Happening At The Shop...
Barn Wood, Mosaics & Beginner Confidence
Jesica built this beautiful barn wood frame during our Picture Frame Class… and naturally filled it with one of her mosaics. Honestly, I think everything she touches eventually turns into a mosaic.
This class has quietly become one of our favorite beginner woodworking projects because it checks all the boxes:
• approachable for new woodworkers
• satisfying to build
• useful and beautiful when finished
• and just enough creativity to make every frame completely different
Students learn basic woodworking skills while building a rustic barn wood frame they can use to showcase artwork, photos, mosaics, keepsakes, or whatever meaningful thing deserves wall space in their life.
It’s the kind of project that leaves people walking out of the shop thinking:“Wait… I made that?” And that confidence boost is kind of the whole point.
Building More Than a Lending Library
We welcomed 17 participants from the Bend Parks & Recreation Therapeutic Group into the DIYcave woodshop for a special community build project — creating a Little Free Library completely from scratch.
The Therapeutic Group program supports adults with cognitive and physical disabilities through community outings, volunteer opportunities, social connection, and hands-on experiences around Bend. We were honored to get to be part of one of those experiences.
The woodshop was full of teamwork, measuring, sanding, drilling, painting, problem solving, and a whole lot of laughter. Some participants jumped right into tools they had never used before, while others teamed up together to help assemble and decorate different parts of the project.
And by the end of the day? What started as stacks of lumber had turned into a real lending library built by many hands working together.
One of the best parts of DIYcave is watching people realize they are capable of making things they never thought they could. This was full of those moments.
Jack’s van is officially DONE and ready for the road!
Jack’s van is officially DONE and ready for the road just in time for the long weekend and the story behind it is one for the books.
After his previous van was destroyed in a freak accident (thankfully no one was inside), he found himself reluctantly starting over with a bare shell and no idea what would come next. But like every great hero’s path, the right mentor appeared. Steve, along with a whole cast of colorful Cave helpers guided him through each step.
Over two months, Jack picked up new skills, pushed through mistakes, frustrations, breakthroughs, and joy… and built something incredible.
Now the van is finished, he’s equipped for adventure, and life is richer for the journey through the Cave.
Upcoming Classes
Watch Our Story On CNN
DIYCAVE FEATURED ON CNN! 🎥✨
We’re proud to share that DIYcave was featured in a CNN segment showcasing the heart of our makerspace — our people, our shop areas, and the creative energy that powers it all.
WATCH THE CNN SEGMENT To see why DIYcave is more than just a shop — it’s a hub for making, learning, and community.
Huge thanks to everyone who helps make this space so special — this spotlight is for YOU! 💙
DIYcave is a community of people just like you.
We are a community makerspace in Bend, Oregon made up of artists, makers, hackers, entrepreneurs, educators, and craft enthusiasts with various interests and skills. At DIYcave Makerspace, we provide the space, tools, equipment, and supportive community you need to create, build, collaborate, and learn new skills. You bring the ideas and materials—we’ll help you make it happen. All the skills needed to operate any of the equipment at DIYcave can be acquired through one of our many hands-on classes, workshops, tool certifications, or private lessons.
Most of our makerspace tools are available to use as soon as your membership begins. However, certain equipment—such as the table saw, CNC router table, woodworking lathe, laser cutters, MIG/TIG welders, and other fabrication tools—requires prior tool certification. Please request certification before coming in to use specialized tools.
Our communal shop supports a wide range of DIY projects and offers access to tools and resources for:
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Woodworking and Wood Lathe Turning
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Welding and Metal Working
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Blacksmithing
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3D printing
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Laser Cutting
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CNC Routing and Plasma Cutting
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Glass - Stained and Fused
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Jewelry Making and Metalsmithing
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Leather Working
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Sewing
Whether you're a beginner or experienced maker, DIYcave is your gateway to creative projects, skill-building, and hands-on learning in a vibrant, collaborative environment.
