Maker Karen<p><a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/introduction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>introduction</span></a></p><p>Hello, I'm Karen and my background is <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/mechanicalengineering" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>mechanicalengineering</span></a>. I have a day job career in <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/projectmanagement" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>projectmanagement</span></a> for the design, installation and startup of food and beverage <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/manufacturing" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>manufacturing</span></a> <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/packaging" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>packaging</span></a> and <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/processing" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>processing</span></a> equipment for large <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/CPG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CPG</span></a> companies. It has held my attention for the past 25 years, (<a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/GenX" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>GenX</span></a>) and, though stressful at times, I do enjoy it.</p><p>I am also a <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/maker" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>maker</span></a>. I founded a <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/nonprofit" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>nonprofit</span></a>, incidentally called <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/IAmAMaker" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>IAmAMaker</span></a> or AKA [ I am a Maker ]. I feel strongly that everybody has the capacity to make, whether it is food, photography, electronics, software, fiber arts, artisan crafts, wood or metal working, writing, really anything. </p><p>Creating something from nothing is what we do as humans and I encourage others to exercise their mind in the process of creation. </p><p>My primary mode of <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/making" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>making</span></a> is <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/sewing" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>sewing</span></a>. However, I also <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/crochet" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>crochet</span></a>, and experiment with concrete for making <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/candles" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>candles</span></a> and other home goods. I make items to sell to fund the nonprofit activities that include community service projects, a <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/combatrobot" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>combatrobot</span></a> event, <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/hebocon" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>hebocon</span></a>, <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/DenverAreaFactoryTours" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>DenverAreaFactoryTours</span></a> and monthly free activities that bring the local community together from the surrounding areas of <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/Longmont" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Longmont</span></a> <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/Boulder" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Boulder</span></a> and <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/Niwot" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Niwot</span></a> in <a href="https://frontrange.co/tags/Colorado" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Colorado</span></a>.</p><p>The reason I started the nonprofit was to encourage people to take control of their own creativity and own it, no matter what it is they make. My hope is that others will give themselves the permission to start something new, try a new hobby and share with one another.</p>