NextFab

Melissa Guglielmo

I run the Jewelry Department at NextFab and have expertise in working with metal on a small scale. I graduated from the University of the Arts with a degree in Crafts, and have had many odd jobs over the years working across diverse materials including glass, wood, and textiles. I worked at an awesome ethically sourced jewelry shop for over four years and gained important knowledge of both the retail side of making and the value of offering customizations. I joined the team in 2014 when NextFab was just starting its second location in North Philly. This location was slated to include a new department - Jewelry! I really enjoy teaching and the continued learning environment that the studios support. The community, connections, and shared resources are a constant inspiration to push me and each other to set goals and put the work in to see them through. My work day is incredibly dynamic and requires a balance of all of the things - this requires a ‘figure it out’ team spirit that I have endless gratitude for every day! In 2021, I participated in a collaborative quilt project that was started by NextFab member Kara Khan, where I brought in my jewelry skills by making small leaves that I embroidered onto the quilt square. I purchased reclaimed corset boning from The Resource Exchange and stitched these on as the border. The contributors were all women, including a coworker and a great friend. Sometimes working on a collaborative piece is just what you need to get inspired to work on your personal projects again!

Ben Fries

I’m the Community Manager at our North Philly location, where my responsibilities include facilitating the delivery of the Artisan Accelerator program, managing the studio spaces community, teaching classes and workshops, and maintaining the equipment. I came to NextFab searching for a change in my current path. I had little idea what NextFab was but quickly learned and came to appreciate the community and the space to create. Over the last few years, my main areas of technical focus have been a light metal fabrication, furniture craftsmanship in wood, and CAD/CNC practice and application. One project that I’ve really had to dig in with (and am still digging into) is the bass guitar I am building. It’s challenged me to use a variety of skills, many of which I’ve learned here at NextFab.

Kelly McGovern

I am the Textiles Department Manager at our North Philly location, where I also teach welding classes. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in sculpture, followed by a graduate degree in visual studies, I got to work for a variety of artists building their sculptures, held a few factory jobs as a machine operator, taught in a college, and exhibited my artwork all over the country and a handful of places abroad. I started working at NextFab because it seemed like a good fit with my variety of skill sets and seemed like a very cool place to work (it is!) with a lot of creative and inspiring projects being made. The shops we have are truly incredible and my team is like my family. You can also find me running the gallery space and artist residency programs at NextFab, along with my special helper Girlfriend, the North Philly shop dog.

Anne Burtner

I studied architecture in college, where I first got into woodworking. I quickly became more interested in working in the woodshop than my assignments, so I eventually dropped out and continued to build my skills in wood, metal, and textile work through both a variety of fabrication jobs and self-exploration. I have worked in varied fields, from high-end furniture production to designing and installing displays in retail environments. In my personal practice, I tend to use trial and error and play to accomplish my goals, using mostly recycled or used materials. I love learning new skills and knowledge and then sharing that with others, making NextFab an ideal place to work. The opportunities throughout the day to share advice, teach a class, or just chat about projects with both members and coworkers make this place stand out. In my spare time, I read a lot, paint on all of my clothes, and work towards perfecting my paper clay recipe so that I can transform all of my old, embarrassing journals and sketchbooks into blobby, lightweight furniture.

Michelle Kwiecien