Over on our sister site CapitolHillSeattle.com, we're writing about spaces where businesses have either closed down or moved on. First Hill has one of these spaces of its own -- and FHS is happy to report it's about to be reactivated. 1026 Madison, the former home of departed European boutique Mallow, is now home to Jigsaw Renaissance.
"Basically, we're a place for people to learn or create anything," co-owner Lion Kimbro tells FHS. We have a drill press, band saw, wood, myriad tools, a sewing machine, a fridge, and many many more things. We're like an unschool for adults."
Kimbro says Saturdays between 12 and 6 PM is a good time for stopping by. "It's our 'open house' time," Kimbro said. This Saturday, Jigsaw is planning to host lessons from a bonsai expert, by the way, so bring your scissors.
Jigsaw is planning a grand opening party for May 8th. The project joins Metrix Create:Space (an advertiser on sister site CHS) on the north end of Broadway in a growing trend of make space businesses in the area.
We also asked Kimbro a couple questions about the new space.
Why Jigsaw Renaissance now?
Because now is the right time! I think people are really tired of spirituality that are theory oriented, that don't get their hands dirty. I think people are tired of jobs that are all mindless computation, and don't have visible practicality. I think people want to connect with each other, and truly change their culture: Not in an abstract way, but in the day to day interaction. Everything can be so virtual these days; We are in a search for the actual. We want to actualize the power of dream, and we do it by connecting this beam to that bolt, and by watering this other plant so that it comes up leafy green.
These are my own feelings, these are my own thoughts -- everybody comes with a different story. But this is how it looks to me.
How does the business part work? (how do you make money? :) )
We are member driven.
Membership is most important to us, and a member is a person who strongly aligns with our vision, who strongly aligns with our mission.
After that, there are dues, which are $15/month. Keyed members contribute $100/month, and people can get a desk space for $200/month. There are other sources of income that we are exploring. Presently, we're about 1/2-way to our minimum financing goals. We're on a track, ...
The creative collaborations that come out of going from DIY (do it yourself) to DIWO (doing it with others) are phenomenal!
I've learned about constructing wearable electronics (with lots of REALLY COOL options for adding sound/light/etc to clothing), chaos magic, how to home brew beer, your not-so-traditional bonsai, encouragement to GO FOR IT and permission to be not-proficient while learning the violin, and so many new fun creative things that I have a hard time keeping track of them all.
I've also shared my skills in knitting, sewing (making ballet slippers for some of the young'uns), hand carving rubber stamps, making stencils, etc.
Jigsaw is the "clubhouse" I never even knew I longed for as a kid. Robotics, soap making and other "practical chemistry", interfacing of computer and music, making food together, watching movies on our HUGE video projector screen, being generally goofy, and having a space where I can work on my etsy projects * shameless self promotion: yarnnink.etsy.com * without taking over the whole small apartment or going crazy being by myself all day long.
I can't speak highly enough of the impacts Jigsaw is having on my own life and sense of community in First Hill... and what I see it doing for others in our neighborhood, individuals and businesses and other groups as well.
In short, WE USE OUR POWERS FOR AWESOME!
Come check... read more out!
Cheers,
Robin