Unlimited Creative Solutions at The Forge Opening Soon

Published 9/17/25

BlueWaterParent.com Publisher, Jennie McClelland, shares her “sneak peek” of The Forge in downtown Port Huron.

Tools for Creating Just About Anything

The Forge, located at Foundry Port Huron is something you really have to see to believe. I checked out the innovative makerspace this morning and got to hear from owner Jody Parmann about her vision for the creative destination, scheduled to have its Grand Opening on October 11th, 2025. Parmann is skilled at reinvention, creativity, technology, and teaching, and she is combining all of those into The Forge. The Forge has an undertone of Greek mythology. The machines have Greek names, and customers can choose their engagement levels: Prometheus, Hephaestus, or Hestia. Go to https://theforgeph.com/membership for details.

The Forge Jody Parmann — Jody Parmann, Owner of The Forge

Flexible Space

What’s a makerspace? I didn’t really know. I’ve been to Maker’s Faires in the past, so I was picturing tubs of “parts” that kids can make into something that will eventually end up in the dumpster. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The space has a very artistic vibe and has a collection of comfortable seating and working options, but it has so much more than that. It has state-of-the-art, brand new equipment for embroidery, decal pressing, 3-D printing, wood burning, and more. There is even a CNC machine. What’s a CNC machine? It is a robot that takes a computer-aided design (CAD) and makes it into something. I thought those were just found in factories, but it turns out they have many other uses.

The Forge Woodburning — Coaster custom-made by Jody Parmann at The Forge Port Huron

Who is this for?

The Forge is for all ages. If a child is working on a LEGO set, a model car or plane, or some other project, and they lose a critical piece, there’s no need to scrap the whole project. You can probably make a copy of that critical piece at The Forge. You can make stickers with your own design. Kids, teens, and adults who are into role-playing tabletop games can make their game pieces here. Have a great idea for a personalized gift? You can probably make it here. There are practical applications as well. For example, I had an expensive vacuum that was held together by one flimsy plastic piece that eventually broke. I could have 3-D printed that replacement piece at The Forge! Parmann showed me how she fabricated a similar little plastic piece to make it easier to use one of her machines. The options are endless, and from a parenting perspective, I love how it has the potential to teach kids to think creatively and not just throw things away and start over when a piece breaks.

One of the most practical things at The Forge is a massive paper cutter. It could save so much time for people who have a large stack of paper to cut. Teachers, take note. This is better than the old rusty one in the school office.

Paper Cutter and T-shirt Press at The Forge Port Huron

The Forge 3D Printers — 3D Printers at The Forge Port Huron

Old-School/High-Tech

Overall, The Forge is very high-tech. Parmann is proficient in computer-aided design and graphic design, and is clearly addicted to learning and expanding her skill-set. That kind of “let’s figure it out” energy is what drives The Forge. Old school standards like board games and puzzles can be created with cutting-edge CAD technology and produced on the machines at The Forge. Parmann plans to give demonstrations and presentations in the future for others who are looking to learn new skills, find ways of solving problems, and create solutions. One example is the popular “Cricut” machine that many people have but don’t know how to use. You can learn at The Forge. Parmann is creative, but she is also a busy mom, artist, and entrepreneur. She will share the tips and tricks on how to use a tool, like a Cricut, in the most efficient and economical way to get the results that the user is looking for.

Art and Technology

Parmann said that The Forge gives patrons an opportunity to “explore tools that help you create”. She said, “There are millions of ways to get things done. Someone could have their own way of doing something. There’s no one way to get it done.” She will teach how to use the tools and the processes; the user will take it over from there. She has already seen how one project leads to another and opens the door for unexpected creativity and results.

Board Game Prize

Parmann created a beautiful one-of-a-kind board game that she will be giving away in a future promotion. She designed, printed, and created every bit of the game using her tools at The Forge. Watch The Forge’s social media posts as the October 11th Grand Opening approaches.

You can learn more about memberships at The Forge and much more at the website: https://theforgeph.com/.

The Grand Opening event features items made with the tools at The Forge, snacks, music, giveaways, and more. Find more information here.