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Wowser Works: Espresso Yourself

May 22, 2015 By RogerWilson 1 Comment

James Welding Espresso YourselfWe have been hard at work fabricating the Espresso Yourself cafe structure.  Imagine deciding to build the most complicated room in your home, the kitchen.

In this article I’d like to show the many great things you can learn when you are working on a fun, creative project.

So many details to consider.  We started with a Gypsy wagon look.  Kind of Tiny home-ish, and then Reality jumped in. When you have several workers making coffee inside, they ALL need to be able to turn around!

So our 16′ long by 8′ wide, became 10 feet wide.  No problem for this prototype unit. It won’t be traveling.

We went with a 1.5″ x 1.5″ steel tube frame.  Easy to weld, easy (sort of) to shape, and easy to adapt. (You always have to adapt on a prototype, issues come up. )   Like the roof. Our plan and the look requires a curved fabric roof.  light and airy feeling, whimsical, and yet enclosed.  Ok so far.  Steel ribs (bent nicely on our tubing roller) give the shape.  yes, it looks great. Now the fabric.  Must be 701 fire retardant rated, no problem.

opps.

When it’s inside our fire-sprinkler building; it must have sprinklers IF THERE IS A CEILING.

Ok, no enclosed fabric roof.  Too bad, and it will still look good. (the fabric roof will just have to wait for the real traveling wagon.) Plywood counters in place? check.  Wait, Health & Safety says, “No bare wood.” Ok, time to price out Formica surfaces. (Good thing we know how to apply and router the edges of Formica.) Now we just have to pick a smooth, washable surface and color.  Water lines (both hot & cold), stainless steel main sink. commercial frig, coffee brewer, grinders, blenders, water filter, water conditioner, cash register, coffee gjdfecaimugs, ice maker, all set!

Wait, we also need a good ESPRESSO MAKER!! Ok, we got that too.

hmm, all those machines need electricity.  Time to buy wire and outlets and GCFI outlets. and start bending EMT conduits.  New 100Amp sub-panel installed? check!

Paint.  (Yes, all surfaces from ground up to 4′ must be smooth & washable.)  Glossy paint in hand.

When the “working ” parts are done, then we’ll still have to do the “artistic” parts.  If our members wanted coffee from a simple kitchen, they could have THAT at home.  This needs to look WONDERFUL. (It shall!) Plus we will be serving Thanksgiving Coffee and tea from Mendocino Tea Lady.

hmm, our customer/members will probably want to put down their coffee cups while eating their snacks.  Better buy some table rounds (to place on the oak barrel tables)
We hope to be serving you members in about 3 more weeks in time for our summer classes.

Come join us now to see the work in progress. You can help or watch and learn (while having fun). :)

– Roger

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Filed Under: blog Tagged With: espresso yourself cafe

Call for Makers and Artists

May 19, 2015 By Cyndee Logan Leave a Comment

Teach at Wowser this summerHave you always wanted to make a difference in a young person’s life? Do you have a skill you are willing to share? Can you volunteer ten hours of your time this summer? Wowser is hosting workshops this summer, targeted to high school aged youth. We’d like to offer you a chance to give back.

We’re holding eight, separate weekly sessions over the summer. We’re asking you pick a week, and the first or second time slot, to share what you know.

There are several instructors in place and we’re looking for more so we can offer as wide a variety of opportunities for our members this summer.

We’re looking for both physical makers and artistic makers. The types of classes include: welding, woodworking, lost-wax casting, painting (both artistic and house painting) bike repair, stained glass, sign making, electronics, alternate medicine kit, build your own computer, storytelling, make a 4th of July float, make something steam punk, sewing, and costume making. Tell me what you want to teach and we can probably plug it in.

The dates are:

  • June 15 to 19
  • June 22-27
  • June 20 to July 3 (short week)
  • July 7 to July 12
  • July 15 to July 19
  • July 22 to July 26
  • July 28 to Aug 1
  • August 4 to August 8

Times are either 12:30 pm – 2:30 p m or 4 pm – 6 pm.

Our summer program runs for eight weeks, and we’re asking for time commitments of 10 hours a week, (or longer if you wish). This will be a rewarding and fun project! If you have a skill you want to share with our teens, please let me know.

Join us for a little bit or a lot of your summer.

Please email Cyndee or call: 707-459-9697, or stop by to talk, 330 East Commercial St. Willits, CA 95490.

– Cyndee Logan

Image Credit

Filed Under: blog

Give

May 12, 2015 By Wowser Leave a Comment

Give to wowser now

Through the generosity of people like you, our work has made a difference in the lives of people in our community. Your gift to Wowser allows us to serve the community by providing vocational skills training, inspiring creativity, and bolstering local economic growth.

Your support is crucial to sustain the dozens of projects that are being conducted.

I’m in and will support Wowser’s work by clicking the button below and donating money.

im-in

 

Filed Under: blog

Membership Special

May 8, 2015 By Wowser Leave a Comment

FBLogoWant something to do this summer?  Join Wowser!  If you are too busy this summer, join anyway to help support our summer program.

We’re offering a special from now through June 15th for half-off our normal membership fee. You can become a member for just $50 or $4.44 a month for twelve months.

This is not a ‘boys only’ place; EVERYONE over 14 years-old is welcome!

Wowser offers different things for different people. You get access to all kinds of tools and machines. You get to go to our new coffee shop, work on group projects, watch others work on their projects, AND as part of our membership drive, all of our summer classes are FREE. Classes range from welding to jewelry making to 3D Modeling and more.

We’ll be announcing our final summer class schedule by May 28 and class sign-ups will be available at that time. (Schedule is here.)

Starting June 15th, and for eight continuous weeks, we will offer different choices for introductory classes. Each week will have adventures in making, building, learning, and growing. We’re asking you to participate in our membership drive, even if you do not want to attend the summer sessions, to help support our program.

Sign up as a member now by CLICKING HERE and selecting $4.44 and check “make this a monthly gift.” Bring the receipt in and we will get you started!

 

Filed Under: blog

Summer Skills Training

May 8, 2015 By Wowser Leave a Comment

The purpose of Wowser is to provide, for the interested people of the Greater Willits Area, a transformed ability to use experiential learning as a pathway for a personal life that works.

In support of that purpose, Wowser is developing a summer program and we want you!

  • Starting June 15th, and for eight continuous weeks we’ll offer different choices for introductory classes as listed below. Each week will have adventures in making, building, learning, and growing.
  • Doors open each day at 11:00 am with opening circle starting at 11:30 am.
  • Each day starts with an hour of ideas and suggestions for what will happen and how to do it today.
  • Badge forms must be signed by a parent or guardian for all under 18 years of age.
  • We are also working with Mendocino Community College and may have college credit courses available this summer.
  • Classes are Free for all Wowser Members (College classes would be separate.)
  • We’re offering a special from now through June 15th for half-off our normal membership fee. You can become a member for just $50 or $4.44 a month for twelve months. Sign up for this special promo by clicking here.

Each class is one week long. Summer offerings so far are:

  1. Welding – MIG, drilling, cutting, grinding, & Plasma cutter. Items that we’ll be making include: tool boxes, name-plates, treasure chests and more.
  1. Wood-working – Drilling, cutting, sanding, gluing and router. We’ll make tool boxes, small clever wood boxes, treasure chest, rubber band guns, puzzle boards, wooden ladder toys, and more.
  1. Costuming- clothes – Sewing, grommets, patterns, hot-glue, laces. In this class we’ll be make hats, sashes, vests, capes, masks, pouches, and gloves.
  1. Costuming- props – Small wood-working, grommets, hot-glue, sheet metal work, laces. Items made will include steampunk goggles, ray guns, sonic screwdrivers, time-benders, and watches.
  1. Circus arts – Juggling, acrobats, German wheel, poi-spinning practice (no fire). We’ll make practice Poi sets, Juggling balls, and juggling boxes.
  1. Blinky lights – LED wearables, EL wire signs, EL Wire wearable, Programmable LED. In this engaging class we’ll make ear-rings, necklaces, broaches, tiaras, vests, signs
  1. Computer building – From parts to a PC.
  2. Bike-making – Pick one of our frames and build a bike.
  1. Lost wax casting – Small wax designs into silver. We’ll make ring, ear-rings, necklaces, broaches, and art pieces.
  1. Story-telling & improv. Just for fun. :)

Plus we’ll offer a block of Digging with a Kubota KX-91 Mini-Excavator.

Classes will be limited to six students each. Class schedule and registration will be available starting on May 28th.

As a special treat, every evening at 6PM Espresso Yourself at Wowser offers, a member only coffee shop.

You choose which class you want to go to, all or none, and one week or all eight.  This is up to you!  You schedule your time this summer!  Or, just hang out at Espresso Yourself coffee shop for Wowser members in the evenings. You may take each subject only once over the summer.  We will have a firm schedule out by May 28th on our website.

In the meantime, be sure to sign up as a member by June 15th for a special discounted rate of $4.44 per month (for twelve months). Your membership will allow you to attend any of the summer classes for Free! Enroll as a member by clicking here. If you are already a member or live outside of the area but would love to support Wowser please click here. 

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: wood-working

Participate

April 8, 2015 By Wowser Leave a Comment

We’ve secured a private contribution of $50,000 contingent on a match of the same amount. Your donation will go towards the match.

Please consider a huge contribution. At the same time, the irony is small contributions always add up to be more than the larger contributions.

Click “I’m in” to participate today.

im-in

Filed Under: blog

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Donate

Wowser is a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit makerspace. If you want to donate, click the button below.

Contact Us:

Address:
Wowser
330 E. Commercial St
Willits, CA 95490

phone: (707) 459-9697

e-mail : Click Here

Workshops

Wowser offers a range of workshops covering all sorts of topics. You can see what we are currently offering by downloading our current Workshops PDF (Click Here).

Membership Application Forms

Download our membership application form for adults by clicking here.

Download application and minor release form here for people under 18 by clicking here.

About Wowser

FBLogo
Wowser is a non-profit makerspace located in Willits, California. Our mission is to provide an industrial/arts build facility where people learn, make, and teach.

Wowser is a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit makerspace.

Contact Info & Hours

Hours
7 Days a Week: Noon till 6pm
Contact
phone: (707) 459-9697
e-mail : Contact Form
Address
Wowser
330 E. Commercial St
Willits, CA 95490

Copyright © 2019 · Wowser · 330 E. Commercial St Willits, CA 95490 · (707) 459-9697 · Site By: Radiant Tribes

Wowser is a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit makerspace.