Antoinette Oehme, a technician at The Big Idea Makerspace since it opened in February 2019, is resigning, but she will leave with a deep passion for mission to help entrepreneurs.

Oehme wanted a full-time position at The Big Idea. She is allotted 29 hours per week, but said she often spends well over 40 at the “Space,” as she calls it. She recently resigned because she needed full-time hours.

Funding for the facility at San Juan College has come through various grants, but most were designated for equipment and materials, rather than staffing.

A San Juan College graduate, Oehme began her college employment in work-study, moved to medical credentialing, then jumped at the opportunity to become the first Makerspace technician.

“I’ve been here since The Big Idea was two empty rooms. When I was hired here, I unpacked all the boxes,” Oehme said. “This is the space, my space … my heart and soul.”

Oehme comes from a family of makers, of do-it-your-selfers. Her family includes custom woodworkers, bladesmiths, ceramic artists, plumbers and electricians. “We had a 43-acre, full-working ranch growing up, so if something broke, you fixed it,” she said.

Now an avid gamer, she didn't receive her first game until age 24. Her family was busy with animals and ranching, so technology was always slower to show up. She now tries to create a balance between nature and technology, especially with her five children.

The “Space” provides impressive equipment, including 3D printers, computer lab, large-format printer and vinyl cutter, sublimation machine, laser engraver and cutter, metalworking equipment, sewing station, technology bench and woodworking equipment.

The sublimation machine uses infusible ink sheets to press sublimation transfers. Oehme called it “massive” – two huge printers capable of printing numerous files at once or a full bolt of custom fabric. Sublimation transfers are lighter and sheerer than screen printing, and the choice of fabrics is not limited. They can also be used on metal signs, vinyl, plastic, puzzle blanks, coffee mugs, mouse pads and other materials.

The large format printer does “tons of amazing things,” Oehme said, including making dicep stickers, fully printable heat-transfer vinyl, art reproductions on canvas, banners, wall and other types of graphics.

One of the first businesses to utilize the “Space” was Bilasáana (apple in Diné), a watchband and specialty item maker located at 401 W. Main St. in Farmington.

“They’ve got a lot of great equipment, owner Charles Lynch said. “I use the laser printer … the drill press, and barely even scratched the surface. Antoinette has made the place usable.”

The laser engraver and cutter, nicknamed “Felix” for the Epiligo Helix 50, the CO2 laser used can cut and engrave acrylic, wood, leather, glass, ceramic and fabric. Owners of Steep Your Tea and Doodle Downs gourmet dog treats utilized Felix to create tea labels, marketing supplies and a banner. Oehme said her dog is so obsessed with Doodle Downs products that “he doesn’t even want to eat dog food. That’s how good they are.”

Crazy Car Salsa is working with the “Space” to make their logo and product labels. Helping small businesses is Oehme’s foremost objective. “They’re the heart and soul of this town – that’s our lifeblood,” she said. “I see people going back to that small-business mentality more and more.”

The “big bay” area, which has a large overhead door, houses the woodworking, metal and jewelry making tools and equipment.

Ed Hircock, a retired shop teacher, used the woodworking tools to make an oak and walnut sled for his grandson. He used the band saw, table saw, drill press, stationary and wide-belt sanders.

“I love it,” he said. “It has some tools that I don’t have at home.”

Christy Ferrato, artist and senior director of San Juan College Advising Center, said she worked with Oehme to create the panels, laser printing, all the applications to produce one of her art pieces, “Locus Communis,” which will be on display through March at Henderson Fine Arts Center.

“Boss Hog,” a Haas mini-milling machine that was partially funded by Raytheon, can fabricate items from aluminum or other materials, but special training is required to use it. Oehme is seeking an instructor capable of providing that training.

The Nizhoni Sunrise sculpture of Shiprock, placed in front of the new student housing, was designed by Don Ellis and welded by Matt Lucero with digital files and laser cuts by Oehme.

Oehme’s students, ranging in from age 8 to 80, begin by learning how the machines work. Some have designed and made items such as dinosaur coins, Christmas ornaments and novelties.

“Tech is not going to go away, but when you tell kids they need to think about their future, they’re not doing that, they’re thinking about what they’re going to do this weekend,” Oehme said. She gives them a hands-on experience, making things they can be proud of and even turn into business ventures.

“I made it myself” could be the motto for mixing art with technology. “I prefer STEAM to STEM because they took the ‘A’ out of the acronym for art,” Oehme said. “You can’t take art out of the equation; it absolutely fits with technology.”

Some students have never been in touch with their creative side.

“They may say, ‘I’m not a maker,’ but,” Oehem said. “If you are a human, you are a maker. We all make in different ways. If you write, you draw, you paint, you code, you weld. We all have different things that drive our passions, our desires – of what makes us happy.”

Fused Deposition Modeling printers melt thermoplastic filaments and create shapes layer by layer. The types of plastic used in this process are usually made from plastic, powders, resins, metal, carbon fiber, graphite and graphene, nitinol and paper.

End use of product determines the ideal materials to choose. Oehme said polylactic acid filament is very forgiving and strong, which works great for toys. She used thermoplastic polyurethane to create a prosthetic bill for rescued duck that had been attacked by a raccoon. It is widely used in the automotive and other industries. The Space has used it for model car tires and a bumper for a drone.

Evidencing the rapid development in tech, Oehme built a printer from a $1,400 kit for the “Space” a few years ago, and it became obsolete within six months. It took 14 hours to create a small figurine with the old one, but now a similar model for $250 can do the job in less than two hours.

Oehme said some makerspaces are moneymakers. The Urban Workshop in Southern California has a vast selection of equipment and services, including guitar and surfboard making, auto body and bicycle repair, woodworking and blacksmithing. She visited the “absolutely massive” facility when she attended an International Symposium on Academic Makerspace conference. Oehme envisions the “Space” here in Farmington becoming more vital and widely used.

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The Big Idea is open Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fees are $15 per day or $60 per month for non-students, faculty and staff, who only pay for materials. To reserve time and equipment, call (505) 566-3112 or schedule online.

“We want small businesses to thrive and students to come here and learn and grow and put into practice what they’re learning in their books and classes,” Oehme said.

Oehme’s last day on the job is Feb. 15, but she plans to still frequent the “Space” she loves – where she’s devoted so much time.