What's Happening Around the 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.

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.

We had a lot of fun in our Mother’s Day Classes this week. We watched mom’s making things with their kids, kids making gifts for their mom, and mom’s taking themselves on a night out. These photos are from our Mother’s Day jewelry workshop yesterday. It was a fun week celebrating the moms in our life and honoring everything they have done for us. Happy Mother’s Day! 💐

We welcomed 17 participants from the Bend Parks & Recreation Therapeutic Group into the DIYcave woodshop for a special community build project — creating a Little Free Library completely from scratch.

The Therapeutic Group program supports adults with cognitive and physical disabilities through community outings, volunteer opportunities, social connection, and hands-on experiences around Bend. We were honored to get to be part of one of those experiences.

The woodshop was full of teamwork, measuring, sanding, drilling, painting, problem solving, and a whole lot of laughter. Some participants jumped right into tools they had never used before, while others teamed up together to help assemble and decorate different parts of the project.

And by the end of the day? What started as stacks of lumber had turned into a real lending library built by many hands working together.

One of the best parts of DIYcave is watching people realize they are capable of making things they never thought they could. This was full of those moments.

Jesica built this beautiful barn wood frame during our Picture Frame Class… and naturally filled it with one of her mosaics. Honestly, I think everything she touches eventually turns into a mosaic.

This class has quietly become one of our favorite beginner woodworking projects because it checks all the boxes:
• approachable for new woodworkers
• satisfying to build
• useful and beautiful when finished
• and just enough creativity to make every frame completely different

Students learn basic woodworking skills while building a rustic barn wood frame they can use to showcase artwork, photos, mosaics, keepsakes, or whatever meaningful thing deserves wall space in their life.

It’s the kind of project that leaves people walking out of the shop thinking:“Wait… I made that?” And that confidence boost is kind of the whole point.

Terry and Dana recently celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary in true DIYcave fashion, by making gifts for each other right here in the shop. Terry built a cherry wood keepsake box using dovetail joints for the first time (and now he’s officially a fan), and Dana created a layered fused‑glass replica of John Lennon’s original self portrait for her Beatles‑loving husband by painting and stacking glass before firing it into a stunning finished piece.

Their projects are a reminder of why we love this place: creativity, care, and the joy of making something meaningful with your own hands. And because both of them volunteer and work at the Cave, seeing them choose this space and their craft as part of their celebration feels extra special.

Four friends came into the shop to celebrate Shannon’s birthday (she’s second from the left), and honestly… we can’t think of a much better way to spend a birthday than making something beautiful with the people who make your life beautiful.

The group spent the evening learning how to turn handcrafted pens on the lathe, covered in wood shavings, laughing together, and creating something they’ll actually keep and use long after the birthday candles are gone.

One of the things we love most about DIYcave is that creativity becomes part of people’s memories here. Sometimes it’s someone learning a new skill for the first time. Sometimes it’s finally building a project they’ve dreamed about for years. And sometimes it’s simply friends gathering around a lathe to celebrate someone they love.

Every week our woodshop gets a little louder, a little busier, and honestly… a lot more fun when the Baker Web Academy students roll in.

This semester the students have been taking over the DIYcave woodshop to design and build their own Adirondack chairs completely from scratch — learning real woodworking skills along the way.

They’re measuring, cutting, sanding, drilling, assembling, fixing mistakes, solving problems, and slowly watching piles of lumber turn into actual furniture they built themselves.

Some woodworking projects are really about learning technique — and this is one of them. Our new Keepsake Box Joinery class focuses on the small details that make woodworking feel polished: tight-fitting corners, clean cuts, smooth assembly, and the kind of precision that turns a simple box into something worth keeping for years.

In this class, students will build a hardwood keepsake box while learning core woodworking skills and joinery techniques used in fine woodworking projects. You’ll work through measuring, cutting, fitting, assembly, and finishing while getting comfortable using woodworking tools in a real shop environment.

And yes — there’s something deeply satisfying about putting the lid on a box you built yourself and having it fit perfectly!

The City of Bend’s Wilson Avenue Corridor Project is entering its final phase, and construction will temporarily affect how visitors access DIYcave.

Beginning April 27th, Wilson Avenue will be fully closed between SE 9th Street and SE Centennial Street while railroad crossing improvements are completed. The closure is expected to last until July 2026

How to get to DIYcave? Detours will route traffic around the construction area using nearby streets including: Reed Market Road, 3rd Street, 15th Street and Centennial Street.

Bring Your Mom (or Your Kid)! Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be the same thing every year. Instead of reservations and flowers, this is a chance to do something a little more memorable — make something together, try something new, and walk away with something you actually created.

We’ve got a lineup of hands-on classes where you can make something real — whether that means bringing your mom, your kid, or just showing up and making a gift yourself. No experience needed. Just come ready to try something new.

At DIYcave, we talk a lot about making—but what really matters is why we make.

Scott, one of our awesome volunteers recently built a custom fruit stand for the St. Vincent de Paul community food pantry right here in Bend. The project came about in a pretty organic way—his son manages the pantry, and they had a real need for a better way to display and distribute fresh produce.

So he brought the idea into the Cave and got to work....

We’re excited to welcome Gwen, Michelle, and Seatonn as the new Open Lathe team at DIYcave!

Our spring and summer schedule now includes Open Lathe sessions on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, with a few bonus sessions sprinkled in along the way.

Open Lathe is a great way to stay connected to the shop—whether you’re practicing skills from a class, refining your technique, or just looking for a fun, creative way to spend a few hours. Each session is supervised by one of our experienced instructors, so you’ll have support while you work.

Come be part of the woodturning community—we’d love to see you in the shop.

The Urban Sketchers of Bend visited the shop and spent time drawing on location — capturing the Cave, the tools, the people, and the energy of the space, one sketch at a time. Urban Sketchers celebrate drawing from direct observation, telling the story of where we live, and supporting each other as a creative community.

If you’re curious about urban sketching or want to see more of what they do, check out @urbansketchersbend on Instagram.

It was inspiring to see the Cave through someone else’s eyes. Swipe to the end to see all the sketches 🎨

Big news in the woodshop — we’ve officially added a new router table, and it’s ready for you to use.

This isn’t just another tool on the floor. A router table opens up a whole new level of precision and possibility for woodworking projects — clean edges, repeatable cuts, joinery, profiles… the kind of details that take a project from “good” to “whoa, you made that?”

At DIYcave, we’re all about giving you access to tools that help you build better, faster, and with more confidence — and this is one of those tools.

On Sunday, April 12th: 3-5pm, The Central Oregon Woodworkers will be hosting their monthly meeting at the DIYcave this month.Come learn who they are, what they do, and how you can get involved. They’re a community of woodworkers, turners, and carvers who meet to share knowledge, ideas, and inspiration. Everyone is welcome — beginners, seasoned pros, or anyone simply curious about woodworking.   This month’s meeting includes a tour of the newest additions to the woodshop, featuring our upgraded router table and the brand‑new CNC router table. Plus, a show and tell of Steve's cedar strip kayak. 

Turn up the sparks and get hands-on in the auto bay with beginner-friendly automotive classes designed to build confidence and skills.​ Our new automotive repair classes will give you hands-on experience while working directly on your own vehicle, with guidance from an experienced mechanic in our shop. In these focused sessions, you’ll learn the proper workflow for diagnosing and completing repairs, along with essential shop practices like safe tool use and lift safety.

Looking for something different than dinner and drinks? What if you made the glasses instead? At DIYcave, date night gets a creative twist with our Date Night: Turn Wine Bottles Into Drinking Glasses class—where you and your favorite person spend the evening cutting, torching, and transforming bottles into custom glassware you’ll actually use at home.

Why This Is One of Our Favorite Date Nights -
This class isn’t just about making something—it’s about doing something together.
You’ll learn a new skill (without pressure)
You’ll laugh a little (or a lot)
… it’s more memorable than another night out.

Is your Teen curious about welding? Our Spring Break Welding Workshop is the perfect place to start. Designed specifically for teens, this hands-on class introduces the fundamentals of welding in a safe, supportive environment where students can learn real metalworking skills and create something awesome. In this class, students will get an introduction to MIG welding, one of the most common and versatile welding techniques used in metal fabrication.

Calling all aspiring Trash Fashion Designers! For the second year we are offering free Rubbish Renewed Design Workshops at DIYcave. It’s just a few months until the 2026 Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show and a great time to start designing. With this unseasonably warm weather, you're not skiing, so why not tap into your creativity! Where do you get your inspiration? We can’t wait to see what YOU create.

Shape and polish real stone into something beautiful with our new lapidary classes and hands-on studio instruction​. Learn the complete process of transforming stone into a smooth, finished cabochon. You’ll begin by selecting a slab (feel free to bring your own), then plan your design and trim it to shape on the saw. From there, you’ll move to the cabbing machine to grind, sand, and polish your piece to a glossy finish.

Curious about working on your own car but not sure where to start? Ever wanted access to a professional auto lift, the right tools, and a warm dry place to work on your vehicle? Join us for this hands-on Auto Bay Exploration Session and get a behind-the-scenes look at what DIYcave members can use to maintain and repair their own vehicles. Whether you’re interested in changing your own oil, learning basic car maintenance, or simply seeing what’s possible in the Auto Bay, this event is a great way to get comfortable with the space and equipment.

Lead Came Stained Glass Classes Are Open for Registration ✨

Curious about digital design, CNC tools, 3D printers, or what’s possible with computer-guided making? This is a great place to start. We’ll cover the basics of CNC — what it is, how it works, and why it opens up so many creative possibilities — then take a tour of our newly redesigned Tech Room and introduce you to the newest tools in the space.

We’re excited to share that our brand-new Lapidary Studio is officially open—and now available to everyone! If you’ve ever wanted to turn raw stone into beautiful cabochons for jewelry, art pieces, or personal collections, now is your chance. Simply schedule your lapidary training session, then come in and start shaping, grinding, and polishing your own stones.

Showcasing Central Oregon Custom Knifemakers with live forging demos, DIYcave knifemaking class information, and a stunning selection of handcrafted collectibles for sale.

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DIYCAVE FEATURED ON CNN! 🎥✨

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We're thrilled to announce we have implemented a new reservation / membership
management software to enhance your experience with us.

This new system will make it easier than ever for you to manage your membership, shop reservations, class registrations, and stay connected with us. As you browse around the site, here are some of the new features you will see:

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This month instead of a member event, we are gifting all members a free hour in ANY area of the shop!

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After a long hiatus and with our recent influx of new members we thought we'd welcome them with the return of our free monthly member events.

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Another successful year at the heart of Bend's Fall Festival showcasing local artists

There will also be live demonstrations and ineractive activities at the DIYcave booth including - Welding, Woodworking, Mosaic and Stained Glass, 3D Printing and Plastic Recycling. Plus we will have our Apple Cider Press out so you can take a turn and press and taste fresh apple juice.

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DIYcave proudly presents an immersive and educational kids' course designed to spark creativity and equip young minds with the tools of their generation. Designed for kids aged 12-17, the course will take students on an inspiring journey through the fascinating world of CNC machines, particularly lasers and 3D printers.

These state-of-the-art technologies are revolutionizing product manufacturing, offering unprecedented accessibility to everyday users. Students will gain hands-on experience with these machines, learning how to transform their imaginations into tangible creations.

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Recycled fashion, sewing machines for sale, the cave’s new industrial sewing machine and more!

From Air Force Metals Technologist to Master Craftsman: The Journey of Cascade Oak and
Iron

Member Scott Vincent completes his second woodworking project at the cave, a crib for his granddaughter! An inspiring story of how if you can Think It, the DIYcave is here to support you to Make it!

Check out the 360Sierra Camping Trailers which were developed and prototyped here at the DIYcave. Saturday, March 9th at 2pm in the patio area between DIYcave and Bevel.

We are OPEN today! The snow is piling up and the ice storm up on mountain is keeping us all in town. So come on in and make the best of it by MAKING something. See you at the shop!

We're creating more space for kids involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon to create and learn through hands-on, personalized experiences and see themselves as inventors, builders and creators.

iFixit is always looking for ways to improve their product line and offerings, and DIYcave has experienced makers who are glad to test and give feedback on new tools and improvements to old tools.

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Over the weekend, many artists, makers, and tinkerers from around Central Oregon descended upon Deschutes Brewery for the Central Oregon Maker Faire, an annual celebration of all things DIY.

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Want to see your technical wiz grow and shine through FIRST® LEGO® League this Fall?  Join the DIYcave Robotics team. 

Our NEW Women’s only intro to welding class introduces students to MIG (GMAW / Wire Feed) welding, a widely used and versatile process that is perfect for beginners.

Our new Woodworking Basics classes will give you an in-depth overview and hands on experience of the most commonly used tools.

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We have added additional benefits for our DIYcave Members and changed our Class Cancellation Policy to be more flexible for everyone.

DIYcave Partners with Habitat for Humanity to offer Homeowner 101 classes

KPOV, 88.9 fm, as the producer of the audio piece.

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Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity receives $10,000 grant – KTVZ.com

New Hours on Sunday!

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New Website is LIVE!

Need a space to finish a jewelry project, or maybe start one? Our NEW Jewelry Studio is now available for rent. To celebrate the launch, students who attend a jewelry class in the month of August can enter into a special drawing to win a free trial session in this fabulous space. Winners will be announced Aug 30.

NEED A LIFT? The AUTO LIFT at DIYcave has a 10,000-pound capacity!

Use your DIYcave Membership to get access to the Auto Bay, Auto Lift and a large assortment of auto repair tools.

A local troop of elementary schoolers from Lava Ridge threw a bracelet making class at the Cave. The troop is always looking for something outside of their routine to learn and found that at the DIYcave. Read more about their experience.

Local stained glass artist Teri Shamlian came in to work on making some custom stained glass vertical frames after taking the “Yard Art Welding Project” class the other day. She cut all the pieces, curled the steel into shapes, welded them together and ground them smooth.

1959 Craftsman Wood Lathe No. 103.23881
We knew we wanted a wood lathe for the DIYcave, but none of us had researched them enough to know exactly what we wanted. That’s when I came across this one, basically in a box.

We had a great time Friday night here at DIYcave! With a full class load we took wine bottles and changed them into drinking glasses and vases.

We broke a lot of glass, and had a lot of laughs, but in the end everyone got to take some things home. Thanks to all who attended, we’ll see you at the next class!

You’d think custom tap handles would be a project that comes through the Cave often, but this was the first time we had the opportunity to partner with a local brewery on such a project! Owner, Dave Danek and Worthy Brewing worked to create a unique tap handle for a beer they produced for Brasada Ranch
Learn more about the project tools used, and roadblocks Dave worked through to get the job done.

It was an amazing experience to watch a brewery and new business being built day-by-day at 9th Street Village. Val and Nate Doss talk about the communal tables they built for Bevel Brewing on-site at the Cave along with learning the Glowforge for table plaques. If you haven’t stopped into Bevel Brewing, make sure you come to see the astonishing community built at The Patio.

While working through design ideas for the patio at 9th Street Village, DIYcave co-owners Dave and Tim decided that 9SV needed a fire table. Once they started designing, it was clear that this table would be a great entry for the fire pit competition at the 2019 Oregon WinterFest. Special thanks to Dave for answering questions about the project.

Meet Michael van Vliet and Megan McDuffie of Fresh Off The Grid , a food blog for campers that shows people how to enjoy great food in the great outdoors. They spent four months at the Cave converting a van into a mobile living/workspace to take on the road. Read about their project and learn about how they prepped, found inspiration and got help on their project at DIYcave.

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Metal Forge is one of our new classes added this summer. Students can expect to learn how to manipulate metal into a variety of items. Like a sculptor with molding clay, the forge allows the maker to mold and shape hot metal into the forms they need. The list of things you can make at a forge is way too long to list! The Metal Forge classes at the DIYCave will provide you with the fundamentals you need to start smithing!

We had a great night exploring some aspects of building an electric guitar. Concepts were being worked out and planning has begun. We tried out a few of the tools and skills needed and talked about some of the methods used in construction. T

Just like any home or workplace, there is always something on the “honey list” to do. Kudos to John Sweet for marking “medicine cabinet” off the list with his creative take. Learn about the project and John’s experience at DIYcave.

We decided to surprise Dave when he came back from taking his son off to college with a new baby … Cabinet Grade SawStop! This saw stop is pretty smart and can detect metal and flesh allowing the machinery to stop. If you’re interested in using this new piece of equipment, inquire about the certifications required with the steward on duty.

In July, Teri Shamlian taught a mosaic stepping stone class, and one of the students shot a time lapse video of her project. The video was captured over the course of the three-hour class and showcases from start to finish what students will learn during the glass classes taught by Teri. The stepping stone was the final touch to the student’s backyard pond.

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We talked with Teri Shamlian, teacher of our popular fused glass and mosaics classes about how she started working with glass and her experience at DIYcave.

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Member, Anna Seltzer, has been working on a Tiny House since November at the DIYcave, and the transformation has been fun to watch. We decided to do a Q&A with Anna about her experience on the build and using the tools available at DIYcave.

Major innovations are happening in the manufacturing world with the new technology of Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing. In collaboration with Tech-30, Solidscape, B9 Creations — Dawson Distributions is presenting a live display of technology and information at DIYCave using the B9Creator® 3D Printer.

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We have a Welding Workshop at DIYcave, tailored just for kids. In this “hands-on” class you’ll cut steel with a torch and weld those pieces back together. Parent or guardian is required to be on the premises during the entire class and is welcome sign up for the class as well.

This past week we have have been finishing up (no shop is ever really finished) our auto shop. The new 10,000 lb. lift has been installed and waiting for the last parts to be sent from the manufacturer. We’ve seen a head gasket replacement get started on a rabbit.

The first batch of DIYcave T-shirts is in, hand made (did you expect anything different?)

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We are rapidly approaching the reality of the DIYcave being in an actual building!