The Electric Sheep Maker Space is open in The Madery, the downstairs space of COHatch’s Library location on the green. Owner Josh Walker offers a unique variety of equipment, classes, and training for makers, and we chatted with him about how he started the space, what he’s featuring now, and what’s coming soon.

By Nicholas Dekker

Nick: How do you describe The Electric Sheep to newcomers?
Josh: I describe it as a makerspace and print shop with the objective of helping people explore, find and develop their creativity.

Nick: How did you come to open The Electric Sheep?
Josh: My background is in graphic design and marketing/visual procurement. I was downsized from a corporate job a few years ago and decided to attempt to make my own path. I started by consulting on projects and then began acquiring production equipment and was running the business out of my home.

Nick: And where did the idea of a maker space come from?
Josh: When I was at 31 Gifts, one of things that set them apart was the personalization component. You could order a bag and have your name or a short message put on it. That was something that was different for 31 Gifts. When I was there, I was like, “This is interesting. I could do this. I could buy a laser and I could do some of these things.” After I left, I started considering what would it take to buy into something and I started researching. So it was in early 2019 I had started an LLC, and it was that summer when I started looking at equipment. At first it was kind of to do something for fun, and then it morphed and I stopped consulting and started making things.

Nick: What does Electric Sheep offer?
Josh: Currently we offer wide format print services, T-shirt production, scanning, laser cutting/engraving, embroidery, dye sublimation, and more. Ultimately, my goal is to be able to offer memberships for people to use the space and equipment to help launch or grow their own business and/or be a space where people can meet to collaborate on projects.

When I offer the memberships, I’ll have to do courses for safety and proper use of the equipment. From what I’ve seen in the maker space landscape, mine is more unique than the other ones out there. I’ll train them on what to do, what not to do, tips and tricks. Then I’ll have the consumables available. They might not have access to buy material wholesale, whereas I do and I can. That’s something I can do and pass that savings on to them.

Nick: I see you offer classes, too. What classes have been the most popular?
Josh: We lead or host a variety of workshops – painting, wreath-making, motivational, and more. When we did the wreath-making recently on a Saturday morning, we had a Bloody Mary bar and I bought a quiche from Sassafras. It’s not just a class, it’s an experience.

There’s a good chance that I will be offering a class in cornhole board design and construction this spring. Painting has been the most popular thus far, but I expect some new offerings that we are working on to also be popular.

Nick: Anything else you think we should know?
Josh: I am a USN vet and my goal is to provide mostly Made in the USA offerings/products. I also plan on opening a retail shop with local made crafts and goods at the same location.