-- Beacon Ridge plaza on Madison Boulevard will host a holiday block party Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the new business MindGear Labs will be joining in the celebration.

MindGear Labs is a fabrication laboratory or "fab lab" where people can create anything from furniture and circuit boards to custom Legos or a personalized bobble-head doll.

Founder Rob Adams and Tia Wheeler, director of operations, worked together brainstorming their idea for the digital workshop in April and opened two weeks ago.

"It's a completely different field for me," Wheeler said mentioning she's a historian with a background in business. "My mother did a lot of crafts and I've always done a lot of handy work so it was kind of a natural fit for me."

With degrees in mechanical, nuclear and aerospace engineering, Adams says MindGear isn't exclusive to professional technicians, but welcomes people from all backgrounds to tinker around the workshop.

"We have all of these devices here for the mechanical guys to do engineering work, but when I talk with the other fab labs, the more non-technical people show up more than technical folks doing crafts, doing art. There are fab labs dedicated to the artist," Adams said.

Adams said by featuring white boards, work stations and a designated kiddie corner, he aims to create an environment in the laboratory that encourages collaboration, discussion, imagination and the opportunity to "feel like a kid again." As an assistant Cub Scout leader to his son's troop, he hopes to help scouts earn merit badges when they visit.

"I think it's got a very broad appeal. It does a lot of things all at once," Adams said.

Adams said those who want more than just a standard product from a retail store can "make something that's uniquely yours."

A computer-controlled laser cutter, a vinyl cutter, milling machines and a 3-D printer are some pieces of equipment customers can use in the workshop.

"There's a whole do-it-yourself movement out there and if you type in DIY you'll find all sorts of websites and companies dedicated to help in building your own things and the fab lab is just one component of it," Adams said.

Along with monthly memberships, MindGear does offer a daily membership that would grant access to one of their machines.

Bikram Hot Yoga, LifeCourse Capital, Inc. and Southeastern Skin Cancer and Dermatology will also be participating in the block party Saturday.

Steve Shannon and DeeDee Morgan from WAHR-FM Star 99.1 will be broadcasting live from the party 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit mindgearlabs.com.

Beacon Ridge Holiday Block Party

When: Dec. 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: 8331 Madison Blvd.

Info: Free food and door prizes will be offered.