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The Hamblen County Girl Scouts Troop 20617 visited with the Morristown Makers on Wednesday to learn about the facility and all it offers.

Morristown Makers is a shared space for individuals to engage in crafts and DIY projects. The creative possibilities are endless as they have a variety of tools and a community of like-minded makers who want to help others be successful in their creative endeavors.

Several members of the club gave the scouts tours of the facility and helped them with their own project. David Peach, Stephanie Peach, Matthew Ulrich, Adam Lawson and Bettie Peach were among the members present.

As the scouts toured the facility many were eager to get their hands on a set of tools

“I’m really excited because I have never been here or seen any of these tools in my life and I’m just so excited to build something and come home and show everyone what I made,” a scout said. “It’s really interesting and I really like it so far.”

20617’s Troop Leader Amanda Buchanan explained the importance of teaching the girls how to utilize tools in the shop.

“It’s very important that we are here because girls are not usually taught things like this,” Buchanan said. “No one thinks ‘oh let’s teach our girls how to use these machines’ and us being here will open the scouts’ eyes and teach them that they can do anything they set their mind to.”

“I hope the girls will learn that it is much more special to make something with their hands rather than going to the store and buying it.”

Buchanan highlighted the services offered at Morristown Makers.

”This is a great community place that grants members access to several tools and machines that the average person doesn’t have in their home,” she said. “They also teach you how to run the machines for those who want to use the machines but aren’t sure how to operate them.”

In addition to the several home improvement tools, the facility is also equipped with several technological tools that can help complete various projects, including: a 3D printer and vinyl cutter.

Morristown Makers offers classes in 3D printing, design, woodworking and many skills in between. It offers two levels of memberships, basic and supported.

A Basic Membership which is $50 monthly, grants members 24/7 access to the space and its tools, after completing training. Members can also vote on issues that are presented to the general membership of the makerspace. They also get discounts to any classes being offered during their membership.

To become a member, attendance to at least two of its open meetings or class events is required. After those interested will fill out a membership application and liability waiver. The membership application and membership liability waiver can be found on the Morristown Makers website under the Membership tab.

A supported membership requires sponsorship by a regular member. Supported members must have their sponsoring member present to access the space. However, if any member is present and willing to host the supported member, they are welcome to use the space while the full member is present and still willing to host the supported member. The process for joining is the same as for members.

The Morristown Makers offers several classes and workshops to help educate members and the community how to use machines in its facility.

The vinyl cutting class doesn’t require previous experience and teaches the art of vinyl work. Although there are many different software packages that can be used for controlling a vinyl cutter, Morristown Makers uses the free Inkscape program.

The welding class, an introductory class, is a primer that covers the basics needed to develop this skill. In this class students can expect to learn things such as, what welding is, metal prep and its purpose, how a MIG welding machine works and practical experience with a basic joint.

The facility also offers a basic sewing class, a picture frame class and a how to use your cell phone for photography.

Morristown Makers is located at 5065 West Andrew Johnson Hwy.

For more information, sign up for a class, or become a member, visit the Morristown Makers website or call 423-492-0707.