Join us on May 4th to shop our maker and yard sale tables, see tool demonstrations and learn about the Claremont Makerspace. Star Wars enthusiasts are invited to bring items to show and there will be a display of CMS member droids and other items.  Take a tour of the MakerSpace and see demonstrations of wood turning, the mid-arm quilting machine, the laser cutter, ShopBot and other tools. 

The event opens at 10am. There will be tables of new and used items for sale in the parking lot from 10am to 2pm. Tours are available from 10am to 1pm. Demonstrations start at 10:30 and every 30 minutes until 12:30. If it rains, the event will be held inside.

This event is free and open to the public, but please register.

The Claremont Makerspace’s laser cutter/engraver is an incredibly versatile tool which can be used for making high precision cuts and engravings on a wide variety of material such as wood, acrylic, leather, paper, fabric and more.  In this 4 hour class +30 min midway break, we’ll walk through all the steps from idea, to design, to pressing the “go” button on the laser. Each student will be able to take their finished design home with them! This session’s theme is a Mother’s Day wall sign, or you can choose a more generic sign. The class will encompass a variety of elements to get you familiar with how lasers work, and what they can achieve. 

Although advanced design and computer skills aren’t required to take this course, you will need to be comfortable operating and navigating the Windows-based computer. We will have laptops available for use during the class. However please feel free to bring your own. We also suggest bringing a USB jump drive to class to store your design and transfer it to the laser.

Computer programs we will use:

• Inkscape (Total Free)
• GIMP (Total Free)
• Coreldraw (Free Trial)

 You may choose to install these programs before you come to class to get familiar with the software and its basic functions

Equipment we will use:

• Laser cutter

Craft Skills

You’ll need no specialized crafting knowledge for this class. Depending on how you wish your finished project to look. You will need to be comfortable with simple painting/staining, gluing, and gentle sanding. 

About the Instructor(s): Eric Chef has operated his own artisan production business since 2019. This company utilizes a variety of equipment such as laser cutters and CNC machines to create a huge range of items from promotional items, signage, or artisan craft goods. Eric has experience in every aspect of using a laser cutter to turn your idea into a finished item. 

Class Fees: $50 members/ $65 non-members

Materials Fee: $10 included in class fee

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: beginner

Age requirement: Youth and Adult (15 years and older)

Learn VCarve and the ShopBot

Back by popular demand!  We are planning a set of three training sessions for users to learn the VCarve software application and the ShopBot.  The VCarve application by Vectric is used to design parts, which are cut by the Shopbot.  The ShopBot is a computer-controlled router that can cut various materials with a high degree of precision.  These three training sessions are intended to get you proficient in using these systems.  After these sessions, the successful student will be well-prepared for certification on the ShopBot.

Please note: This class meets for three sessions on the following dates:

May 9, 2024 6:30 – 8:00 pm

May 16, 2024 6:30 – 8:00 pm

May 23, 2024 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Bring to class: A laptop computer would be helpful, but not essential.

Session 1, VCarve part 1:

The first session will introduce the user to 2D design using Vectric VCarve.  We’ll start with a review of user interface and progress to using its CAD features draw parts we plan to make.  The use of various drawing tools will be discussed in addition to managing and importing vector files.  We will use these drawing tools in VCarve to design a sign. 

Session 2, VCarve part 2:

The second session will introduce the selection of router bits and how to control the chip load of the bit in the ShopBot.  We will also review router bit management using the tool database.  When our sign design is complete, we will discuss the CAM features in VCarve and construct tool paths.  We will learn how to save and export these toolpaths for cutting the sign in the ShopBot.

Session 3, Using the ShopBot:

This session will start with a review of the safety features of the ShopBot.  This will be followed by a discussion of the machine components, holding down the work piece and setting the X, Y and Z axis.  Finally, we will discuss the workflow used to manage the created toolpaths and, finally, cut the sign we designed in class.

About the Instructor(s): Russ Scaduto received his doctorate in biochemistry from Indiana University and then spent 34 years at the Penn State University College of Medicine where he conducted research and taught graduate and medical students.   Retirement in 2018 brought Russ to New Hampshire, where he joined the Claremont MakerSpace to further pursue his woodworking hobby.  Last spring Russ was juried in as a craftsman in the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. 

Class Fees: $40 members/ $65 non-members

Materials Fee: none

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: Intermediate

Age requirement: Adult (18 and up)

Join us in celebrating World Collage Day, Saturday May 11, with a fun introductory collage-making session! You will receive a goodie bag (cost included in class fee) containing everything you need to create delightful and personal works of art both in class and afterwards, with no previous art experience needed. Collage art is the opportunity to play with materials you find beautiful, meaningful, maybe even a little edgy, and to combine them to tell stories unique to you.

Your instructor/facilitator will share tips and tricks learned over several years, most recently having attended an intensive collage residency with Kolaj Institute in New Orleans this past December. You will learn pros and cons of different collage elements and adhesives, methods to creat a visually-pleasing collage, a bit about resources and the larger collage community, and what to do – and not do – with your finished works of art. Most of all, you will have fun!

About the Instructor(s): Debi A Barton is an analog collagist, art journaler, occasional writer and random photographer, based in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Her life and creative work are most influenced by a lifelong love of travel, deep woods and mountains, as well as outsider art. 

Debi’s collage-based art journals have most recently been featured in Art Journaling magazine (January 2019, July 2019, January 2020, July 2023). Her fabric art has been exhibited at the Beyond Gallery (formerly of Bennington, VT) and AVA Gallery (Lebanon, NH)(2020); her mixed media collage art in AVA Gallery Members’ Exhibition (2022), Art Around Books (Bellows Falls, 2022), Canal Street Art Gallery (Bellows Falls, 2023, 2024). 

Class Fees: $15 members/ $25 non-members

Materials Fee: (included in class fee)

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: beginner

Age requirement: Youth and Adult (15 years and older)

Bring your electronics projects and supplies and have fun visiting with other Electronics Enthusiasts. Work on your projects in our stocked Electronics and Digital Fabrication Lab. In addition to the MakerSpace’s soldering irons, diagnostic tools, and parts library, there will be some LED soldering kits and soldering irons available for purchase as well.
 
Hang out, finish your projects, think about future projects, and just enjoy being around other electronics enthusiasts.
 
Tiffany, the electronics shop lead, will be available to help you set up, find parts, and offer support.

Class Fees: Free for members and $5 for non-members.

Materials Fee: None (LED soldering kits and personal soldering irons are available onsite for purchase

Prerequisite(s): None

Skill Level: Any

Age requirement: Youth and adult (15 years and older). Under 15 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian partner.

Join us for a comprehensive exploration of photography, where you’ll learn essential techniques, basic photo editing, printing fundamentals, and genre exploration.

By the end of this course, participants will have a solid understanding of photography basics, essential camera settings, composition techniques, the process of selecting, editing, and printing photographs

Class Outline:

Part 1: Foundations of Photography (1.5 hours)

Understanding your camera: Overview of different camera types and basic functionalities.
Exposure triangle: Understanding aperture, shutter speed, and ISO for well-exposed photographs.
Composition techniques: Rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, and basic composition principles.
Hands-on practice: Practical exercises to apply foundational concepts.

Part 2: Lighting, Photo Editing, and Printing (2 hours)

Lighting fundamentals: Utilizing natural and artificial light to enhance photographs.
Introduction to photo editors: Basic tools and techniques for enhancing images.
Printing workshop: Introduction to printing techniques and selecting images for print.
Hands-on practice: Editing images and preparing them for print.

Part 3: Critique and Q&A (30 minutes)

Critique session: Reviewing printed photographs and edited images, and receiving constructive feedback.
Q&A and Closing: Final discussion and addressing any remaining questions.

Students need to bring a DSLR or a camera with changeable lenses and a computer/tablet for editing photos

About the Instructor(s): 

After graduating with a fine arts minor and assisting in teaching photography classes during his undergrad, Ellis Boettger transitioned into a role as a photographer and social media manager in a college communications department. After a few years, he has rediscovered his passion to teach. He’s now back as a part-time photographer, driven by his love for teaching and sharing expertise in photography.

Class Fees: $110/Members, $130 Nonmembers

Materials Fee: $10 (included in the class fee)

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: beginner

Age requirement: Adults ages 18 and up

The Claremont MakerSpace has an Amateur Radio club! Before makers, hackers, and DIY, there was Amateur Radio. 

Join us on May 19 at 1 p.m. for our monthly meeting (every third Sunday) You do not have to be a licensed ham to participate, just bring your curiosity and energy! Everyone is welcome! Each month, we feature a presenter (45 minutes to an hour), and after we adjourn to MakerSpace’s Digital Fabrication and Electronics Lab for open-time kit building, sharing, studying, and socializing.

This Month’s Presentation: TBD 

What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio (often called ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics, and communication together. People use Amateur Radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It’s fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need.

How is Amateur Radio used?

Amateur Radio is used for a variety of recreational and service-related activities. Amateur Radio operators, also called “hams,” use Amateur Radio equipment to engage in two-way personal communications with other hams, as well as:

• Aid communication during public events, such as parades and road races
• Act as a vital communications link during emergencies and disasters
• Advance their technical skills and build their own radio components (ever wanted to talk to an astronaut in orbit?)
• Participate in competitive events and earn awards in contests

Who can become a ham?

Anyone of any age who is not a representative of a foreign government can be an Amateur Radio operator in the US. Before you can get on the air, you’ll need to be licensed and know the rules to operate legally. In the US there are three license classes — Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. The Claremont MakerSpace has resources and support available to help you learn and prepare to take your exam. 

You can learn more about amateur radio here: arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio

Students will use a pretty grain/pet food bag or, if experienced machine sewer, you may choose a burlap coffee sack, to make a reusable shopping bag.  Good bye to plastic! 

About the Instructor(s): Ann Campbell learned to sew at her mother’s knee.  Pillows and Barbie clothes were first.  She graduate to clothing in a natural progression and has made costumes in several college productions 

Class Fees: $10 members / $20 non-members

Materials Fee: none

Prerequisite(s): Students should be able to use a sewing machine 

Skill Level: beginner

Age requirement: Any age (students 16 and under need to be accompanied by an adult)

The Claremont Makerspace’s laser cutter/engraver is an incredibly versatile tool which can be used for making high precision cuts and engravings on a wide variety of material such as wood, acrylic, leather, paper, fabric and more.  In this two session class, we’ll walk through all the steps from idea, to design, to pressing the “go” button on the laser. Each student will take a finished wall sign home with them! It will encompass a variety of elements to get you familiar with how lasers work, and what they can achieve. 

Although advanced design and computer skills aren’t required to take this course, you will need to be comfortable operating and navigating the Windows-based computer. We will have laptops available for use during the class. However please feel free to bring your own. We also suggest bringing a USB jump drive to class to store your design and transfer it to the laser.

Computer programs we will use:

• Inkscape (Total Free)
• GIMP (Total Free)
• Coreldraw (Free Trial)

 You may choose to install these programs before you come to class to get familiar with the software and its basic functions

Equipment we will use:

• Laser cutter

Craft Skills

You’ll need no specialized crafting knowledge for this class. Depending on how you wish your finished project to look. You will need to be comfortable with simple painting/staining, gluing, and gentle sanding. 

About the Instructor(s): Eric Chef has operated his own artisan production business since 2019. This company utilizes a variety of equipment such as laser cutters and CNC machines to create a huge range of items from promotional items, signage, or artisan craft goods. Eric has experience in every aspect of using a laser cutter to turn your idea into a finished item. 

****This class meets twice***

May 22, 2024 6pm to 8pm

and

May 29, 2024 6pm to 8pm

Class Fees: $50 members/ $65 non-members

Materials Fee: $10 included in class fee

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: beginner

Age requirement: Youth and Adult (15 years and older)

Students will learn the basics of knitting – casting on, knitting, purling, and binding off. So many projects can be created by knowing those 4 skills, they are an entry to an amazing world of color and texture! Knitting is a skill that can be enjoyed at all ages.

The materials fee will cover a set of needles and a skein of yarn. 

About the Instructor(s): Lisa Delmar has had a fascination with all things fiber and color since she was a child. She learned to sew and crochet while young and learned to knit in her 20’s. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and learned about patternmaking and machine knitting as well as other fashion design skills. 

She has been knitting for the last 40 years and has designed and created many sweaters and other knitted items. Some of her favorites include a series of 10 pairs of knitted and felted slippers and a complex cardigan that she designed for the Green Mountain Spinnery in Putney, VT.  

Class Fees: $40/members /$45 non-members

Materials Fee: $10 included in class fee

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: beginner

Age requirement: Youth and Adult (15 years and older)

Fusible applique is a fun, easy way to add to your quilts, make colorful pillows or bags, and patch clothing! We will experiment with shapes and decorative stitiching using double sided webbing that becomes an adhesive with heat. Students will go home with a variety of samples that they can refer to for future projects.

About the Instructor(s):  Michelle Goldsmith has been sewing since she was eight and quilting since she was eighteen (no, she’s not doing the math for how long ago that was). She has experimented with many different sewing, quilting and mixed media techniques. She has had many pieces of her work in shows and juried exhibits.

Class Fees:  $15 members/ $25 non-members

Materials Fee: $10 (included in the class fee)

Prerequisite(s): Students should be able to use a sewing machine

Skill Level: beginner

Age requirement: adults ages 18 and up

Precise points! Seams that match!

If “regular” piecing leaves you frustrated because the blocks don’t always fit together* the way the pattern shows, you will love paper piecing. Students will make four 6” blocks of simple, classic designs. These could later be put together for a pillow, or used as the start of an entire quilt.

*I am all for “wonky” quilts! no judgement here! It’s always nice to have options, though.

<<< This class requires a kit that can be purchased at Golden Anchor Quilting in Claremont, NH >>>

The cost of this kit is $19.99 and includes an Add-a-Quarter Ruler, a fabric glue stick, a “finger presser”, the paper patterns that we will be working on and a coupon for a discount on any fabric purchased during your visit. The cost of this kit also covers additional supplies that will be used during class.

Please bring your own fabric. Bring at least 2 different coordinating fabrics, more variety (4-6 fabrics) will be more fun to play with. A scrappy look works well, too. A total of a yard-ish should be plenty. Some fabric from the instructor’s stash will be made available in class. 

About the Instructor(s): Michelle Goldsmith has been sewing since she was eight and quilting since she was eighteen (no, she’s not doing the math for how long ago that was). She has experimented with many different sewing, quilting and mixed media techniques. She has had many pieces of her work in shows and juried exhibits.

Class Fees: $10 members, $20 non-members

Materials Fee: $19.99 (not included in the class fee, see note above)

Prerequisite(s): Able to use a sewing machine independently

Skill Level: beginner

Age requirement: Adult, 18 and up

The Claremont MakerSpace has an Amateur Radio club! Before makers, hackers, and DIY, there was Amateur Radio. 

Join us on June 16 at 1 p.m. for our monthly meeting (every third Sunday) You do not have to be a licensed ham to participate, just bring your curiosity and energy! Everyone is welcome! Each month, we feature a presenter (45 minutes to an hour), and after we adjourn to MakerSpace’s Digital Fabrication and Electronics Lab for open-time kit building, sharing, studying, and socializing.

This Month’s Presentation: TBD 

What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio (often called ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics, and communication together. People use Amateur Radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It’s fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need.

How is Amateur Radio used?

Amateur Radio is used for a variety of recreational and service-related activities. Amateur Radio operators, also called “hams,” use Amateur Radio equipment to engage in two-way personal communications with other hams, as well as:

• Aid communication during public events, such as parades and road races
• Act as a vital communications link during emergencies and disasters
• Advance their technical skills and build their own radio components (ever wanted to talk to an astronaut in orbit?)
• Participate in competitive events and earn awards in contests

Who can become a ham?

Anyone of any age who is not a representative of a foreign government can be an Amateur Radio operator in the US. Before you can get on the air, you’ll need to be licensed and know the rules to operate legally. In the US there are three license classes — Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. The Claremont MakerSpace has resources and support available to help you learn and prepare to take your exam. 

You can learn more about amateur radio here: arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio