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Seaman and his shop play an important function in the lives of many people in and around Oviedo. For someone such as Patti Landis, who recently moved from Ohio and is at the gallery on almost a daily basis, it is much more than a place to observe original art. "I had to get here and see what in the world was going on when I passed by this pink building," Landis said. "Being new down here, it's kind of hard to get in a clique and meet new people. After I started [coming to the studio], it's hard to get away.

The first personals were Missed Connections, London, 1727-48 ads hovered on the edge of respectability because they were public, and could be seen by all and sundry.

The first personals were Missed Connections, London, 1727-48 ads hovered on the edge of respectability because they were public, and could be seen by all and sundry.

innovation is not to be collected or consumed – it's to be explored. These are the types whose first instinct after using new technology is to take it apart, driven by a compulsion and motivated by sincere curiosity to find out: How. Does. It. Work. These are the makers. And they're assembling their latest toys and technologies to showcase at Orlando's first-ever Mini Maker Faire.

With tools like a laser cutter, 3-D printers, soldering stations, and a large woodworking shop, one of its members described it as a YMCA for geeks.

WASHINGTON, DC- JUNE 28 Portrait of playwright Brian Feldman at Fringe in Washington, D.C. on June 28, 2012. Brian Feldman, a performance artist that includes his audience in "It could change your life. Perhaps the most conceptual offering in Capital Fringe history, BFF explores friendship through two hour "friend building" excursions. Only 50 people can attend these one-on-one experiences, hanging out with one of DC's top performance artists. (Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

The Hack Factory is what's known as a "maker space." Operated by Twin Cities (TC) Maker, the Hack Factory is a community-shared workspace that offers a cornucopia of tools and machinery for members like Harrison to take their do-it-yourself urges to the extreme.

TC Maker is one of two such operations in the metro area. The Mill, in northeast Minneapolis, opened early this year.

an opportunity for members of the Orlando community to connect with one another through personal stories, conversation, and open dialogue.

Darren McDaniel, founding director of Urban ReThink, came up with the idea to bring the Human Library to Orlando after coming across the organization on the web.

"The timing just seemed right with ArtsFest coming up, so I asked Tisse to put it together," McDaniel said.