Happening At The Shop...
Baker Web Academy Students Built Adirondack Chairs
Every week our woodshop got a little louder, a little busier, and honestly… a lot more fun when the Baker Web Academy students rolled in.
This semester the students have been taking over the DIYcave woodshop to design and build their own Adirondack chairs completely from scratch — learning real woodworking skills along the way. They’re measuring, cutting, sanding, drilling, assembling, fixing mistakes, solving problems, and slowly watching piles of lumber turn into actual furniture they built themselves.
And the coolest part? These aren’t little craft projects. These are full-sized chairs that students will be able to use for years.
One student said it was “the best school day of the year.” Another told us he had been saving up to buy a band saw before realizing he might just be able to use the tools here at DIYcave instead.
Baker Web Academy is an online school, and after seven weeks of learning about tools on a screen, the students finally got to step into a real woodshop and try everything with their own hands. And that’s the magic part.
Nothing beats the moment when knowledge turns into sawdust, confidence, real-world skill, and passion.
There’s something really awesome about seeing young makers gain confidence in the shop. By the end of class, students who started out nervous around tools are confidently using drills, sanders, clamps, measuring tools, and learning how to think through the building process step by step.
The woodshop has been full of teamwork, sawdust, problem solving, and a lot of proud moments lately. We love seeing the next generation of makers already off to such a strong start.
Huge shoutout to the Baker Web Academy students — the chairs are looking fantastic.
Think it, Make It!
Shannon's Wood Turning Birthday Celebration
Four friends came into the shop to celebrate Shannon’s birthday (she’s second from the left), and honestly… we can’t think of a much better way to spend a birthday than making something beautiful with the people who make your life beautiful.
One of the things we love most about DIYcave is that creativity becomes part of people’s memories here. Sometimes it’s someone learning a new skill for the first time. Sometimes it’s finally building a project they’ve dreamed about for years. And sometimes it’s simply friends gathering around a lathe to celebrate someone they love.
First Projects Coming Out of the Lapidary Shop
There’s something really satisfying about watching a rough, dusty rock slowly transform into something smooth, polished, and beautiful — especially when it’s your first time doing it yourself.
Over the past few weeks, students in our Lapidary classes at DIYcave have been learning the full process of shaping and polishing stones using professional lapidary equipment. Starting with rough material, students learn how to cut, grind, shape, sand, and polish stones into finished cabochons and polished pieces ready for jewelry, collections, or display.
Make a Fused Glass Optical Illusion Dish
Glass can do some pretty incredible things in the kiln—and our NEW Fused Glass Optical Illusion Dish Class is designed to show you exactly that.
In this class, students will explore how pattern placement and color interaction create eye-catching optical illusion effects once the glass is fused and slumped into its final dish shape. This beginner-friendly workshop combines color, pattern, and heat to create a dish that appears to shift and move depending on the angle you view it from. The result is a functional piece of art that feels a little bit science experiment, a little bit magic, and completely unique to you.
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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Stained Glass and Fused Glass
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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.
