ICYMI: Meet four local makers during Maker Month on our podcast
From graphic design to barbecue sauce, these folks embody Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurial work ethic and DIY spirit
by Stephanie Brea
December 21, 2020
For the past four weeks on our podcast The Slaw: Staying on Top of Pittsburgh, we highlighted some local folks who make things for a living. From steel to ketchup to robotics, Pittsburgh has long been known for its entrepreneurial work ethic and DIY spirit. Listen to learn more about their origin stories, their creative processes, what inspires them, their dream collaborations, and how the pandemic has changed things for their small businesses.
Week 1: Paul Haggerty
Graphic designer Paul Haggerty’s moody aesthetic and vintage vibe can be seen locally on T-shirts, stickers, and pins. “I try to imagine what it would be like if the 70s never ended,” he says.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLh3oiqduRk[/embedyt]
Read the show notes: https://bit.ly/2VjObrG
Listen to episode 54:
Week 2: Darren Myers
A degree in art, followed by a home purchase that required a lot of work, led Darren Myers to travel to Vermont to learn more about woodworking. He loves that he is “able to harness an old-school skill set in the modern day, where it’s not as prevalent as it used to be.” His Etsy shop, From These Woods, offers everything from bottle openers to dice cups to cutting boards; he crafts custom-made furniture, too.
Read the show notes: https://bit.ly/3mFJlRo
Listen to episode 55:
Week 3: Oreen Cohen
In homage to Pittsburgh’s steel working past, in this episode, we chat with local artist Oreen Cohen, whose work includes large public sculptures. From listening to a community’s stories to scouring the streets for materials, Cohen explains how she gets inspiration from a particular place.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jfqEsx-F0E[/embedyt]
Read the show notes: https://bit.ly/2Wbq8LZ
Listen to episode 56:
Week 4: Jamal Etienne-Harrigan
Jamal Etienne-Harrigan is a self-proclaimed “tinkerer.” The man behind Uncle Jammy’s sauces and seasonings will often start with a name for a new product and work backwards. Learn about his process; his first proprietary barbecue sauce, Area 51 (it’s neon green!); and how a meeting with his neighbor, fellow small-business owner Dennis Guy of First Sip Brew Box, led to new Uncle Jammy’s products and collaborations.
Read the show notes: https://bit.ly/3r8T855
Listen to episode 57:
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