Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Tonight on Creative Makers Podcast, we're heading into the Catskill Mountains with special guest Austin Handel of Blackthorne Resort, host of the Catskill Mountain Maker Camp!
We're getting to know Austin, talking about the history and community behind Blackthorne Resort, and diving into what makes Catskill Mountain Maker Camp one of the most unique gatherings in the maker community.
We'll also get the inside scoop on Maker Camp 2026, happening October 9–12, 2026 at Blackthorne Resort in East Durham, New York. Maker Camp brings together woodworkers, blacksmiths, metalworkers, artists, craftspeople, DIYers, educators, content creators, and makers of all skill levels for a weekend centered around hands-on learning, craftsmanship, creativity, and community.
What makes Maker Camp such a special experience? What can first-time attendees expect? How has the event grown? And what's in store for 2026?
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Creative Makers Podcast EP161
01:14 Patreon Shoutouts
02:02 Meet Austin Handel of Blackthorne Resort & Maker Camp
02:45 Austin’s Journey as a Maker
03:34 The Story of Blackthorne Resort
04:53 How Catskill Mountain Maker Camp Was Born
08:13 Bringing Jimmy DiResta Into Maker Camp
09:35 Growing Up in the Family Business
10:00 Austin’s Dream of Becoming a Pro Skateboarder
14:00 Taking Over the Family Business
15:16 What Is the Maker Camp Experience Really Like?
17:40 What’s New at Maker Camp 2026?
20:00 Timber Framing at Maker Camp
21:30 Blacksmithing & Maker Camp Intensives
24:10 Tool Restoration & Hands-On Classes
26:00 Learning New Skills at Maker Camp
27:50 Camping, RVs & Staying at Blackthorne
29:25 Food, Drinks & Life at Maker Camp
30:50 What’s October Weather Like in the Catskills?
33:20 How Austin Got Into Blacksmithing
36:10 Austin’s Favorite Projects & Giving His Work Away
37:45 Field of Tools — Vintage Industrial Machinery
40:00 Why the Northeast Has So Many Incredible Old Tools
41:30 Boxing, Blacksmithing & Growing Up at Blackthorne
43:40 Bars, Beer & Adult Beverages at Maker Camp
45:00 When Does Maker Camp Actually Start?
46:20 Maker Camp Tickets, Passes & Packages
47:40 Kids, Families & the Maker Camp Experience
48:25 Make-and-Take Projects
49:30 The Maker Camp Raffle
50:20 When Austin Realized Maker Camp Had Become Something BIG
51:45 The Giant Burning T-Rex
53:15 The Great Maker Camp Flood
55:00 Why the Maker Community Is Different
58:00 What Maker Camp Means to Austin
59:30 Meeting Online Maker Friends in Real Life
61:00 Community Over Followers & Social Media
63:45 Friendships Created Through Maker Camp
65:30 Maker Camp Goes International
67:40 What Does It Take to Organize Maker Camp?
69:30 The Future of Catskill Mountain Maker Camp
70:35 Closing Thoughts with Austin Handel
71:20 Patreon Supporters & Forge 3D Sponsor
73:45 Where to Follow Creative Makers Podcast
74:20 Thanks for Watching!
We'll talk about all of that and more with Austin LIVE!
🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:
• Meet Austin Handel
• Life at Blackthorne Resort
• The story behind Catskill Mountain Maker Camp
• What makes Maker Camp different from other maker events
• What first-time attendees should know
• Demonstrations, workshops & hands-on making
• The maker community and friendships behind the event
• What's coming for Maker Camp 2026
• Why makers should experience the Catskills in October
Whether you're into woodworking, blacksmithing, CNC, metalworking, fabrication, leathercraft, DIY projects, tools, or just making things, this is one show you don't want to miss.
Join the Creative Makers Podcast LIVE, jump into the chat, bring your questions for Austin, and find out why so many makers make the trip to the Catskills for Maker Camp!
Creative Makers Podcast
1. Website: creativemakerspodcast.podbean.com
2. Patreon: supportcmp.com
Show Sponsor: Tyler Collier - FORG3D
Instagram: instagram.com/forg3d.store
Website: https://forg3d.store/blogs/news/new-products-launched-sys-grp-bench-grip-vacuum-pods
Matt Wackerle - Wackey Worx
YouTube: youtube.com/@WackeyWorxWorkshop
Matthew - The Wooden Mustache
Instagram: instagram.com/thewoodenmustache
Joey Gonzales - Steel Blade Woodworks
YouTube: youtube.com/@SteelBladeWoodworks
Steve Iadarola - Steve i Design
YouTube: youtube.com/@SteveI.Design
#CreativeMakersPodcast #MakerCamp2026 #CatskillMountainMakerCamp #MakerCamp #BlackthorneResort #MakerCommunity #Woodworking #Woodworker #Blacksmithing #Metalworking #MakersGonnaMake #MakerMovement #DIY #Craftsmanship #WoodworkingCommunity #Tools #Workshop #Handmade #ContentCreator #CatskillMountains #EastDurhamNY #MakersOfInstagram #WoodworkingPodcast #MakerPodcast #PodcastLive
Tonight on Creative Makers Podcast, we're heading into the Catskill Mountains with special guest Austin Handel of Blackthorne Resort, host of the Catskill Mountain Maker Camp!
We're getting to know Austin, talking about the history and community behind Blackthorne Resort, and diving into what makes Catskill Mountain Maker Camp one of the most unique gatherings in the maker community.
We'll also get the inside scoop on Maker Camp 2026, happening October 9–12, 2026 at Blackthorne Resort in East Durham, New York. Maker Camp brings together woodworkers, blacksmiths, metalworkers, artists, craftspeople, DIYers, educators, content creators, and makers of all skill levels for a weekend centered around hands-on learning, craftsmanship, creativity, and community.
What makes Maker Camp such a special experience? What can first-time attendees expect? How has the event grown? And what's in store for 2026?
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Creative Makers Podcast EP161
01:14 Patreon Shoutouts
02:02 Meet Austin Handel of Blackthorne Resort & Maker Camp
02:45 Austin’s Journey as a Maker
03:34 The Story of Blackthorne Resort
04:53 How Catskill Mountain Maker Camp Was Born
08:13 Bringing Jimmy DiResta Into Maker Camp
09:35 Growing Up in the Family Business
10:00 Austin’s Dream of Becoming a Pro Skateboarder
14:00 Taking Over the Family Business
15:16 What Is the Maker Camp Experience Really Like?
17:40 What’s New at Maker Camp 2026?
20:00 Timber Framing at Maker Camp
21:30 Blacksmithing & Maker Camp Intensives
24:10 Tool Restoration & Hands-On Classes
26:00 Learning New Skills at Maker Camp
27:50 Camping, RVs & Staying at Blackthorne
29:25 Food, Drinks & Life at Maker Camp
30:50 What’s October Weather Like in the Catskills?
33:20 How Austin Got Into Blacksmithing
36:10 Austin’s Favorite Projects & Giving His Work Away
37:45 Field of Tools — Vintage Industrial Machinery
40:00 Why the Northeast Has So Many Incredible Old Tools
41:30 Boxing, Blacksmithing & Growing Up at Blackthorne
43:40 Bars, Beer & Adult Beverages at Maker Camp
45:00 When Does Maker Camp Actually Start?
46:20 Maker Camp Tickets, Passes & Packages
47:40 Kids, Families & the Maker Camp Experience
48:25 Make-and-Take Projects
49:30 The Maker Camp Raffle
50:20 When Austin Realized Maker Camp Had Become Something BIG
51:45 The Giant Burning T-Rex
53:15 The Great Maker Camp Flood
55:00 Why the Maker Community Is Different
58:00 What Maker Camp Means to Austin
59:30 Meeting Online Maker Friends in Real Life
61:00 Community Over Followers & Social Media
63:45 Friendships Created Through Maker Camp
65:30 Maker Camp Goes International
67:40 What Does It Take to Organize Maker Camp?
69:30 The Future of Catskill Mountain Maker Camp
70:35 Closing Thoughts with Austin Handel
71:20 Patreon Supporters & Forge 3D Sponsor
73:45 Where to Follow Creative Makers Podcast
74:20 Thanks for Watching!
We'll talk about all of that and more with Austin LIVE!
🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:
• Meet Austin Handel
• Life at Blackthorne Resort
• The story behind Catskill Mountain Maker Camp
• What makes Maker Camp different from other maker events
• What first-time attendees should know
• Demonstrations, workshops & hands-on making
• The maker community and friendships behind the event
• What's coming for Maker Camp 2026
• Why makers should experience the Catskills in October
Whether you're into woodworking, blacksmithing, CNC, metalworking, fabrication, leathercraft, DIY projects, tools, or just making things, this is one show you don't want to miss.
Join the Creative Makers Podcast LIVE, jump into the chat, bring your questions for Austin, and find out why so many makers make the trip to the Catskills for Maker Camp!
Creative Makers Podcast
1. Website: creativemakerspodcast.podbean.com
2. Patreon: supportcmp.com
Show Sponsor: Tyler Collier - FORG3D
Instagram: instagram.com/forg3d.store
Website: https://forg3d.store/blogs/news/new-products-launched-sys-grp-bench-grip-vacuum-pods
Matt Wackerle - Wackey Worx
YouTube: youtube.com/@WackeyWorxWorkshop
Matthew - The Wooden Mustache
Instagram: instagram.com/thewoodenmustache
Joey Gonzales - Steel Blade Woodworks
YouTube: youtube.com/@SteelBladeWoodworks
Steve Iadarola - Steve i Design
YouTube: youtube.com/@SteveI.Design
#CreativeMakersPodcast #MakerCamp2026 #CatskillMountainMakerCamp #MakerCamp #BlackthorneResort #MakerCommunity #Woodworking #Woodworker #Blacksmithing #Metalworking #MakersGonnaMake #MakerMovement #DIY #Craftsmanship #WoodworkingCommunity #Tools #Workshop #Handmade #ContentCreator #CatskillMountains #EastDurhamNY #MakersOfInstagram #WoodworkingPodcast #MakerPodcast #PodcastLive
