This is an exciting session for anyone who enjoys creating jewelry and would like to work with other jewelry enthusiasts while also having a knowledgeable person present to answer questions or help. It is an informal environment for those who have taken a class and have not finished a project and would like help doing so. It is an enjoyable environment for those who are working on their own project and would like to do so with others of likeminded enthusiasm. It is a session time to use expensive or complicated equipment with a knowledgeable person that can give guidance.

Each participant will bring their own project to work on.

Bring to class: Magnifiers. Also, Requirements for the Jewelry Studio include safety glasses (which are available for use) and closed toed shoes. Anyone using the polishing or soldiering area must also be wearing: No hanging jewelry or clothing such as scarves, No hand jewelry and must have their hair tied back. Requirements to prevent cross contamination must always be followed (which is taught during a class).

About the Instructor(s): Angela Hill has been making jewelry for over 50 years. She has taught classes for 30 years. She has sold her jewelry in stores, online and in market places for over 20 years. She especially loves Wire work jewelry, but also does silversmithing, stringing, knotting, seed bead weaving and mixed media metal work.

Class Fees: free for members/ $10 non-members

Materials Fee: none

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: none

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

Always wanted to make your own clothes? Own a sewing machine and afraid to use it? A little rusty and looking to brush up? We are here for you! You may use our machines or bring your own. Class includes an overview of the Textile shop and if you want a tour of the Claremont MakerSpace, we will be happy to provide one when the class is over. 

We have scrap ,material you can use or bring your own! We also have a lot of thread colors. We will make a small basket from fabric!  How to Sew Easy Baskets with 10″ Squares – Layer Cake Leftover Project! (sewcanshe.com)  Cutting squares safely is part of the orientation.

You will learn about choosing fabric and thread and the importance of being matchy matchy. Also, how to cut your fabric -squarely and safely and why ironing is so important. Pieces and parts of a typical sewing machine will be covered. Then on to using the machine – bobbins and threading, basic and decorative stitching, and sewing straight lines and neat corners. 

Please wear a solid pair of shoes, sewing machines are heavy!  Because the machines and fabric can be damaged or stained by spills, any drinks brought to class must be in a covered container.

About the Instructor(s): The instructor for this class is Ann Campbell.

”No, I don’t have a degree in Textiles.  I like to say my Master’s is in FUN! I am a 2013 graduate of McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.  McDaniel is part of a group of colleges featured in a book called 40 Small Colleges Changing the World. 

I have been sewing since I was about 6 and my concentration was on Baby doll clothes.  I hadn’t even advanced to owning a Barbie Doll. My mom is my inspiration and my first teacher. I have sewn costumes for several plays, including one for which my daughter, now a costume designer, earned a Kennedy Center award. I have sewn on purpose real maternity clothes on an antique treadle machine.”

Class Fees: free for Members/ $10 non-Members

Materials Fee: none

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: beginner and up

Age requirement: Any age (children under 16 must be accompanied by their adult)

Would you like to learn how to use basic shop machinery to make a lovely hardwood serving/cutting board?  Then this is the course for you.  Starting with raw lumber you will learn how to make a useful and beautiful piece that can serve you or a special friend for years to come.

You will learn about wood selection, milling it “foursquare”, and designing a layout.  Then you will practice gluing it up and sanding it (wet and dry) before applying mineral oil and beeswax. 

All tools, materials, and safety gear will be provided – though, students are welcome to bring their own tools and gear.

About the Instructor(s): Peter Gunn is a long time high school history teacher who loves wood from trees to the table.  Eight years ago he began taking woodworking courses and has been practicing steadily ever since.  He loves working on the lathe and with the jointer and planer to reveal the beauty of wood and make useful things.  Learning to make a cutting board encouraged him to develop his skills and nurtured his appreciation of what wood can become.  During the holidays in 2020, when Covid altered so much of our world, he began making cutting/serving boards to raise money for local food pantries.  Almost three years and over two hundred boards later, he is excited to share his knowledge.  He hopes people will enjoy making something uniquely beautiful and growing their skills and self-confidence in the process.

***This class meets twice***

November 2, 2023 6pm-8:30pm

AND

November 9, 2023 6pm-8:30pm

Class Fees: $50 CMS members/ $60 non-members

Materials Fee: Included in class fee

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: Beginner

Age requirement: Any age (children under 16 years old must be accompanied by their adult)

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:

November 7, 2023 6:30 – 8:00 pm

November 14, 2023 6:30 – 8:00 pm

November 21, 2023 6:30 – 8:00 pm

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.

Bring to class: A note pad and pen or pencil

About the Instructor(s): Russ Scaduto received his doctorate 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 brough Russ to New Hampshire, where he joined the Claremont Makerspace to further pursue his woodworking hobby.  In the Spring of this year, Russ was juried in as a craftsman in the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. 

Class Fees: $30 members/ $40 non-members

Materials Fee: none

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: Intermediate

Age requirement: Adult (18 and up)