Kitty Black Perkins Maker Lab - Make it happen!
Welcome to the Kitty Black Perkins Maker Lab, Spartanburg County Public Libraries' main hub of making and creativity. Originally known as Spark Space, the Maker Lab is now entering its next stage, expanding to a new space and adding on new technology and services.
The Maker Lab is available for use for any person over the age of 12 years old with a completed liability wavier and maker agreement.
Due to liability, we cannot accept anyone under the age of 12 to use or accompany someone using the space.
Kitty Black Perkins graduated from Carver High School in 1967 and enrolled at Los Angeles Trade Tech College where she received many awards for her fashion design work. In 1976, she joined Mattel and quickly rose to prominence as the Chief Designer of Fashions and Doll Concepts for Barbie. During her time at Mattel, she received the Chairman’s Award twice, which is the highest recognition for Mattel employees. Kitty’s visionary designs helped transform Barbie into a more diverse brand, introducing dolls with varying skin tones, hair textures, and facial features. Her work has had a profound impact on the toy industry and has inspired generations. Donor directed contributions recognize Kitty’s achievements and legacy while inspiring future creators.
One-on-One trainings
The Kitty Black Perkins Maker Lab is primarily a teaching space, and as such, we offer one-on-one equipment and software trainings every day. We also offer one-on-one lessons for certain crafts, such as knitting, crochet, RPG miniature painting, hand embroidery, and more. Materials and supplies are often provided for the first training session, but after the initial training, responsibility for providing or paying for supplies falls on the patron. One-on-one trainings are available by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call the Maker Lab.
Project-based Classes
The Kitty Black Perkins Maker Lab also offers classes or programs for interested patrons. These classes are pre-planned at a set date and time, have limited space and often require sign-ups prior to attending. Classes are offered in a wide range of topics and specialties, such as Basic Sewing, Cricut 101, Painting, Chainmail for Beginners, and more. These classes are project based and all supplies to complete the project are provide by the Maker Lab. Classes usually last 2 hours.
Take and Make Kits
Take and Make kits (sometimes called Make-Away kits) where the supplies are collected and bagged by our staff for patrons to take with them to create at home. Kits are planned every few months throughout the year and are available as supplies last.
Open Hours for Creation
For those who are familiar with the software or equipment, or have already attended one-on-one trainings with us on a specific machine, the Maker Lab is available for use. We strongly recommend making an appointment to use a specific machine or software, even if previously trained, since equipment is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Patrons utilizing the space are encouraged to bring their own supplies, with some limited materials available for purchase in the Maker Lab. Some equipment, such as the embroidery machine, 3D printers and sublimation printer, require proprietary supplies which are included along with use of the machine for a flat fee. See our pricelist below for more information regarding materials available for purchase and machines with flat supplies costs.
-
Cricut Maker 3 (2 available) with Cricut Premium Access
- Cricut Express Air, Cricut Joy, Cricut Weeding Lightboard and Silhouette Cameo available upon request
- Juki Serger
- Brother Embroidery Machine with full Embrillance Software
- X-Tool Laser Cutter & Engraver with X-Tool Creative Space
-
X-Tool P2S can accommodate a variety of materials* and has a bed size of approximately 26 inches long by 14 inches deep.
The X-Tool can work with materials of varying height for engraving, and of a maximum thickness of 0.75 inches for acrylic and 0.70 inches for wood.
X-Tool can also accommodate certain curved materials.
*Not all material that can be accommodated by the X-Tool are permitted to be used in the Spark Space. - Brother Sewing Machines (4 available)
- 3D printers and Resin 3D printer
- 3D printers are available for patrons to request prints. Patrons are able to request prints with multiple pieces or single prints with a total print time of less than 12 hours. Print completion time can vary dependent on popularity, machine complications, staffing and operation hours
- Find free files for 3D print at Thingiverse.com, learn to make your own files for print on Tinkercad.com (neither Thingiverse nor Tinkercad are affiliated with the Spartanburg County Public libraries, nor is the content within. The library will not print weapons, dangerous materials or explicit/inappropriate materials.
- Patrons over 12 can receive two free buttons monthly as supplies last. Buttons sizes available are 2.25inch or 1inch.
-
Cricut Heat Press
Cricut Mini Heat Press
Cricut Mug Press
15x15 Clamshell Heat Press - Heat-gun, Irons and fabric steamer available upon request
- Digital Conversion Equipment and Software
- Patrons can convert VHS, cassettes, 8 MM tapes, vinyl records, photo slides, photo negatives, and photo prints.
- Sublimation Printer
- Printer can accommodate a maximum page size of 8x14
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Includes Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat DC, Animate, After Effects, Audition, InDesign, and Premiere Pro
- Canva (web-based design software) with Premium Access
-
Bulk/Poster Laminator
Document Laminator - LightBox with accessories
- Ring Light
- Podcasting Equipment including Snowball Microphones with Pop Filters & Headphones
- Big Shot Plus (Shape Cutting and Embossing Machine)
- AccuQuilt with various dies (2 available)
- Silhouette Machine
- ProSpangle Machine
All materials are available as supplies last. We cannot guarantee a material type, color, or product at any time.
- 3D printing:
- $1.50/hour for PLA printers (includes Prusa XL, Prusa MK4, and Makerbot)
- $2.00/hour for Resin printer
- Analog to Digital Conversations:
- No charge if materials are provided by patron
- Flash Drive: $10.00/each
- Blank CDs/DVDs: $2.00/each
- Laminating:
- Bulk/Poster Laminator: $0.75 per linear foot
- Document laminator: $1.00 per 8.5x11-inch sheet, $0.50 for 4x6-inch sheet
- Crafting:
- Cardstock: $0.25/per sheet for Solid, $0.25/per sheet for Patterned
- Sticker Paper: $0.25/per sheet
- Button Machines
- No charge is materials are provided by patron
- Buttons: $0.10 for 1-inch buttons, $0.15 for 2.25-inch buttons, $0.25 for 2.25-inch magnetic button, $0.25 for 1-inch keychain button
- Laser Cutter & Engraver:
- No charge if material is provided by patron
- Wood and Acrylic: $0.50 per inch on the longest side
- Whole Sheet of Wood/Acrylic (12x20): $6.00
- Whole Sheet of Wood/Acrylic (12x12): $3.00
- Natural Wood Rounds: $0.50/each for small, $0.75/each for large
- Miniature Wooden Box: $1.50/each
- Wooden Coasters: $1.00/each or $3.50 for 4
- Slate Coasters: $1.50/each or 4 for $5.00
- Sewing & Embroidery
- No charge for sewing machines (Patrons should provide their own thread outside of classes)
- Embroidery: $1.00 for stabilizer, adhesive spray, bobbin thread, and first 1,000 stitches, $0.25 per each additional 1,000 stitches
- Serger- $1.00 per 15 minutes of active serging time (thread included)
- Sublimation:
- $3.00 per full 8.5x11-inch sheet of sublimation paper. Sublimation can only be sold in full sheets. (cost includes use of printer, sublimation ink, sublimation paper, and heat safe tape)
- If patron provides their own sublimation paper, total cost to print on 8.5x11-inch sheet is $2.00/sheet
- Sublimation Blanks: Cost may vary based upon materials available for sale at any given time. Please see staff or call Spark Space for more information about availability and cost.
- Sublimation mugs- $5.00/each (includes sublimation paper and ink cost)
- Sublimation magnets- $0.50/each (does NOT include sublimation paper or ink)
- Sublimation Keychains- $0.50 each (does NOT include sublimation paper or ink)
- Cricut Material:
- No charge is material is provided by patron
- $0.25 per 1x12-inch rectangle. Material must be sold in increments of heightx12-inches.
- Full roles of material are available for purchase at cost as supplies last.
- Comb Binding Machines:
- No charge if materials are provided by patron
- $1.00 per binding comb (cover included)
Sometimes called the “Library of Things”, this collection is full of reusable items available for patrons to check out to use, learn, and make at home! This collection is evolving and includes items like a cake pans, rainbow looms, spirographs, crochet kits, woodworking tools, SC park passes, STEM toys and games, and more. Kits can be requested, checked out, and returned at any Spartanburg library location, including the Bookmobile. Kits are subject to availability. If you would like to request an item to be added to this collection, please contact the Maker Lab. Items that are suggested will be considered, but are not guaranteed to be added to this collection.
Interested in touring the Kitty Black Perkins Maker Lab? Please contact (864) 216-7554 for more information.
Creativebug
Creativebug is a database for anyone looking to learn a craft or stretch their creative muscles! Get unlimited FREE access to thousands of online art and craft classes by signing up with your Spartanburg County Public Library Card! Classes and projects are updated seasonally. Watch Creativebug anytime, anywhere. Classes never expire, so you can start and stop projects at your own pace! No pressure, just possibilities!
Access the SCPL Creativebug log-in to sign-in or create your own account.
Visit Creativebug
Craft, DIY and Maker Events @ your Libraries
These maker events are held at various library locations. Please check the description of each event for location, age requirements, sign-ups, and other event specific information.