About this Event
INDUSTRIES IN FOCUS: FABRICATION + PRODUCT DESIGN + TECH + ENGINEERING + ARCHITECTURE + ARTS & CRAFTS
Join SEATTLE CREATES for a very special field trip to North End Makerspace — a community-powered creative hub packed with professional-grade tools and the people who know how to use them. Nestled in North Seattle, this is the kind of place that turns curious beginners into confident makers.
What are we gonna do?
Get a firsthand orientation of the space led by NEM's knowledgeable stewards, who'll walk you through every tool and station on the floor. We're talking 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC woodworking, industrial JUKI sewing machines, embroidery machines, and more.
Then hear directly from Architect and founder Eileen Xu about how she got her start at NEM. Trained as an architect, Eileen transferred her knowledge of parametric modeling to the workshop floor, using NEM's tools and CNC machines to create her signature food-inspired pieces. Grab a hands-on ticket to build your very own sunny side up egg coaster and experience the joys of woodworking yourself.
DETAILS
📅 Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 6 - 7:30 PM
📍 North End Makerspace
12317 15th Ave NE Ste. #103,
Seattle, WA 98125
EVENT TIMELINE
- 5:45–6:00 pm > Arrive early, park on the street or across the street at Safeway, and get settled
- 6:00 pm > Orientation of North End Makersapce — stewards walk you through tools and stations
- 6:30 pm > Workshop led by Eileen Xu
- 7:00 pm > Hands-on building
- 7:30–8:00 pm > Wrap up, learn about NEM memberships, networking and farewells
FROM SCREEN TO SAWDUST >> Workshop led by Eileen Xu of OODSHOP.
She'll take you through her journey at the intersection of digital precision and tactile craft, and how the skills she built in one industry opened unexpected doors in another. If you've ever wondered how your own background could unlock something new — this is the conversation for you.
- Part 1 — The Theory of Digital Fabrication
Eileen demystifies the technology behind parametric modeling and CNC machining. You'll get an intro to Rhinoceros 3D + Grasshopper, Fusion 360 & CAM software, and learn how digital files are translated into precise, machine-cut objects. - Part 2 — The Joys of Tactile
The final steps of creation belong to you. Hands-on ticket holders will select from an assortment of unique pre-cut egg shapes and wood species, then assemble, hand-sand, and apply wood finish to bring their very own sunny side up egg coaster to life. - Part 3 — Personalization & Community
Want to add a custom signature to your piece? This workshop is your gateway to NEM's full suite of tools: laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC woodworking, and more — and the vibrant maker community behind them.
TICKETS
🐣 Early Bird. Hands-on workshop $20
Full hands-on workshop experience at a discount! (available until May 7, 11:59pm)
🥚 Hands-on workshop $30
Hands-on workshop with Eileen. Includes all materials to assemble, sand, and finish your very own sunny side up egg coaster to take home.
🪵 Tour Only & Listen In — Free
Come tour North End Makerspace. No hands-on building.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
- Full orientation of professional fabrication tools + creative stations
- Meet makers across industries: engineers, artists, builders, STEM orgs + more
- Learn about affordable North End Makerspace memberships starting at $45/month which includes 24/7 secure FOB access
- Industry opportunities + career development pathways
- Networking + social skill sharpening
- Access to makers, mentors, and creative professionals
- A chance to plug into Seattle's maker scene and Return to Craft
ABOUT NORTH END MAKERSPACE (NEM)
Located in the north end of the greater Seattle area, NEM is a nonprofit, all-volunteer-run creative hub in Seattle's Pinehurst neighborhood, built around an inclusive community of makers, creators, and artists of all skill levels. Their mission is to provide a friendly, affordable space and professional-grade tools: spanning 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC woodworking, sewing machines and more so that makers, artists, scientists, and tinkerers can collaborate, invent, and grow. Members enjoy 24/7 access to the space and a community that shares resources, knowledge, and a passion for making.
Learn more: https://northendmakers.org/
ABOUT EILEEN XU
Eileen Xu is a Seattle-based architect, woodworker, and founder of OODSHOP, a sustainable, woman-owned studio crafting bespoke furniture, architectural finishes, and sculptural art objects. Raised between China and Singapore, Eileen holds a B.E. in Landscape Architecture from Tongji University and a Master of Architecture from Pratt Institute. While practicing as a licensed architect in Seattle, she found her true calling in woodworking, where engineering, creativity, and a deep respect for natural materials and cultural memory all meet. Warm, intentional, and energetically alive, her work embodies a lifestyle of purposeful presence and genuine connection.
See her work: https://www.instagram.com/oodshop.co/
ABOUT SEATTLE CREATES
SEATTLE CREATES is a creative workforce development initiative designed to fuel the creative economy. We offer free and low-barrier access to in-person workshops, field trips, and hands-on industry training that helps people build skills, expand their networks, and thrive in today's interdisciplinary workforce. Rooted in the intersection of arts, technology, and community, we connect curious people with the professionals, spaces, and opportunities that can change the trajectory of their creative lives.
Let's stay connected and create something amazing together.
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This is a partnership effort. Thank you to Eileen Xu, OODSHOP, North End Makerspace, The Olivia Neal Experience Inc, Duo Design & Media, Xiaolin Ma, Mars Nelson, 4 Culture, Allied Arts Foundation, Women in Tech REGATTA, Wheelhouse Washington, and Seattle Creative Directory for making this experience possible.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
12317 15th Ave NE #103, 12317 15th Avenue Northeast, Seattle, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 33.85
