The Dremel Brand Puts Newly Annointed "Chief Makers" In The Driver's Seat

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill., Oct. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dremel® brand proudly announces the five winners of its inaugural Maker in Residence contest, wrapping up a nationwide search for the inspiration and education sources that propel today's Makers forward.

These five "Chief Makers" (a title unique to this first cycle of Maker in Residence winners) will work as advocates for the flourishing movement, lending their expertise to build users' confidence levels. Winners will collaborate directly with the Dremel brand for the next six months, instructing new projects via social media and assisting with ongoing product development. Chief Makers will also play a role in Maker Spaces that focus on training younger makers.

"Because making is a never-ending learning experience, education is at the core of all of our "Maker Relations" said Tim Turbett, director of brand marketing for Dremel. "Our Maker in Residence program represents an evolving relationship with our user base; it's about we as a brand handing over the keys and empowering accomplished artists to share their knowledge. We're thrilled to work with such a diverse group and are confident they will provide fresh perspective that inspires new project possibilities."

The program is one of many ways the Dremel brand is pioneering a more personal relationship with its user base. The brand's presence at events like SXSW Create, Bay Area Maker Faire and World Maker Faire are rooted in celebrating the shared ingenuity that fuels all of us to make more. That collaboration is amplified by educational pursuits with schools and libraries.

The Maker in Residence program is a first for the brand, bringing esteemed Makers on the inside to elevate the people and projects behind the products. More than 200 aspiring Makers entered the contest. The following 2015-2016 Chief Makers were selected based on their demonstrated passion, expertise and advocacy:

• Haley Yurkow | New Albany, Mississippi
  • Haley is the artisan behind Mississippi Mojo, which creates custom hand-etched glass objects. She has worked on a variety of glass objects, from casserole dishes and barware to picture frames and antique windows. Haley is also very active in her community as an advocate and leader for various art programs and festivals.
• Celina Muire | Austin, Texas
  • Celina is a woodworker and pyrographer, producing designs on wood, leather or other materials by using heated tools or a fine flame. She makes utility goods like spoons, cutting boards, knifes and muddlers, as well as art pieces that include headboards and wall hangings. Celina also does a lot of commissions with individuals and local businesses, and is a big advocate for the Maker movement in Austin.
• Keith Hahn | Buffalo, Wyoming
  • Keith creates furnishings and art using iron and wood, and specializes in high-end custom log furniture and decorative ironwork, with a focus on fine finishes. He lives in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, which never fail to give him inspiration. As a result, a lot of Keith's work is modeled after colors and textures found in nature.
• Sean Harrington | Woodland Hills, California
  • Sean creates puppets and theatrical props (large and small), and rewires old analog devices for digital interaction. Sean is driven by the desire to improve how humans interact with the tools and machines in their daily lives. He also likes using technology and engineering to make someone's job easier, ideally giving them more leisure time to create things of their own.
• Shaun Crockett | Roeland Park, Kansas
  • Shaun started making as a young boy building everything from birdhouses to ninja weapons. Now he continues with more grown-up things like home remodeling, but still takes time to indulge in more unique projects like knife making or engine building. Shaun's work is inspired by technology and his desire to bridge the digital and physical worlds. He also has a unique vantage point as he combines the processes of art and engineering into his works.

As part of the prize fulfillment, each winner is awarded a full suite of Dremel tools valued at $5,000 that includes the Dremel 3D Idea Builder™ (3D printer) and Sprout by HP, an intuitive 3D scanning experience. Chief Makers will capture these tools in action through a series of timely projects that both educate and inspire veteran and aspiring Makers alike.

To learn more, please visit Dremel on Facebook.

About Dremel
Since inventing the high-speed rotary tool in 1934, the Dremel brand has been helping makers with its full line of versatile tool systems that deliver the perfect solution for almost any job. From our Dremel rotary tools, Multi-Max™ oscillating tools, Ultra-Saw™ and Saw-Max™ multi-saws, Fortiflex™ flex shaft tool or the Idea Builder™ 3D printer, makers have come to know and trust the brand to complete their projects. Combining compact size, ergonomic design, precision and versatility, with a wide range of highly engineered accessories, Dremel tools can be used to accomplish numerous applications on a variety of materials.

Today, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation in Mount Prospect, Illinois, Dremel celebrates 82 years in business and maintains its commitment to innovation and quality. Regardless of what the task may be, the Dremel brand is dedicated to empowering Makers through creativity, precision and project enjoyment.

Editor's Note: Dremel^® is a registered brand name and is used as an adjective to describe the products made by the Dremel brand.

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SOURCE Dremel