iFixit

A micro-soldering mom.

This morning I saved over a hundred dollars by replacing the pipes underneath my kitchen sink. My wife asked, "wouldn't you prefer to call a plumber?" Why, if I could fix it myself?

There is a great website, iFixit, that offers how to fix tips for all kinds of things, and I was intrigued by their newsletter this afternoon, pointing to a soldering mom. You've heard of soccer moms, but have you heard of one who solders? This mom wanted to fix her iPhone, but it involved micro-soldering. She taught herself to do it, and now has a specialized business, fixing things that require her new skill.

Along the same vein, but in a slightly different direction, a friend of mine sent a catalog of Hemslöjd. Hemslöjd means home craft in Swedish. Unfortunately, this catalog is about things you can buy, not things you can make and too little of it is hand crafted. It is important to support those who make by buying their stuff. But it is even more important for each of us to join the community of makers and develop skills in our own hands and minds.

As Salomon said so well, the value of the carpenter's work may be in the  object he or she crafts. The value of the student's work is in the student. Making, fixing and creating are transformational engagements. If the world were full of makers and fixers, it would be a much better place.

Make, fix and create...