal, carbon fiber, graphite and graphene, nitinol and paper.<\/p>\n

End use of product determines the ideal materials to choose. Oehme said polylactic acid filament is very forgiving and strong, which works great for toys. She used thermoplastic polyurethane to create a prosthetic bill for rescued duck that had been attacked by a raccoon. It is widely used in the automotive and other industries. The Space has used it for model car tires and a bumper for a drone.<\/p>\n

Evidencing the rapid development in tech, Oehme built a printer from a $1,400 kit for the \u201cSpace\u201d a few years ago, and it became obsolete within six months. It took 14 hours to create a small figurine with the old one, but now a similar model for $250 can do the job in less than two hours.<\/p>\n

Oehme said some makerspaces are moneymakers. The Urban Workshop<\/a> in Southern California has a vast selection of equipment and services, including guitar and surfboard making, auto body and bicycle repair, woodworking and blacksmithing. She visited the \u201cabsolutely massive\u201d facility when she attended an International Symposium on Academic Makerspace conference<\/a>. Oehme envisions the \u201cSpace\u201d here in Farmington becoming more vital and widely used.<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

The Big Idea is open Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fees are $15 per day or $60 per month for non-students, faculty and staff, who only pay for materials. To reserve time and equipment, call (505) 566-3112 or schedule online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want small businesses to thrive and students to come here and learn and grow and put into practice what they\u2019re learning in their books and classes,\u201d Oehme said.<\/p>\n

Oehme\u2019s last day on the job is Feb. 15, but she plans to still frequent the \u201cSpace\u201d she loves \u2013 where she\u2019s devoted so much time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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