TechShop, a membership based, open access workshop that has been exhibiting at every Bay Area Maker Faire since the inaugural event in 2006, will once again have an impressive show at the world’s largest “maker” gathering. This year, the Goldsmith event sponsor will showcase TechShop makers at work on their latest innovations and feature core equipment and software the company offers its DIY members for a monthly access fee. A hands-on make-and-take activity area will round out the TechShop booths in Expo Hall. In addition, TechShop staff will participate in General Electric's GE Garages as part of the curated road show of hands-on DIY projects and mini learning opportunities for aspiring makers.

Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. Held at the San Mateo Event Center on May 19-20, the event is a celebration of the Maker movement.

"Maker Faire brings makers together in one place to share ideas, tools and innovations" said Dale Dougherty, founder editor and publisher of MAKE magazine and Maker Faire. "TechShop provides the tools and instruction for attendees who love to learn new skills. Once you leave Maker Faire, you're going to want to go to TechShop to start making things and meet other makers."

"TechShop provides access to workspace, machines, tools, instruction, and the inspiration and support of a community of fellow makers," said Jim Newton, who founded TechShop in 2006. "Our mission – to engage, encourage and empower everyone to build their dreams – is directly in line with what Maker Faire was created to do, which is to establish a gathering place where the DIY spirit comes to life."

TechShop CEO Mark Hatch will deliver a related keynote, “Democratizing Access to the Tools of Innovation,” on Saturday, May 19, at 3:30 PM on the Main Stage.  

TechShop Moves to Expo Hall

Attendees can experience the shop community, right down to the free popcorn offered at every TechShop location, in Expo Hall booths 6 and 7, with a 360-degree view of featured members working on various machines to show how they build their dreams. Visitors can try their hands at make-and-take projects and staff will be on hand to answer questions about the workshop, membership and special discounts that will be available only during Maker Faire.

TechShop Member Active Exhibits

• TechShop San Francisco store manager Blaine Dehmlow will be building a wooden kayak using the ShopBot CNC router
• San Francisco member Laura Bruland will be turning book covers into puppets and jewelry on the laser cutter
• TechShop instructor Dan Frieschl will be making copies of his Bosavi LED headlamp on the injection molder
• San Jose member Andy Filo will be printing components for his jet pack on the 3D printer

Maker Faire Specials

Visitors will be able to purchase TechShop memberships and classes at special Maker Faire prices at TechShop's sales counter as well as online. 

Specials include a 1-month, 1-class package for $79, a 3-month, 2-class pack for $299 plus many more. For the full list of specials available online for a limited time before and after the Maker Faire Bay Area event, go to:  http://www.techshop.ws/offers/?code=mf2012

Upcoming Events

Find out more at TechShop's post-Maker Faire Open Houses and special events. 

• Saturday, June 2: TechShop Menlo Park 
• Saturday, June 9: TechShop San Jose and TechShop San Francisco
• Sunday, June 17: GeekDad Days in conjunction with Wired magazine at all five nationwide store locations 

For a full list of events, go to: http://www.techshop.ws/Upcoming_Events.html

For TechShop locations, see: http://www.techshop.ws/locations.html

About Maker Faire

The inaugural Maker Faire was held in San Mateo, Calif., in 2006. Maker Faire Bay Area will celebrate its seventh annual Bay Area event in May 2012 with over 100,000 people in attendance. As Maker Faire has grown in popularity and relevance, additional Faires were launched in 2010 in Detroit and New York City. Community-driven, independently produced Mini Maker Faire events inspired by Maker Faire are now being produced around the United States and the world. Maker Faire is supported by MAKE magazine and O'Reilly Media, the information source for leading-edge computer technologies. For more information about Maker Faire, please visit www.makerfaire.com