I'm a Maker Because...
Miniviews series - No. 14 with Minni
You’ve landed on the fourteenth installment of the Maker Miniviews (mini, two question interviews) series. Learn more about these maker interviews and view a list of all Miniviews.
Minni is the maker behind The Minimalist Maker and is producing very aesthetically clean woodworking and DIY videos from her shop in Finland.
Check out this interview with Minni of The Minimalist Maker, from Finland.
What inspires you to keep making things?
"I’ve always loved making things: drawing, sewing and more recently designing and building furniture. If I don’t have any projects for a while I start itching to make something. I often get inspired by materials, they sometimes have certain characteristics that can inspire the idea for whatever I’m designing. For example, I made a simple stool from 1x4’s with an end grain seat. Cheap pine often has very unattractive and strong grain pattern, but for the same reason the end grain looks interesting and even beautiful.
I designed this stool so that it highlighted the best aspects of the material. I also get inspired by simple geometric shapes and clean lines. Again and again, I find that keeping things simple is always the best way to go."
What one piece of advice would you give to other, budding makers?
"My first piece of advice would be to just keep making and make things that you are excited and interested about. Try to find your own style.
Secondly, don’t try to fit all your best ideas into one project, it defeats the purpose very quickly. I see this a lot with new designers/makers. One good idea per piece is usually best. Then you can keep everything else clean to highlight that one good idea, whether it be a detail, or a shape or some other innovation. And then you can leave other great ideas for future projects.
My third piece of advice would be to not compare yourself to other makers with fancy tools or workshops. Try to make things with what you have and make it work. If you can’t afford to buy something, borrow. I for example don’t even have my own workshop and use my parent’s garage because it’s not possible for me to get my own space yet. It does make things more difficult, but I’m trying to make it work until I can find my own workshop. I’m not letting it stop me, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t have everything ready and perfect when you start. Keep finding ways to make things anyway!"
Beyond the project videos, Minni is selling project plans alongside these tutorials. Minni produces this content from Finland.
"...just keep making and make things that you are excited and interested about." — Minni, The Minimalist Maker
Check out the The Minimalist Maker website, YouTube channel, and Instagram.
Thank you all for reading this article, now get out there and make things!
