🇺🇸 · Claremont Makerspace · Cortney Nichols
Greetings Upper Valley Makers: Stop by tomorrow (May 9th) from 10 am to 2 pm for our Spring Maker Market and Yard Sale event! For most classes and events, CMS MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED. That said, members receive a discount on registration and there are some classes/events that are for members only (this will be clearly noted in the event description). Class policies (liability waiver, withdrawal, cancellation, etc.) can be found here . All of our classes depend on minimum registrations to run so please don’t wait to sign up! If you are interested in being added to a waitlist for a certain class please email: classes@claremontmakerspace.org . Instructors: Interested in teaching a class at CMS? Please fill out our Class Proposal Form . Tours: Want to see what the Claremont MakerSpace is all about? Contact Us to schedule your tour where you can learn about all the awesome tools that the CMS offers access to, as well as how membership, classes, and studio spaces work. Upcoming Events Events that are currently open for registration. Claremont MakerSpace Yard Sale and Maker Market May 9, 2026 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. Join us at the Claremont MakerSpace for a lively spring Yard Sale and Maker Market 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! Sumi-e Japanese Ink Painting, Painting the Bamboo Forest May 10, 2026 2:30 p.m. — 5 p.m. Mother’s Day Sumi e Japanese Ink Painting Class Just for this special one occasion, everyone saves $15 dollars (off the regular price of $80) on each enrollment! Yes, because it is Mother’s Day! Bring your Mom, come if you are a Mom, or because you love your Mom! Sumi-e is the art of Japanese ink painting; a noble and time-honored pursuit of the Japanese scholar. We will cultivate a Zen state of mind by exploring aspects of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. We’ll look at images of Japanese Ink Paintings and learn the basic brush strokes used in this specific type of painting. These techniques can be applied to a variety of painting media. The art is in the touch of the brush stroke, quality of the line, appreciation of the natural world, and the beauty in asymmetry. All supplies are provided. We’ll create multiple paintings. Bring a Smock or come to class dressed to paint (just in case). Class Fees: $65 for members/$75 for non-members 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. Register online at Examtools.org . No walk-ins, please. Doors open at 10:00 for check-in; exams begin at 10:15. In preparation, be sure to read and follow the instructions from ARRL, https://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session . 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! CMS Amateur Radio Club (W1CMS) Monthly Meetup May 17, 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, May 17th 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: This month’s meeting will be a brief, one-hour session focused on planning for the first W1CMS Field Day. The meeting will be led by Paul Davis (K9MR). We’ll cover key topics, including site setup, station planning, and operator coordination for this year’s Field Day. All members are encouraged to attend and contribute ideas. Following the meeting, we will adjourn to the club station for informal operating and continued discussion. Register here! We the People – Artist Talk & Immigration Lecture May 17, 2026 2 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. For this 250th year of the USA, the Claremont Makerspace is celebrating with free We the People community events that focus on immigration to Claremont, past and present. It was immigration that created rapid population growth to transform Claremont from a farming community to an industrialized mill town. On May 17th at 2pm, join CMS Metal Artist Jo Ann Clifford as she talks about the inspiration and creation of her metal statue “We the People”, which will be on display outside CMS from May through August. Then CMS Executive Director Felicia Dalke will talk about the growth of the mills that lined the Sugar River in Claremont, and the immigration boom it created from the 1840s to 1960s. The presentation will be supplemented with audio recordings of Claremont residents who worked in the mills during the last century. Their oral histories were captured in 1980 as part of Claremont’s revitalization efforts. This event is made possible through the sponsorship of Claremont Savings Bank and the Claremont-Sugar River Rotary Club . Also, the Claremont Community Media Center recently published the 1980 oral history recordings, so they are now available to the public via https://claremontv.org/ . The event is free and light refreshments will be served. Registration is recommended but not required. Register here! Open Sew-In May 19, 2026 4:30 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. Allison and Tammie our shop leads will be available to help with any questions you may have. Registration is required. About the Instructors: 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. Making a statement and creating beautiful art as a way to open a conversation that leads to a better world, is the cornerstone of Allison’s career as an artist and art educator. Tammie Davis has been machine embroidering for 10+ years. She has enjoyed being a crafter for most of her life. Her hobbies include sewing, quilting, and anything involving wool fiber. She has been teaching knitting, crochet and needle felting for the past 15 years. She has also taught sewing for three years. Tammy is retired and lives in Springfield, Vt. with her husband and two dogs. Age requirement: Adults (18 and older) Class Fees: Free for members and $10 for non-members. Materials Fee: None Register here! CMS Community Quilts May 21, 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. Register here! Basic Electronics Class May 23, 2026 10 a.m. — 11:30 a.m. 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: FREE for members/$20 non-members Register here! CMS Community Quilts May 23, 2026 1 p.m. — 5 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. Register here! Claremont MakerSpace Creatives Meet-up May 24, 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. The leader for this session is long time member and creative Michelle Goldsmith Class Fees: FREE for all Age requirement: Must be 16 or older Register here! Intro to Machine Embroidery May 26, 2026 6 p.m. — May 26, 2026 8 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! We the People – Create a Community Immigration Quilt May 30, 2026 2 p.m. — 5 p.m. For this 250th year of the USA, the Claremont Makerspace is celebrating with free We the People community events. These events focus on immigration to Claremont, past and present, and highlight how it transformed Claremont from a farming community to an industrial mill town. On May 30th from 2pm-5pm, help us create an immigration quilt for Claremont that covers past and present countries of origin. Community members are invited to come and create quilt squares of foreign flags from the country of your or your ancestor’s birth. Fibers Studio co-Lead Tammie Davis and volunteers will assist you with piecing a flag square using fabric and a fusible adhesive – no sewing is required, only ironing. Please bring a picture of the flag(s) you want to recreate as a quilt square. CMS will provide all materials. P articipants can drop in any time between 2pm and 4:30pm to create their squares. This event is free to the public, and registration is required. Participants must be aged 10+, and those under 16 must be accompanied by their adult guardian. Adults bringing youth should register in the adult name and include the youth names as additional participants. After the event, Tammie and CMS Community Quilts volunteers will combine the squares to finish a full sized quilt. The completed immigration quilt will be unveiled July 3rd during Claremont’s 4th of July ceremonies, and then permanently displayed in a public Claremont building. This event is made possible through the sponsorship of Claremont Savings Bank and the Claremont-Sugar River Rotary Club . Also , the Claremont Community Media Center recently published the 1980 oral history recordings, which are now available to the public via https://claremontv.org/ . As part of We the People events, we will be sharing some of the audio recordings from residents of immigrant families who worked in the mills that lined the Sugar River in Claremont. Register here! Introduction to Paper Piecing May 31, 2026 1 p.m. — 4 p.m. 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. We will make sample 6” squares of increasing complexity that can be assembled later into a pillow top or wall hanging. These practice squares will give you all the skills you need to do many of the paper pieced patterns available. Class Fees: $20 members, $30 non-members Prerequisite(s): Able to use a sewing machine independently Register here! Stamp Making for Beginners and Intermediate May 31, 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! Photography Club June 1, 2026 5:30 p.m. — 7 p.m. Agenda: To Be Announced! 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! Make a Textured Woven Scarf June 6, 2026 noon — June 7, 2026 4 p.m. If plain isn’t your jam, then join this class to get fancy. Start with an empty loom (provided) and we will set it up together. Next learn the basics of weaving; winding a shuttle, keeping smooth edges and tension. Next we’ll insert pick up sticks into the loom to be used to change the patterning. We will learn how to read a written pattern sequence and begin weaving. Day two we will finish weaving the scarf then take it off the loom. Finally we will finish the fringe with knots. Students will go home with instructions on how to wet finish their project for a finished, polished look. Finished scarves will be approximately 75-80″ long and 9.5-10″ wide. Materials for the scarf is a wool and/or wool blend. IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO WOOL AND WANT A SUBSTITUTE, YOU MUST LET THE INSTRUCTOR KNOW ONE FULL WEEK IN ADVANCE PLEASE. Please note that all our classes have a minimum number of registrants required so don’t wait to sign up! Class Fees: $100 for members/$120 non-members Materials Fee: $20 NOT included in the class fee, please bring cash Register here! Introduction to Gouache Painting June 6, 2026 5:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. This workshop is a beginner-friendly introduction to gouache painting, where participants will learn a variety of essential techniques to build confidence and creativity Please note that all our classes have a minimum number of registrants required so don’t wait to sign up! Class Fees: $30 for members/$40 non-members Register here! FREE Teen Sewing Class June 15, 2026 3 p.m. — 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required as space is limited! Open to teens ages 15 – 18 Joining this free class will ensure that participants can use the sewing machines during our PRIDE community quilting event on Thursday, June 18th. Learn how to use the Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machines we have at Claremont MakerSpace. Participants will learn the parts of the sewing machines, how to change needles and presser feet, wind a bobbin and thread the machine, how to get the right tension, trouble shoot problems, sew basic stitches and stretch stitches, and buttonholes. This class will end at 5 pm giving participants time to walk to Broad St. Park for the PRIDE flag raising. Register here! PRIDE Quilting June 18, 2026 1 p.m. — 6 p.m. Join us for a meaningful evening of creativity, community, and service at our PRIDE Quilting Event . Open to teens ages 15+ and their parent or guardian (not required), this free event invites participants to help create a PRIDE-themed quilt that will be donated to Baby Steps , a local nonprofit supporting young families. Together, we’ll celebrate inclusivity and identity while contributing to a project that symbolizes unity and support. Whether you’re an experienced quilter or a total beginner, this is a great opportunity to express your PRIDE, connect with others in a welcoming environment, and take part in a collaborative act of service. This event is supported by the Couch Family Foundation. Pre-registration is required to reserve your spot, and all materials will be provided. Show your PRIDE. Stitch with purpose. Make a difference. Register here! Just Missed These classes are currently full at time of writing. If you are interested, please check the event’s page; spots occasionally open up. Keep an eye on this newsletter to see when these classes are offered again. Intro to MIG Welding May 14, 2026 5:30 p.m. — May 14, 2026 8:30 p.m. Intro to Spoon Carving May 18, 2026 10 a.m. — May 19, 2026 2 p.m. 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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