🇺🇸 · Claremont Makerspace · Cortney Nichols
Greetings Upper Valley Makers: We are so excited to bring back our Artist in Residence program for Spring 2026, see here for all details: https://claremontmakerspace.org/2026/03/23/press-release-spring-cms-artist-in-residence-opens-with-support-from-the-league-of-nh-craftsmen/ We have also started a blog post series so please follow that for more about what is going on at the MakerSpace, what our members are up to, and all things making. Our first post here (written by Executive Director, Felicia Dalke) highlights the women of the MakerSpace: https://claremontmakerspace.org/2026/03/20/the-women-of-cms/ Upcoming Events Events that are currently open for registration. Photography Club March 30, 2026 5:30 p.m. — 7 p.m. Agenda: Presentation: TBD for this month! one of our members will present on a topic of interest to the group. Open image share and questions: everyone gets an equal share of the meeting. Plan on 5-15 minutes per person depending on attendance: bring 1-2 images you made to share with the group, or your questions for the group about gear, shoot ideas, computer editing, or whatever else has been on your mind lately. About the Club We are a new group of amateur and professional photographers meeting regularly to learn from each other, practice our craft, and develop the community of photographic artists, commercial photographers, and visual storytellers around Claremont and the Upper Valley. Meetings are free for CMS members, and open to the public with a fee to support operations at the MakerSpace. Each meeting is led by one of our members and focuses on a topic of interest chosen by the group: from technical workshops on shooting techniques, to photo critique sessions, gear show & tells, photo walks, and whatever else we come up with together. Class Fees: Free for members/$10 for non-members Register here! Intro to Machine Embroidery April 1, 2026 4 p.m. — 6 p.m. Machine embroidery is a fun way to add embellishment to plain ready to wear garments and handmade items. You can create gift items, clothing, ornaments and many useful household items. I will show you how to select a design to be placed on a thumb drive. Also cover the different stabilizers used and how to set up the hoop with materials for embroidery. Then how to use the machine to embroider your item. Our classes require a minimum number of registrations to run so don’t wait to sign up! Class Fees: $50 for members/$60 for non-members Materials Fee: $10 NOT included above, please be sure to bring cash with you on the day of class Register here! Small Business Roundtable April 9, 2026 5 p.m. — 7 p.m. Join the Claremont MakerSpace’s first Small Business Roundtable event for an evening filled with valuable information and networking opportunities for new and experienced small business owners. This free, drop-in style event is a great chance to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and speak directly with experts that work with small businesses every day. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone doing business. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights and make meaningful connections. Pre-registration is greatly appreciated. Register here! Basic Electronics Class April 11, 2026 10 a.m. — noon This introductory class is designed for beginners who want a practical, hands-on understanding of electronics without heavy mathematics or prior experience. Students will learn the essential concepts—voltage, current, resistance, and basic circuit behavior—then immediately apply them by building simple working circuits with a battery, switch, and LED. The class then transitions to microcontrollers, where participants connect an Arduino to a computer, control outputs, and calculate component values for safe operation. Finally, students use an AI programming assistant to generate and modify simple code, including blinking patterns and Morse code. This class is ideal for those new to electronics, hobbyists, educators, or anyone curious about how hardware and simple programming interact. Those already comfortable designing multi-component circuits, writing microcontroller code from scratch, or working with embedded systems may find the material too introductory. Please note that all our classes have a minimum number of registrants required so don’t wait to sign up! Class Fees: $10 for members/$20 non-members Register here! Stamp Making for Beginners and Intermediate April 12, 2026 1 p.m. — 3 p.m. Want to learn how to carve a stamp for printing on paper, fabric, and more? In this class we will go over the process, and you will be able to keep your stamp and make hundreds of prints if you’d like to! I will provide ink, carving tools, rubber to carve, and some paper for stamping on. If you would like to bring clothing to stamp your design onto that is welcome, make sure it is cotton. Please note that all our classes have a minimum number of registrants required so don’t wait to sign up! Class Fees: $60 for members/$70 non-members Register here! April Open Electronics Meetup April 14, 2026 6 p.m. — April 14, 2026 9 p.m. 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. Paul Davis, the Electronics Shop Lead, is here to help folks get started, locate tools and parts, and support a fun, collaborative environment. Attendees are encouraged to share knowledge, but please note this isn’t a repair service, and there may not be anyone available for one-on-one troubleshooting. Class Fees: Free for members and $10 for non-members Register here! CMS Community Quilts April 16, 2026 1 p.m. — 6 p.m. Helping hands needed to make warm, comforting quilts for Baby Steps in Claremont! Only basic skills needed. Do you know how to use a sewing machine, iron, or rotary cutter? This is not a quilting class, but we will guide you along through the whole process of making twin and crib size quilts for those in need in our area. Please come when it is convenient for you, even if you can only spare an hour. Sponsorship: All materials are provided thanks to a generous donation from a local quilter. Many thanks to Mascoma Bank for sponsoring the program to provide studio space and additional supplies. The Home Depot is supporting this program by providing storage containers to manage the quilting materials. Class Fees: Free! Please volunteer your time to help Baby Steps, a very worthy cause Register here! Intro to MIG Welding April 16, 2026 5:30 p.m. — April 16, 2026 8:30 p.m. Thinking about trying out MIG welding? This is an introductory workshop in learning, safety, tools and techniques in MIG welding. No experience required. Must provide your own safety glasses (we do have extras here), leather work shoes and leather gloves . Helmets, jackets and materials will be provided. Students will: . Learn about safety in the metal shop and welding studio . Learn about MIG welding equipment and materials to be used . Use the MIG welding equipment to spot weld, draw a bead and join two prices of metal Class Fees: $65 members, $75 non-members Register here! FREE Wheelchair Repair Clinic April 18, 2026 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. We are excited to partner with Assistive Technology in New Hampshire (ATinNH) part of UNH’s Institute on Disability and Kevin Levesque of REM ( REM – Lovingly Restored Medical Equipment ) who is volunteering his expertise in wheelchair repair, to host a no cost wheelchair repair clinic. In order to assure that we have the correct parts and pieces for each wheelchair, we ask that you preregister and let us know what brand your chair is and what needs to be repaired or replaced by March 23rd. This will give ATinNH the lead time to order any parts we may need to make to make the repairs that you need. This is a free event but pre-registration by March 23rd is required. Register here! CMS Amateur Radio Club (W1CMS) Monthly Meetup April 19, 2026 1 p.m. — 3 p.m. The Claremont MakerSpace has an Amateur Radio club! Before makers, hackers, and DIY, there was Amateur Radio. Join us on Sunday, April 19th at 1 p.m. for our monthly meeting (usually 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: Medical Reserve Corps & Amateur Radio: Building Readiness The Medical Reserve Corps in Vermont has taken on recruitment, training, and provision of radio operators in support of public health and medical communications in times of emergency. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the MRC program, the Auxiliary Communications (AuxComm) mission, and the status of healthcare emergency communications in Vermont. We’ll also discuss how we hope to expand the program and increase involvement and readiness among HAMs interested in putting their talents and experience into helping their communities. Presented by: Heather Rigney, MPH, CEM (KC1PMR) Heather Rigney works for the Vermont Department of Health in the Preparedness, Response, and Emergency Medical Services Division. She collaborates with state agencies, community partners, and the public on emergency preparedness and the incorporation of emergency preparedness measures into plans. She is also the Vermont statewide coordinator for the Medical Reserve Corps, a national volunteer organization with a focus on community preparedness and education. Heather has been an emergency management practitioner for twenty-two years. Heather is also a Technician Class operator, callsign KC1PMR. Register here! Making Recycled Paper Beads April 21, 2026 12:30 p.m. — April 23, 2026 2:30 p.m. Learn how to make Paper Beads by Recycling wrapping paper or any paper! Paint your own designs or use preexisting ones. Join our optional second session to make jewelry with your beads! This class is two sessions, the first on Tuesday, April 21 and an optional second session on April 23rd. This will allow the beads to dry so that you can then use them to make jewelry! Please note that all our classes have a minimum number of registrants required so don’t wait to sign up! Class Fees: $20 for members/$30 non-members Register here! Open Sew-In April 21, 2026 4 p.m. — 7 p.m. Bring your sewing projects and supplies and have fun visiting with other fiber artists and enthusiasts. Work on your projects in our roomy and comfortable sewing department. We have plenty of table space and 5 Singer heavy duty sewing machines, irons, ironing board, and a variety of sewing notions to use in the Fiber Arts Studio. All Levels are welcome. While assistance is available, participants interested in using the MakerSpace equipment should have a basic working knowledge. Class Fees: Free for members and $10 for non-members Register here! Circuit Electronics Class April 25, 2026 10 a.m. — noon This course builds on basic electronics and moves into practical circuit design and analysis. Students explore Kirchhoff’s Laws, transient behavior, AC signals, impedance, and phasors, then apply these ideas to real components including resistors, capacitors, and inductors. The class introduces active devices such as diodes, transistors, FETs, and operational amplifiers, along with logic circuits and microcontroller interfaces. Emphasis is placed on understanding both mathematical models and physical behavior, including sensing and control applications using real-world devices. This class is appropriate for those comfortable with basic circuits who want to understand how real electronic systems behave and how to design them. Students already experienced with analog circuit design, frequency-domain analysis, or embedded hardware development may find the material largely review. Please note that all our classes have a minimum number of registrants required so don’t wait to sign up! Class Fees: $20 for members/$40 non-members Register here! Member Plant Swap April 25, 2026 10 a.m. — noon This is a CMS member-guest event. Come share your cuttings of house plants AND/OR outdoor plants and transplant some new ones to take home. Bring your own pots and CMS will provide potting soil. We’ll also spruce up the front of the building with a few planters. This member event will be hosted by Felicia, and you will get to know other members who have a green thumb and love to garden. Please register so we know how much soil to provide. Register here! Claremont MakerSpace Creatives Meet-up April 26, 2026 1 p.m. — 4 p.m. Looking for a space to focus on your art, connect with other serious makers, and recharge your creative energy? The CMS Creatives Meetup is a dedicated time for artists, designers, and makers who are committed to their craft. Bring your current project —whether it’s sketching, digital art, painting, writing, or any other creative pursuit—and work alongside a community of like-minded individuals. This is not a casual drop-in for dabblers; it’s a supportive environment for those who take their creativity seriously and want to grow in the company of peers. Expect inspiration, honest conversation, and the motivation that comes from making in public. Coffee will be provided to keep the ideas flowing. Come ready to create, connect, and contribute. Class Fees: FREE for all Register here! Photography Club April 27, 2026 5:30 p.m. — 7 p.m. Agenda: Presentation: TBD for this month! one of our members will present on a topic of interest to the group. Open image share and questions: everyone gets an equal share of the meeting. Plan on 5-15 minutes per person depending on attendance: bring 1-2 images you made to share with the group, or your questions for the group about gear, shoot ideas, computer editing, or whatever else has been on your mind lately. About the Club We are a new group of amateur and professional photographers meeting regularly to learn from each other, practice our craft, and develop the community of photographic artists, commercial photographers, and visual storytellers around Claremont and the Upper Valley. Meetings are free for CMS members, and open to the public with a fee to support operations at the MakerSpace. Each meeting is led by one of our members and focuses on a topic of interest chosen by the group: from technical workshops on shooting techniques, to photo critique sessions, gear show & tells, photo walks, and whatever else we come up with together. Class Fees: Free for members/$10 for non-members Register here! Claremont MakerSpace Yard Sale and Open House May 9, 2026 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. Join us at the Claremont MakerSpace for a lively spring Yard Sale and Open House event! This special event will feature a wide variety of handcrafted goods, creative projects, and gently used items for sale by our talented members—both active and returning. CMS will also offer surplus tools, equipment, and supplies for sale, with proceeds supporting our nonprofit mission. While you shop, take advantage of our open house to explore the space, meet makers, and learn more about our classes and membership. Whether you’re looking for a unique gift, a great deal, or a chance to get inspired, this community event is not to be missed! Rain or shine—we’ll be outside if the weather is good, or indoors if not. If you are a current or on-hold member at CMS and would like to sell items please reach out to cortney@twinstatemakerspaces.org Register here! Making Photographs: From Camera to Prints May 11, 2026 5:30 p.m. — May 18, 2026 8 p.m. Beginner-friendly and all experiences welcome! Learn the principles of taking beautiful photos, how to cull and edit your work, then choose 1-2 to print on archival fine-art papers. This sounds dramatic, but you don’t truly know your photographs until you’ve seen them on paper. This course will also set you up for a planned autumn workshop on frame-making and mounting (stay tuned for details) Session 1: Tools & Taking – Visual Storytelling, Essentials of Photography Equipment & Technique Session 2: Work Session – Culling, Editing, and Printing Class Fees: $100 for members/ $120 for non-members Register here! May Open Electronics Meetup May 12, 2026 6 p.m. — May 12, 2026 9 p.m. 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. Paul Davis, the Electronics Shop Lead, is here to help folks get started, locate tools and parts, and support a fun, collaborative environment. Attendees are encouraged to share knowledge, but please note this isn’t a repair service, and there may not be anyone available for one-on-one troubleshooting. Class Fees: Free for members and $10 for non-members. Register here! Amateur Radio License Exam Session May 16, 2026 10 a.m. — noon W1CMS is proud to host Twin State Radio Club’s testing session. This is an opportunity to get your Technician license or upgrade from Technician to General or from General to Extra. The doors open at 9:30 a.m. for registration, and testing begins at 10:00. In preparation, be sure to read and follow the instructions from ARRL, https://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session . Drop-ins are OK, but it would be helpful to know who is planning to attend. If you or someone you know is interested, contact kb1vun@arrl.net . Register here! Turn a Bottle into a Glass May 16, 2026 1 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. Transform ordinary glass bottles into beautiful, functional pieces in this hands-on workshop. You’ll learn how to safely cut and finish glass to create your own drinking glasses or lamp shades—perfect for gifts, home décor, or just showing off your maker skills. Class Fees: $75 for members/$85 non-members Register here! Happy Makin’! We are grateful for all of the public support that our 501(c)(3), non-profit organization receives. If you’d like to make a donation, please visit the Support Us page of our website.
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