Maker Nexus History - Revision history

Jschrempp: /* We're Open at 234 */

2026-04-24T02:07:34Z

We're Open at 234

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:07, 23 April 2026
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	In April 2019 we opened a full makerspace in 7,000 square feet at 234 East Caribbean Drive, Sunnyvale, California.		In April 2019 we opened a full makerspace in 7,000 square feet at 234 East Caribbean Drive, Sunnyvale, California.

	In March 2020 we close for the COVID pandemic. We quickly switch to use our equipment and community to make face shields and face masks to give away. We make and give away over 80,000 face shields all across the country. [https://~~covidshieldnexus~~.org ~~The memorialized site~~]		In March 2020 we close for the COVID pandemic. We quickly switch to use our equipment and community to make face shields and face masks to give away. We make and give away over 80,000 face shields all across the country. covidshieldnexus.org was our web site. [https://www.makernexus.org/covid-shield-nexus Read about it here.]

	June 2020 we reopen with limited total attendance and strict social distancing protocols.		June 2020 we reopen with limited total attendance and strict social distancing protocols.

Jschrempp: /* We Move to 1330 */

2026-04-24T02:05:36Z

We Move to 1330

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:05, 23 April 2026
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	As of November 2022 Maker Nexus had about 325 paying members.		As of November 2022 Maker Nexus had about 325 paying members.

			As of December 2025 Maker Nexus has about 600 paying members. In 2025 it had over $2M in revenue and served over 5,000 students! You can [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CHCBUgy6HYSBqoQ2YkqxuBX0_D1Fbtcs/view read the annual report].

	=== We're Open at 234 ===		=== We're Open at 234 ===

Jschrempp: /* Our History - Town Halls */

2026-04-24T02:01:02Z

Our History - Town Halls

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:01, 23 April 2026
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	* March 11, 2018: We met at the [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park. A great location for a meetup like this (with some great maker-like photographic art on exhibit). About 35 people were there with 10 new people.		* March 11, 2018: We met at the [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park. A great location for a meetup like this (with some great maker-like photographic art on exhibit). About 35 people were there with 10 new people.

	* March 23, 2018: Thanks to [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park for hosting us again. ~~The [https://goo.gl/zhcU61 presentation can be viewed online]~~		* March 23, 2018: Thanks to [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park for hosting us again.

	* March 28, 2018: We appreciated the [https://www.hbrobotics.org/ Homebrew Robotics Club] for letting us talk at their monthly members meeting. It's a spirited group of people, passionate about home built robots. The meeting was very interesting~~. The [https://goo.gl/mDCSfs presentation is online]~~.		* March 28, 2018: We appreciated the [https://www.hbrobotics.org/ Homebrew Robotics Club] for letting us talk at their monthly members meeting. It's a spirited group of people, passionate about home built robots. The meeting was very interesting.

	== The Formal Organization ==		== The Formal Organization ==

Jschrempp: /* Our History - Town Halls */

2026-04-24T02:00:36Z

Our History - Town Halls

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:00, 23 April 2026
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	* January 28, 2018: We held our second town hall. (Thanks to [https://altoschool.org/ Alto International School). About 40 new faces showed up. It was a lively crowd with a lot of laughs and questions. This community is really amazing.		* January 28, 2018: We held our second town hall. (Thanks to [https://altoschool.org/ Alto International School). About 40 new faces showed up. It was a lively crowd with a lot of laughs and questions. This community is really amazing.

	* February 15, 2018: We met in Palo Alto Riconada Library. We had about 40 people, many new faces. Eric's update included information on our site selection and equipment acquisition~~. You can [https://goo.gl/6RKdX6 view the slides online]~~.		* February 15, 2018: We met in Palo Alto Riconada Library. We had about 40 people, many new faces. Eric's update included information on our site selection and equipment acquisition.

	* February 25, 2018: We met again in the Palo Alto Riconada Library. We had about 50 people, more than half of whom were new. We updated the community with our progress in securing a location, including information on two sites we are pursuing~~. You can [https://goo.gl/m9vKfS view the slides here]~~.		* February 25, 2018: We met again in the Palo Alto Riconada Library. We had about 50 people, more than half of whom were new. We updated the community with our progress in securing a location, including information on two sites we are pursuing.

	* March 11, 2018: We met at the [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park. A great location for a meetup like this (with some great maker-like photographic art on exhibit). About 35 people were there with 10 new people. ~~You can [https://goo.gl/JbDCso view the slides online]~~		* March 11, 2018: We met at the [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park. A great location for a meetup like this (with some great maker-like photographic art on exhibit). About 35 people were there with 10 new people.

	* March 23, 2018: Thanks to [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park for hosting us again. The [https://goo.gl/zhcU61 presentation can be viewed online]		* March 23, 2018: Thanks to [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park for hosting us again. The [https://goo.gl/zhcU61 presentation can be viewed online]

Jschrempp at 23:28, 13 June 2023

2023-06-13T23:28:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:28, 13 June 2023
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	= Where is home? =		== Where is home? ==

	== We Move to 1330 ==		=== We Move to 1330 ===
	September 1, 2021 we reopen the makerspace in 21,000 square feet at 1330 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California. We are building it bigger and better than ever!		September 1, 2021 we reopen the makerspace in 21,000 square feet at 1330 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California. We are building it bigger and better than ever!

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	As of November 2022 Maker Nexus had about 325 paying members.		As of November 2022 Maker Nexus had about 325 paying members.

	== We're Open at 234 ==		=== We're Open at 234 ===
	In April 2019 we opened a full makerspace in 7,000 square feet at 234 East Caribbean Drive, Sunnyvale, California.		In April 2019 we opened a full makerspace in 7,000 square feet at 234 East Caribbean Drive, Sunnyvale, California.

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	August 2021 We close to make a move to a much bigger location, just three blocks from our existing place.		August 2021 We close to make a move to a much bigger location, just three blocks from our existing place.

	= How we started =		== How we started ==

	== Genesis ==		=== Genesis ===
	The day TechShop closed in November 2017, a number of staff and members went to a local beer garden to hold an impromptu wake. All lamented the loss of our makerspace. TechShop had not created a connected community and we were all afraid this group of like minded individuals would dissipate into the ether. The fact was, we didn't even know each other's last names. We didn't have email addresses. There was no Facebook group - no way to keep in touch to start something new.		The day TechShop closed in November 2017, a number of staff and members went to a local beer garden to hold an impromptu wake. All lamented the loss of our makerspace. TechShop had not created a connected community and we were all afraid this group of like minded individuals would dissipate into the ether. The fact was, we didn't even know each other's last names. We didn't have email addresses. There was no Facebook group - no way to keep in touch to start something new.

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	Much of what we did in the early days [[Starting_a_Maker_Space\|has been captured here]] to help other organizations get started.		Much of what we did in the early days [[Starting_a_Maker_Space\|has been captured here]] to help other organizations get started.

	==Our History - Town Halls==		===Our History - Town Halls===

	The 6 member Maker Nexus (MN) board had been working on our plan since the day TechShop closed. We had the help of several other people. We offered to have a board member speak to any group that was interested in our new shop.		The 6 member Maker Nexus (MN) board had been working on our plan since the day TechShop closed. We had the help of several other people. We offered to have a board member speak to any group that was interested in our new shop.
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	* March 28, 2018: We appreciated the [https://www.hbrobotics.org/ Homebrew Robotics Club] for letting us talk at their monthly members meeting. It's a spirited group of people, passionate about home built robots. The meeting was very interesting. The [https://goo.gl/mDCSfs presentation is online].		* March 28, 2018: We appreciated the [https://www.hbrobotics.org/ Homebrew Robotics Club] for letting us talk at their monthly members meeting. It's a spirited group of people, passionate about home built robots. The meeting was very interesting. The [https://goo.gl/mDCSfs presentation is online].

	= The Formal Organization =		== The Formal Organization ==

	You can [[Maker_Nexus_Board_of_Directors \| read about the formal history of the organization]].		You can [[Maker_Nexus_Board_of_Directors \| read about the formal history of the organization]].

	= History of Makerspaces in general =		== History of Makerspaces in general ==
	Craig Colvin started The Sawdust Shop in 2005 and The Crucible was the only maker space that he knew of in the Bay Area. They started in 1999 and moved to Oakland in 2003. There were 11 other shops around the country at the time that he could find.		Craig Colvin started The Sawdust Shop in 2005 and The Crucible was the only maker space that he knew of in the Bay Area. They started in 1999 and moved to Oakland in 2003. There were 11 other shops around the country at the time that he could find.

Jschrempp: /* We Move to 1330 */

2023-06-13T23:27:46Z

We Move to 1330

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:27, 13 June 2023
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			= Where is home? =

	== We Move to 1330 ==		== We Move to 1330 ==
	September 1, 2021 we reopen the makerspace in 21,000 square feet at 1330 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California. We are building it bigger and better than ever!		September 1, 2021 we reopen the makerspace in 21,000 square feet at 1330 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California. We are building it bigger and better than ever!

Jschrempp: /* How we started */

2023-06-13T23:27:07Z

How we started

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:27, 13 June 2023
Line 52:		Line 52:
	* March 28, 2018: We appreciated the [https://www.hbrobotics.org/ Homebrew Robotics Club] for letting us talk at their monthly members meeting. It's a spirited group of people, passionate about home built robots. The meeting was very interesting. The [https://goo.gl/mDCSfs presentation is online].		* March 28, 2018: We appreciated the [https://www.hbrobotics.org/ Homebrew Robotics Club] for letting us talk at their monthly members meeting. It's a spirited group of people, passionate about home built robots. The meeting was very interesting. The [https://goo.gl/mDCSfs presentation is online].

	== The Formal Organization ==		= The Formal Organization =

	You can [[Maker_Nexus_Board_of_Directors \| read about the formal history of the organization]].		You can [[Maker_Nexus_Board_of_Directors \| read about the formal history of the organization]].

	== History of Makerspaces in general ==		= History of Makerspaces in general =
	Craig Colvin started The Sawdust Shop in 2005 and The Crucible was the only maker space that he knew of in the Bay Area. They started in 1999 and moved to Oakland in 2003. There were 11 other shops around the country at the time that he could find.		Craig Colvin started The Sawdust Shop in 2005 and The Crucible was the only maker space that he knew of in the Bay Area. They started in 1999 and moved to Oakland in 2003. There were 11 other shops around the country at the time that he could find.

Jschrempp: /* How we started */

2023-06-13T23:26:13Z

How we started

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:26, 13 June 2023
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	August 2021 We close to make a move to a much bigger location, just three blocks from our existing place.		August 2021 We close to make a move to a much bigger location, just three blocks from our existing place.

	== How we started ==		= How we started =

			== Genesis ==
	The day TechShop closed in November 2017, a number of staff and members went to a local beer garden to hold an impromptu wake. All lamented the loss of our makerspace. TechShop had not created a connected community and we were all afraid this group of like minded individuals would dissipate into the ether. The fact was, we didn't even know each other's last names. We didn't have email addresses. There was no Facebook group - no way to keep in touch to start something new.		The day TechShop closed in November 2017, a number of staff and members went to a local beer garden to hold an impromptu wake. All lamented the loss of our makerspace. TechShop had not created a connected community and we were all afraid this group of like minded individuals would dissipate into the ether. The fact was, we didn't even know each other's last names. We didn't have email addresses. There was no Facebook group - no way to keep in touch to start something new.

Jschrempp: /* The History - Town Halls */

2023-06-13T23:16:12Z

The History - Town Halls

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:16, 13 June 2023
Line 31:		Line 31:
	Much of what we did in the early days [[Starting_a_Maker_Space\|has been captured here]] to help other organizations get started.		Much of what we did in the early days [[Starting_a_Maker_Space\|has been captured here]] to help other organizations get started.

	==~~The~~ History - Town Halls==		==Our History - Town Halls==

	The 6 member Maker Nexus (MN) board had been working on our plan since the day TechShop closed. We had the help of several other people. We offered to have a board member speak to any group that was interested in our new shop.		The 6 member Maker Nexus (MN) board had been working on our plan since the day TechShop closed. We had the help of several other people. We offered to have a board member speak to any group that was interested in our new shop.

Jschrempp: /* The History - Town Halls */

2023-06-13T23:15:43Z

The History - Town Halls

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:15, 13 June 2023
Line 18:		Line 18:

	August 2021 We close to make a move to a much bigger location, just three blocks from our existing place.		August 2021 We close to make a move to a much bigger location, just three blocks from our existing place.

			== How we started ==

			The day TechShop closed in November 2017, a number of staff and members went to a local beer garden to hold an impromptu wake. All lamented the loss of our makerspace. TechShop had not created a connected community and we were all afraid this group of like minded individuals would dissipate into the ether. The fact was, we didn't even know each other's last names. We didn't have email addresses. There was no Facebook group - no way to keep in touch to start something new.

			There was a lot of loose talk about doing something new, getting rich sponsors, leaning on local governments - plenty of ideas, some better than others; some people more committed to doing something than others. Jim Schrempp remembers finding a few people who talked thoughtfully and realistically about what it would take to create a new makerspace.

			Through the evening there coalesced a group of 5 people who decided to do something together: Robert Smith, Regina Sakols, Kirsten Winklebauer, Eric Hess, Jim Schrempp. They agreed to meet every weekend, and that next Sunday Jim hosted the first meeting of what became the "steering committee" at Angela Mallett's home in San Carlos. Two weeks later James Pistorino joined the steering committee. In January 2018, MN incorporated as non-profit in California and James opened a bank account so we could start raising money.

			The first order of business was to form some connections between all the people who used TechShop; this would be the core of our new community. Eric and Jim formed a Facebook group called TechShop Orphans and Jim set up a free Mailchimp account so we could send emails to keep people informed. We started collecting interested people.

			Much of what we did in the early days [[Starting_a_Maker_Space\|has been captured here]] to help other organizations get started.

	==The History - Town Halls==		==The History - Town Halls==
	The 6 member Maker Nexus (MN) board has been working on our plan since the day TechShop closed. We've had the help of several other people. We would be happy to have a board member speak to any group that is interested in our new shop.

	~~To get~~ the ~~shop open we need~~ a ~~minimum of 150 members and $125,000~~ in ~~donations. You can track~~ our ~~progress on the [http://makernexus.com Maker Nexus web site]~~.		The 6 member Maker Nexus (MN) board had been working on our plan since the day TechShop closed. We had the help of several other people. We offered to have a board member speak to any group that was interested in our new shop.

	* March 28, 2018: We appreciate the ~~[https://www.hbrobotics.org/ Homebrew Robotics Club] for letting us talk at their monthly members meeting. It's~~ a ~~spirited group~~ of ~~people~~, ~~passionate about home built robots. The meeting was very interesting~~. The [~~https~~://~~goo~~.~~gl/mDCSfs presentation is online~~].		To get the shop open we decided we needed a minimum of 150 members and $125,000 in donations. The public could track our progress on the [http://makernexus.org Maker Nexus web site].

	* ~~March 23~~, 2018: Thanks to [~~https~~://~~www.artventuresgallery~~.com~~/ Art Ventures Gallery~~] ~~in Menlo Park~~ for hosting us again. ~~The~~ [https://goo.gl/~~zhcU61 presentation can be viewed online~~]		* January 19, 2018: We held our first open town hall meeting. (Thanks to [http://hackerdojo.com Hacker Dojo] for hosting us.) About 80 people attended - the room was packed with some people sitting on the floor.

			* January 28, 2018: We held our second town hall. (Thanks to [https://altoschool.org/ Alto International School). About 40 new faces showed up. It was a lively crowd with a lot of laughs and questions. This community is really amazing.

			* February 15, 2018: We met in Palo Alto Riconada Library. We had about 40 people, many new faces. Eric's update included information on our site selection and equipment acquisition. You can [https://goo.gl/6RKdX6 view the slides online].

			* February 25, 2018: We met again in the Palo Alto Riconada Library. We had about 50 people, more than half of whom were new. We updated the community with our progress in securing a location, including information on two sites we are pursuing. You can [https://goo.gl/m9vKfS view the slides here].

	* March 11, 2018: We met at the [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park. A great location for a meetup like this (with some great maker-like photographic art on exhibit). About 35 people were there with 10 new people. You can [https://goo.gl/JbDCso view the slides online]		* March 11, 2018: We met at the [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park. A great location for a meetup like this (with some great maker-like photographic art on exhibit). About 35 people were there with 10 new people. You can [https://goo.gl/JbDCso view the slides online]

	* ~~February 25~~, 2018: ~~We met again in the Palo Alto Riconada Library~~. ~~We had about 50 people, more than half of whom were new~~. ~~We updated the community with our progress~~ in ~~securing a location, including information on two sites we are pursuing~~. ~~You can~~ [https://goo.gl/~~m9vKfS view the slides here~~].		* March 23, 2018: Thanks to [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park for hosting us again. The [https://goo.gl/zhcU61 presentation can be viewed online]

	* ~~February 15~~, 2018: We ~~met in Palo Alto Riconada Library~~. ~~We had about 40~~ people, ~~many new faces~~. ~~Eric's update included information on our site selection and equipment acquisition~~. ~~You can~~ [https://goo.gl/~~6RKdX6 view the slides~~ online].		* March 28, 2018: We appreciated the [https://www.hbrobotics.org/ Homebrew Robotics Club] for letting us talk at their monthly members meeting. It's a spirited group of people, passionate about home built robots. The meeting was very interesting. The [https://goo.gl/mDCSfs presentation is online].

	* January 28, 2018: We held our second town hall. (Thanks to [https://altoschool.org/ Alto International School). About 40 new faces showed up. It was a lively crowd with a lot of laughs and questions. This community is really amazing.		== The Formal Organization ==

	* January 19, 2018: We held our first open town hall meeting. (Thanks to [~~http://hackerdojo.com Hacker Dojo] for hosting us.) About 80 people attended -~~ the ~~room was packed with some people sitting on~~ the ~~floor~~.		You can [[Maker_Nexus_Board_of_Directors \| read about the formal history of the organization]].

	== History of Makerspaces in general ==		== History of Makerspaces in general ==