In the halls of libraries the world over, there is currently a book missing about a great teacher who is also an author, a publisher, a skilled maker in his own right, and an altruist. You see, this book project almost didn’t get to see the light of day because when I approached Tim about this years ago, I was met with a hard no. He said he “would rather be written into a crime novel.” Cheeky, huh? But seriously, for as many outstanding books and creative projects Tim has put out into the world (which number into the dozens), he has not been the subject of a book and frankly, it’s time!

I’m proud to invite you to be a creator of that book, “Tim McCreight: Marks of a Maker.” With your generous support, you will fill the void of many a bookstore and library shelf and help to spread the legacy of inspiration and generosity that Tim continues to bestow upon our global community. 

Expected to release in fall of 2025, “Tim McCreight: Marks of a Maker,” and its accompanying group show, will be for students, artists, educators, collectors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs, as well as for anyone who is curious about exceptional people disguised as ordinary folks.

Aren’t you curious? Learn why and how to support this important project by scrolling down this page. 

As a retired professor of Maine College of Art & Design, currently enjoying his gilded age, now is the time to shine the light on Tim McCreight, an exceptional innovator and grantor of knowledge. And, now more than ever, in this time of short attention spans and manufactured intelligence, we need a true model that can inspire and guide us in the making of a creative life well made, and McCreight is just that individual. 

While I have direct access to McCreight and those within his orbit, now is the time to collect stories and reflections while the voices are still vibrant and alive. Through a series of essays, articles, images, and narrative, “Tim McCreight: Marks of a Maker” will be a record and testament to the impact McCreight has made as told by those close to and around him. It would be a missed opportunity and a deep loss to allow the account of such a visionary go unnoticed and undocumented. It is urgent that this story be recorded and shared now before the most relevant views and voices are lost.

I’ve known Tim since the last century. Thinking I was going to create my own illustration major at Maine College of Art in 1996, somehow I wound up in the metalsmithing studio, where Tim was teaching, and I never left. At the time, I had no idea in how many profound ways Tim would influence my life. Traversing through life with him first as a student, then as his editorial assistant, later as his studio photographer, and now as a friend, Tim has been a steadfast thread throughout my entire adult life. I am uniquely qualified to share this story with you.

Once published, “Tim McCreight: Marks of a Maker” is the second significant book I will have produced to honor a prominent Maine artist’s contributions to the craft community. My flagship book, published in 2006, “Lissa Hunter: Histories Real & Imagined,” is a monograph of the decades-long career of Portland fiber artist, Lissa Hunter. Hunter continues to sell this book to private collectors, students and galleries that are currently showing her work. 

“Tim McCreight: Marks of a Maker” will be a similar book, in scale, and will benefit from the wisdom I gained from having successfully fundraised, written, designed, published and sold “Lissa Hunter: Histories Real & Imagined,” a similarly meaningful book. 

And finally, as a self-identifying maker, I thrive in the orderly chaos of art directing, where connections are made, ideas are born, and possibilities become reality. I look for every opportunity to exercise curiosity, share in community, and to make things. 

Project budget: $150,000

Money raised from this campaign will pay for hefty printing and freight costs, in addition to administrative costs that include paying me a modest salary to art direct, write, design and publish this book. Other costs include managing grants, paying honoraria to contributing writers, production expenses that include technology and hardware i.e., design programs and back-up storage. Accessibility in the form of digitizing the book, and creating an audio version, are all significant costs that your support will also fund. Administering the accompanying group show and producing a softcover catalog are also associated costs. Funds will also be used for marketing and promotion including the hosting of a website and rewards for support of this campaign. And finally, the IndieGoGo fee of about 8-10% of total pledges of support is a necessary expense.

While I am simultaneously pursuing grant opportunities, they are very competitive and there is no guarantee that I will be awarded them so, I encourage you to support generously to this campaign and share this opportunity with anyone who might be interested in seeing a great project garner wings.

You will be a significant part of history as a creator of a first of its kind publication about a world class maker, teacher, author, publisher, and philanthropist. With your support, we will fill a hole in library shelves across the nation.

• Plus, it is important to recognize and acknowledge people who are exemplary in their fields of expertise, accomplish great things, and carry out admirable acts so future generations can learn from and be inspired by them. 
• Furthermore, what good is the recognition and acknowledgment of achievement if the recipient isn’t present to receive it? Your support will show Tim, in no uncertain terms, that he made an impression on you that is worthy of note, maybe even life changing.

While I am optimistic that we’ll reach our financial goal, the project is too important to abandon if we don’t. To be realistic, an incomplete funding operation will likely extend the time before we have books in hand and negatively impact our capacity to carry out the accompanying group exhibition, which we will forfeit if the entire budget is not met. Your support will still be applied to bring the printed and bound book to life. 

Another area where we could encounter a challenge would be with unforeseen global disruptions that could choke supply chains or freight operations. These are obstacles that I anticipate but don’t expect to encounter but, if they become an actuality, I will communicate immediately and directly with you about how we will navigate around them. 

• First of all, you’ll feel awesome that you helped create the first of its kind book about Tim McCreight, no matter at what level you support this project.
• Beyond the awesome feeling you get from creating a book, there are 10 perks to choose from, that all leave their own special mark. Scroll down to choose the perk that’s right for you.
• If we exceed the $150,000 goal, 25% of the overage will be donated to The Toolbox Initiative (toolboxinitiative.org), the philanthropic organization that Tim co-founded with Matthieu Cheminee, that donates and delivers school supplies to students and metalsmithing tools to artisans in West Africa.

Can’t make a contribution right now? No problem! 

• Share “Tim McCreight: Marks of a Maker” on social media.
• Just talk about the book project with everyone you know.

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I am so excited to create this book and I simply can’t – and won’t – do it without you! A million thanks in advance for helping to make this project come to life. I have no doubt that Tim has touched your life and left its unique and notable mark.

Now let’s go make a book!

How is it possible we don’t already have a book about Tim McCreight? Tim McCreight is the epitome of what it means to be a maker. A metalsmith, jeweler, writer, publisher, educator . . . He is out of this world creative, talented, and skilled. As an educator, he is generous, kind and community-minded. The impact Tim has had on the creative world is a thunderous domino effect. I don’t know a single metalsmith who doesn’t lean on his iconic book The Complete Metalsmith. His work has influenced so many and unlocked skills and perspectives for countless students and other makers. He’s a gem and that’s why I support this book project by Abby Johnston.

–Lynn Brunelle, former student of Tim and four-time Emmy Award-winning writer for “Bill Nye the Science Guy,”

Abby couldn’t have picked a more interesting and inspiring subject for her next book. I have been fortunate to have spent some time around Tim and I couldn’t be more excited about a book honoring his work and ethos.

–Jason Morrissey, former student of Tim and world-class bladesmith and glass worker.