The energy of Maker Faire Bay Area creates a palpable buzz steaming from creative minds sharing their passions. This year, one of the presentations came from Kayte Sabicer—a professional model maker and fabricator whose hands have helped shape the tangible worlds of films like Inception, The Dark Knight Rises, The Mandalorian, and Phil Tippett’s Mad God.
For those who follow Adam Savage’s Tested, Kayte is also a familiar face. But hearing her speak in person was an important reminder that making is far more than a technical pursuit; it is a mindset, a form of problem-solving, and a pathway to joy. Her core message is: making is a powerful way to overcome creative blocks, embrace experimentation, and find deep satisfaction in the process itself.
From Block to Breakthrough: The Maker’s Mindset
Kayte spoke about the universal struggles of creation. The blank page (or the blank block of foam) can be paralyzing. Her solution? Start. Move your hands. Engage with a material, any material. This approach to “making through the block” transforms the process of creation into a dynamic journey rather than a final destination. This approach prioritizes momentum over perfection.
A Cover Story of Make:
While Kayte’s talk focused on philosophy and process, her incredible skill is perfectly captured in an epic project that graced the cover of Make: magazine Volume 94. Kayte embarked on a nine-month odyssey to build a detailed, half-scale working replica of the iconic Blade Runner blimp garage kit purchased by Adam Savage years prior. She shaped the massive body, populated it with hundreds of meticulously crafted tiny parts, and engineered complex, functional electronics—integrating lights and scrolling screens to bring the sci-fi prop to life.
The Takeaway: Joy in the Journey
Kayte reminds us that the magic is not just in the screen-ready prop or the finished artifact. The real magic—the sustaining, joyful force—is in the daily act of making: the feel of the tool in your hand and the satisfaction of a problem solved.
Watch the full video here.
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