Woodshop Coordinator Jeffery Teal coordinated the quick stop on what has been a month-long series of visits with makers in New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and of course, Western Carolina. Rogers was one of several highlights for the couple who stopped by Brasstown to visit with him and to learn more about the Folk School.
“It has never been more important to support makers than it is now. In a culture cuffed to mass manufacture, we risk losing the skills and magic that independent makers bring to the world,” said Kate Lennie in explaining the impetus behind the mission of We are Makers.
The pair met in university, with the business model evolving over the past five years to include a quarterly magazine, a podcast and Substack, in addition to a robust social media presence. They have traveled around the world to meet makers and amplify the stories of hand crafts to a growing global audience.
Jack Lennie said they are impressed with their first look at the Folk School through Rogers eyes and are eager to make plans for a return visit.
“It’s the scope and scale of what’s going on here,” he said. “The authenticity of the place, it’s amazing.”
The couple has a credible perspective, having met and interviewed more than 600 makers in 17 states and 42 countries.
“We get invited to a lot of places,” he added.  

Observations shared included the residential aspect of the Folk School experience.  

“Very few have onsite accommodations,” Jack Lennie said. “Very few offer the community beyond the classroom. That’s been interesting to see.” 

He also shared that the Folk School demographic skews older than what they typically encounter.  

Kate and Jack of “We Are Makers” 

“We Are Makers” Podcast with Tyler Rogers

Tyler Rogers

Kate Lennie said the We are Maker platform attracts a younger demographic, ages 25-35. However, the makers they interview ranged from 14-83, all making a living in craft.
To be featured in the magazine, a maker must be engaged as a full-time craftsperson.  

Until recently the pair did many interviews remotely, but they have a goal to shift to 100% in person interviews by next February. This means more travel, but they are committed to the model they have built. Acquiring a 5-year media visa will make that easier to travel to the United States, Jack Lennie said.  

The magazine, a 124-page coffee table book, is hard to keep in stock, he said.  

“Somethings happening in the ether and I’m happy about it. People are daft about it.  

Kate Lennie explained establishing the high quality of the print publication was key, to set the tone of excellence from the start. Editorial decisions are all organic, there is no pay to play, per se. The craft community is rich with content, and the stories are endless, they added.  

They are maintaining 100% creative control.   

Another feature of the magazine is the ad placements, with ads in the beginning and end of the publication so as not to distract from the storytelling.  

“It’s a really nice way to make a living,” Kate Lennie said.  In how they collect stories, the couple travel and are hosted by families of makers, fully engaging in the lifestyle.
“The magazine isn’t just paper and pages. We are connecting on a human level.”  

The two-person team makes up the whole enterprise for now.
“We want to go and experience these people; understand the real nuances,” Kate said.  

In addition to the We are Maker print and digital offerings, there are a few documentary projects available on the We are Makers YouTube channel. We are Makers also give back to the craft community in the form of grants, based on growing the platform.  

To experience what the We are Makers principals saw in Tyler, register for Make a Democratic Chair, a woodworking offering by Tyler Rogers, is set for July 11-19, a class open to all skill levels. 

“We Are Makers” Magazine