WNED PBS celebrated the premiere of Buffalo Toronto Public Media’s new local program, “Now We’re Creating LIVE!” on Saturday, September 16.  Five talented artisans demonstrated their craft and sparked imagination during this inspiring event designed to bring out the DIYer in all of us! 

Lauren Pantos (Happy Little Paintings), Emma Brittain-Hardy and Erik Walter (The Foundry) and Lynn and Jerry Urban (LuLu Creations) shared techniques, tips and talked about the tools used to create a variety of home projects – from 3D printing to painting, laser engraving to woodworking, stained glass-making and more. You’ll find step-by-step instructions on their projects under each artists’ biographies below. 

Co-hosted by BTPM’s own Nancy Hammond and Dallas Taylor, the program aired live on WNED PBS and the WNED PBS mobile app, and streamed to our YouTube channel. Check out Episode 1 now!

Now We’re Creating LIVE! is made possible by:

 

Happy Little Paintings

Lauren Pantos is a Brooklyn-based Certified Ross Instructor (CRI), Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT), and Visual Arts Educator with over 10 years of experience in her field. She specializes in teaching the wet-on-wet oil painting technique, as seen on Bob Ross’ The Joy of Painting series. She’s also worked with Buffalo-based PBS station, WNED, for two years offering virtual paint nights. 

LuLu Creations

LuLu Creations is a husband and wife team of artisans who have been making beautiful items in the Buffalo area for many years. They specialize in glass blowing, stained glass, quilt making, woodworking and more. Their high-quality designs are all created locally in their shop in Alden, NY and everything they make is hand-crafted with pride and love.

Makerspace Manager, The Foundry

Emma has many roles at The Foundry: she is a Fellow in the business incubator program, an instructor for classes for youth and adults, and also the Makerspace Manager. Emma currently teaches classes in ceramics, laser cutting, 3D printing, printmaking and more. And she’s always willing to try something new. She loves the endless possibilities for projects at The Foundry and often jokes that she “collects hobbies.” When she’s not at The Foundry, she can be found talking to her cats, painting murals, or birdwatching. Her small business, Black and Birdy Pottery, is located in The Foundry, where she makes one-of-a-kind pottery inspired by nature.

Tech Lab Supervisor, The Foundry

Born in Buffalo, Erik Walter has worked in the electronics industry for the last 20 years -- from audio video installation to nurse call equipment repair and currently as a technician in the power industry. Electronics have always been a job and a hobby for Erik, tinkering at home whenever he had a chance. In 2018, Erik began volunteering in the tech lab at The Foundry makerspace and learned to use and maintain their many varieties of 3D printers, as well as assist in teaching electronics in STEAM-based afterschool programs.