First Projects Coming Out of the Lapidary Shop
There’s something really satisfying about watching a rough, dusty rock slowly transform into something smooth, polished, and beautiful — especially when it’s your first time doing it yourself. Over the past few weeks, students in our Lapidary classes at DIYcave have been learning the full process of shaping and polishing stones using professional lapidary equipment. Starting with rough material, students learn how to cut, grind, shape, sand, and polish stones into finished cabochons and polished pieces ready for jewelry, collections, or display.
Come Learn to Make a Fused Glass Optical Illusion Dish
Glass can do some pretty incredible things in the kiln—and our NEW Fused Glass Optical Illusion Dish Class is designed to show you exactly that. In this class, students will explore how pattern placement and color interaction create eye-catching optical illusion effects once the glass is fused and slumped into its final dish shape. This beginner-friendly workshop combines color, pattern, and heat to create a dish that appears to shift and move depending on the angle you view it from. The result is a functional piece of art that feels a little bit science experiment, a little bit magic, and completely unique to you.
Our Mother’s Day Classes Were So Much FUN!
We had a lot of fun in our Mother’s Day classes. We watched moms making things with their kids, kids making gifts for their moms, and moms taking themselves out for a creative night in the shop. One of the things we love most about classes like these is how much the projects become part of the memory itself. There was a lot of laughing, storytelling, helping each other, and proud “look what I made!” moments happening around the tables all week long. It was also a good reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful — sometimes the best part is simply making something together.
Upcoming Classes
Watch Our Story On CNN
DIYCAVE FEATURED ON CNN! 🎥✨
We’re proud to share that DIYcave was featured in a CNN segment showcasing the heart of our makerspace — our people, our shop areas, and the creative energy that powers it all.
WATCH THE CNN SEGMENT To see why DIYcave is more than just a shop — it’s a hub for making, learning, and community.
Huge thanks to everyone who helps make this space so special — this spotlight is for YOU! 💙
DIYcave is a community of people just like you.
We are a community makerspace in Bend, Oregon made up of artists, makers, hackers, entrepreneurs, educators, and craft enthusiasts with various interests and skills. At DIYcave Makerspace, we provide the space, tools, equipment, and supportive community you need to create, build, collaborate, and learn new skills. You bring the ideas and materials—we’ll help you make it happen. All the skills needed to operate any of the equipment at DIYcave can be acquired through one of our many hands-on classes, workshops, tool certifications, or private lessons.
Most of our makerspace tools are available to use as soon as your membership begins. However, certain equipment—such as the table saw, CNC router table, woodworking lathe, laser cutters, MIG/TIG welders, and other fabrication tools—requires prior tool certification. Please request certification before coming in to use specialized tools.
Our communal shop supports a wide range of DIY projects and offers access to tools and resources for:
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Woodworking and Wood Lathe Turning
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Welding and Metal Working
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Blacksmithing
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3D printing
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Laser Cutting
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CNC Routing and Plasma Cutting
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Stained Glass and Fused Glass
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Jewelry Making and Metalsmithing
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Leather Working
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Sewing
Whether you're a beginner or experienced maker, DIYcave is your gateway to creative projects, skill-building, and hands-on learning in a vibrant, collaborative environment.
