Hi, I’m Shawn

Shawn profile photo

I build tools that save makers time, protect their files, and make production less frustrating.

I run a small laser engraving studio in Vermont under AshCat Creative. Like most makers, I didn’t start out wanting to write software—I just wanted my jobs to run clean, my files to behave, and my brain to stay focused long enough to finish the day without fighting my tools.

That didn’t happen.

So I started fixing the problems myself.

The short version

After one too many late nights cleaning broken SVGs, re-exporting files, and bouncing between half-compatible apps, I began building small utilities to remove friction from my own workflow. Tools that ran locally. Tools that didn’t phone home. Tools that did one thing well and got out of the way.

Those utilities became The Maker Tools.

How it actually started

  • A laser running nonstop while Etsy orders stacked up
  • Files from ten designers, all “almost” correct
  • Manual fixes at midnight because tomorrow’s orders had to ship
  • Notes scribbled on what actually worked, not what tutorials promised

I wasn’t trying to build a platform. I was trying to survive production days without losing momentum—or my sanity.

What I care about

  • Maker mode: staying focused from idea → finished product
  • Local-first software: your files stay on your machine
  • Speed without shortcuts: faster workflows that don’t compromise results
  • Tools built from reality: production floors beat theory every time

If a tool adds friction, steals focus, or treats your work like “demo data,” I’m not interested.

Where this is going

  • Purpose-built tools for engravers, sellers, and small studios
  • Simple interfaces backed by real production experience
  • Utilities that save hours, not screenshots
  • Documentation written by someone who actually ships products

No fluff. No “enterprise dashboards.” Just tools that respect your time.

What to expect here

Everything I share is something I use—or built because I needed it. SVG cleaners. Batch utilities. Indexing tools. Workflow guides. If it doesn’t earn its place in a real shop, it doesn’t ship.

If you’re trying to move faster without losing control, you’re in the right place.

Have a workflow you want to speed up? Email me at support@themakertools.com and tell me what you’re building. If it’s a real problem, there’s a good chance I’ll want to solve it.