Meet Our Instructors

Angie learned the art of stained glass more than 20 years ago and has easily fallen instep with the DIY Cave's "Think It, Make It" motto.

Are you interested in taking Sheet Metal Art classes? Get to know instructor Ben Schade and why he loves the DIYcave.

Damien is a custom metal artist and freelance welder. Intrigued with custom design and rewarded with the fulfillment of fabrication, Damien’s love for functional art grew over time (and practice).

When Donna discovered Metal Clay, a moldable metal, she found she really enjoyed the ability to get rich textures and patterns and the freedom of expression from this wonderful medium.

Metal clay is fired in a kiln where the binder is burnt away and when finished you are left with only the silver. In her jewelry she uses fine silver and sterling silver. To add color to her jewelry she uses natural and faceted gemstones in a variety of earth tone colors.

I love to help and empower others to create art in any format. If you’re in the area swing by the studio here at DIYcave to see what we are up to, take a class, or snag some materials for yourself to make stained or fused glass art!

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Jim is multi talented and teaches many of our popular welding workshops and woodshop classes.

Kaitlyn has been sewing for over 30 years—learning from her mom and breaking the sewing machine many times along the way. Sewing most of her own clothing, Kaitlyn has made waxed cotton jackets, many pairs of pants, & her own gear, like climbing chalk buckets from repurposed rice bags. She loves to support fellow makers in sewing whatever they dream up!

Mak started working with leather in 2020. Over the years she fell in love with the art of tooling leather and she hasn’t put down her swivel knife since! She looks forward to sharing her knowledge and meeting new people!

Meet Quentin, who’s full of entrepreneurial ideas when he’s helping at the Cave. He aspires to one day open a makerspace himself too.

Ann likes to share her passion for fire and art in her sculpture and metal work!

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Emily started making jewelry in 2020 when she took the very classes she now teaches at the DIYcave. She fell in love with silversmithing and has been creating custom pieces ever since. Emily is a Central Oregon native and loves the outdoors and spending time with her two pups.

Holland is a Senior in High School who has been making jewelry for over five years alongside other artistic endeavors. You can find her in the Jewelry Studio!

Jesica is a multidisciplinary artist and instructor whose lifelong creative journey began at an early age, with an enduring passion for exploration across countless media. As a full-time artist, her current work includes mosaic, fused glass, metalwork, and computer-aided design, all shaped by her love of experimentation and willingness to embrace both left- and right-brained processes. As a dedicated teacher, she is committed to helping others tap into their own creativity, believing strongly in the accessibility and empowering nature of glass art.

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Christy grew up repairing and restoring instruments with her dad in his stringed instrument business, which sparked what has turned into a lifelong passion for woodworking, repair, and learning new skills. Several years down the road, fueled by these passions, she started her own business, Handymandy, which offers “major help for minor jobs”. More info about Christy and her business can be found on her website.

Dennis spent his career inspiring young makers as a high school woodshop teacher. In retirement, he’s carried that same love for teaching and craftsmanship into the woodworking community at DIYcave. With Mo—his loyal shop dog and supervisory sidekick—by his side, Dennis continues building creativity, confidence, and hands-on skills in every class.

Gwen started as a student in Seatonn's Intro to Wood Lathe class and fell in love with woodturning - she now teaches lathe classes at the cave.

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Artist through & through, Jesse discovered an affinity for metalwork while earning his Fine Arts degree at UC Santa Cruz. Known for his abstract work in sculpture and public art collaborations, he also teaches multi-process welding and machining techniques to beginning and advanced students.

John is a kiln-formed glass artist whose personal work specializes in creating custom fused glass pieces inspired by kids’ drawings. His classes blend playful experimentation with clear, hands-on instruction in foundational fusing techniques. He loves celebrating the imperfect, imaginative spark that happens when ideas meet molten color.

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