Hannah Becker was a gemstone dealer who wanted to make her own jewelry. Melanie Hasan found coloring textiles with natural dyes soothing as she moved through postpartum depression and wondered: Could she make these clothes for a living?
They have each turned their “side hustle,” as Becker called hers, into their main occupation, with guidance from an innovative program at NextFab. The Philadelphia-based “makerspace” operator is known for selling its members access to high-tech hardware — digitally controlled 3-D printers, laser cutters, and other cool tools, from locations in North and South Philadelphia and Wilmington.
But two years ago, the company began offering a twice-yearly Artisan Accelerator Program and inviting hand-crafters such as Becker and Hasan to apply. The program has attracted as many as 90 applicants for six to eight slots in each of the two-month classes….
