I’d bought a makey makey a few years before and knew I wanted to get more into electronics but wasn’t sure where to start. I’d lurked on the VHS website for quite a while. Then one night I decided to head down to the space (it was at Abbot and Hastings at the time). I loved the key winch and colourful alley folk. I didn’t find it super sketchy…just slightly sketchy.
The first time I went down was an open night…but no one was there! Curses.This was slightly discouraging but I came back the next Tuesday and had a great time.
When I walked in for the first time it was a little overwhelming. I was also the only woman in the space. Initially it felt quite weird and I wasn’t sure if I belonged. But soon I realized that I fit in as a geek/hacker/maker and that’s all that matters. People were very encouraging to me and I realized that being a self starter I could make anything and get the help I needed here.
On the next visit a mad physicist named Simon taught me how to solder. Then I attended a TV-B-Gone workshop which was excellent. I came home with my own hand-built universal remote control and turned off a few televisions in my neighbourhood. Thus my quest for electronics power began. I realized all the potential of VHS and all the things you could make.
I also started messing around with conductive paint and building tiny paper houses with photocells in the chimneys so that when light levels dim a little light inside the house turns on. People really liked those and I got lots of encouragement from members.
Then I moved on to SMD soldering tiny little circuits which is so fun and spent loads of time soldering badge boards as part of Richard and Tom’s crazy team of board
makers.
Now when stuff I own breaks down I take it apart and fix it. So far I have rebuilt my laptop including resoldering the board, taken apart and repaired my dishwasher, fixed a sewing machine, playstation controllers and other stuff. I’ve gotten into linux and there are still tons of things I want to do with arduinos, RGBs, and also, build a cat robot. I also have fun knitting socks and teaching people how to knit tiny shotglass coasters.
This is all possible at VHS. The space has been great to me. I’d love to see more women come out to space. Trust me when I say, you belong here.
I’ve met lots of interesting guys and gals who make things at VHS. Don’t be shy - it is a wonderful place to be.