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.

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

Sunday April 21, 2024 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

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. Over three years and 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.

Peter has taught many cutting board workshop at CMS and enjoys working with aspiring woodworkers in this awesome space.

Class Fees: $175 members/ $195 non-members

Materials Fee: $75 (included in the class fee)

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: beginner

Age requirement: Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by their adult

Turning a hobby into dollars or a business is a dream for many people. Let us show you the way!

From crafts to ideas, what might be a fun endeavor to make as a hobby can easily become lucrative. But it’s important to remember that turning a talent into dollars is more than just passion. It requires careful planning and preparation. Are you ready to start?  Is there is a demand for what you’re offering?

Once you’re confident in the marketability of your hobby, it’s time to start creating a business model. A business model is essential as it will give you an idea of what you need to do. In this class you will learning the Business Model Canvas approach, which will enable you to envision, test and confirm the critical elements of your business idea.

Turning a hobby you love into a business can be incredibly rewarding, and you may find that your newfound venture opens up many new possibilities. The key is to be persistent and stay organized.

Agenda:

– The Business Model Canvas, a simple one-page business plan for getting started

– An Entrepreneurial Quiz to assess readiness to begin

Note:  Light refreshments will be available.

***Class meets twice***

April 20, 10:00am to 11:30am

May 4 12:00pm to 1:30pm

About the Instructor(s): Presenter Gene Calvano, a mentor from SCORE Granite Region, brings to the table experience in sales, sales management, and marketing and has helped many people start and grow their business.

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

Materials Fee: none

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: all

Age requirement: Ages 16 and up

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

Join us on April 21 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: Adam Goldsmith (KC1GDW) presents on APRS focusing on its use to support The Prouty. Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) is a digital communication system for ham radio users that transmits information over short distances using radio waves. Think of it as a texting and location-sharing app for hams. APRS can also transmit weather data, emergency alerts, and other useful information.

APRS can be an invaluable tool when internet access isn’t available. During The Prouty: Bike, volunteer hams use APRS position
reports to help track and direct support to riders and teams on the road.

Discover the technology behind APRS, how to get started, and its exciting possibilities. This presentation is your gateway to the world of digital ham radio!

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

April Vacation Camp 2024  – Earth Day & Spring Awakening

We will look at Monet’s Waterlilies, learn about the water cycle, and create our own beautiful pastels and paintings. We’ll look at Georgia O’Keeffe’s giant flower paintings and be mesmerized by the beautifully colored beetles, butterflies and other insects that love the flowers in our gardens! We’ll create a series of drawings, paintings, and 3 dimensional art that will celebrate Spring and the reawakening of a new day.

Join us each morning from 9 am to 12 noon at Claremont MakerSpace for fun and engaging art activities! We will learn about color, composition, atmospheric perspective, all while we are creating beautiful artwork. On Friday we will have a little exhibition for friends and family during the last twenty minutes of class. Please join us.

Students should bring an interest in creating artwork. A smock, and or wear clothing they can paint in.

This class will meet for 5 days:

Monday, April 22, 2024 9:00am to 12:00pm

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 9:00am to 12:00pm

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 9:00am to 12:00pm

Thursday, April 25, 2024 9:00am to 12:00pm

Friday, April 26, 2024 9:00am to 12:00pm

About the Instructor(s): Allison Zito received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of the Arts. Her artwork has been exhibited in numerous museums including The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, The Delaware Art Museum, The Pennsylvania State Museum in Harrisburg, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art.  Allison has decades of teaching experience, having taught a variety of classes at The Philadelphia Museum of Art, at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, PA, and at the University of Pennsylvania Morris Arboretum. She has taught Studio Art in the Upper Valley at AVA Gallery and Art Center, Craftstudies at Hanover League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, ArtisTree, and Claremont Maker Space with stunning results.  Allison Zito was awarded The Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 for her work as an artist and art educator. In 2019 Allison was awarded an Artist in Residency at The Claremont Maker Space. There she created an art installation addressing the issue of Global Warming and she organized a symposium on site, to inspire positive action within the greater community. Allison created two local public art murals in 2021, one for The Sullivan County Conservation District in Unity and Allison created the Bee and the Monarch Medallions on the Lebanon Art Tunnel Way Pollinator Mural. Creating beautiful art in an effort to open a conversation that can inspire hope and action for a better world. This the cornerstone of Allison’s work as an artist and art educator.

Class Fees: $170 for children or grandchildren of members/ $190 for children or grandchildren of non-members

Materials Fee: $60 (included in class fee)

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: all

Age requirement: designed for children ages 6-12

Do you like to take things apart? Do you like music and noise? Do we have the event for you! Circuit Bending is all about making music (or noise) by rewiring devices and toys. We will have a plethora of things to touch, rewire, solder, and take apart. We’ll go over what Circuit Bending is and how it works. No skills required. There will be several electronic/music/demolition folks around to help you. We’ll play with all kinds of electronics to make noise, blink lights, and generally have a good time. If you’re already into Circuit Bending, bring your instruments to share! If you have any old (battery-powered only) electronic toys, bring them along!

This is a VERY unstructured class, so bring your curiosity and sense of fun. We’re hoping to make this a monthly hang-out/jam.

Class Fees: Free for CMS members. $10 non-members

Materials Fee: $10 (included in the price – goes towards subsequent class activities)

Prerequisite(s): None

Skill Level: No skills required! Just a good sense of fun and a high tolerance for noise and blinking lights.

Age requirement: None. Parent partners are required if under 15 years old.

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)