🇺🇸 · Claremont Makerspace · Cortney Nichols
Greetings Upper Valley Makers: We have lots of fun news to share with you this month! Our summer teacher program has officially launched and registration is open until June 30th, you can find more information about that here: Summer Teacher – The Claremont MakerSpace . We have welcomed a new jewelry shop lead, who is offering a metals studio workshop and a copper cuff bracelet class. The ladies from Terrapin Glassblowing Studio are joining us in July to offer a fused glass panel class. We hope to see you over the next few weeks! 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. CMS Amateur Radio Club (W1CMS) Monthly Meetup June 21, 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, June 21st 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. Register here! Craft your very own Very Huggable Emotional Support Chicken June 26, 2026 5:30 p.m. — June 26, 2026 8:30 p.m. When you need a hug, here’s one that will always be available! Your chicken will be as unique as you are! Consider what colors make you happy or relaxed. Do you enjoy embroidery? add a few stitches. Maybe you want to give your chicken the wings of an eagle! Customize with your own fabrics if you like, maybe you have a color scheme in mind or something personal you would like to include. A selection of quilting weight cottons from the MakerSpace collection, will be available. 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! Intro to Mixed Media Collage June 27, 2026 10 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. A mixed media collage is a visual art form that combines various materials—such as paper, fabric, photographs, stamps, cardboard, and found objects—onto a single surface to create a layered, textured composition. Students will leave class with at least on completed college and an understanding of the process. There will probably be time to complete more than one collage. Please note that all our classes have a minimum number of registrants required so don’t wait to sign up! Class Fees: $65 for members/$75 non-members What Students Should Bring With Them to Class: Scissors, old magazines, photos or sayings you’d like to incorporate. Register here! Jewelry Metals Studio Workshop June 27, 2026 2 p.m. — 5 p.m. This is an open studio for those with some experience working in non-ferrous metal. Light instruction/problem solving is available from Roff (our new jewelry shop lead) in pursuit of personal projects. 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! W1CMS’s First ARRL Field Day June 27, 2026 2 p.m. — June 28, 2026 5 p.m. Field Day is Amateur Radio’s biggest annual operating event, bringing hams together for 24 hours of operating, learning, experimentation, and camaraderie. Since 1933, Ham Radio operators across North America have established temporary communications facilities for this large-scale disaster communications exercise. Whether you are a newly licensed operator, a long-time Ham, or simply curious about Amateur Radio, this is a great opportunity to learn about and experience some of the many aspects of the hobby. The Claremont MakerSpace Amateur Radio Club, W1CMS, will be participating in Field Day this year, and we would love to have you join us. We’ll be operating some of the latest radio technologies, including digital and satellite modes, as well as voice and Morse Code. Exercises like Field Day help Amateurs around the country develop skills necessary to rapidly provide assistance when disaster strikes. It gives us an opportunity to practice deploying portable communications facilities and operating under emergency power in challenging conditions, and to get together and learn from each other. Because our Field Day site is on private property, we are asking everyone who plans to attend to register in advance. Registration allows us to share site information, schedule updates, parking instructions, and any last-minute changes as the event approaches. There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested so we can keep everyone informed and make sure we’re prepared for the number of visitors. We look forward to seeing you at W1CMS’s first ARRL Field Day! Register here! Intro to Spoon Carving June 29, 2026 10 a.m. — June 30, 2026 1 p.m. Students in this class will learn basic spoon carving techniques and will produce at least one spoon during the class. The various tools and materials available will be discussed. Tools will be provided for this class. This is a two-day class: Monday, June 29th AND Tuesday, June 30th 10 am – 1 pm Please note that all our classes have a minimum number of registrants required so don’t wait to sign up! Class Fees: $240 for members/$260 non-members Please Bring to Class: Students should wear comfortable clothes, no open toe shoes. Register here! Copper Cuff Bracelet June 29, 2026 5:30 p.m. — June 29, 2026 8:30 p.m. Learn the art of metalworking while creating your own handcrafted copper cuff bracelet! In this three-hour class, participants will explore fundamental metalsmithing techniques including forging, forming, and annealing copper. You’ll shape, texture, and finish a unique cuff bracelet while gaining hands-on experience with traditional jewelry-making methods. No prior experience is required! Please note that all our classes have a minimum number of registrants required so don’t wait to sign up! Class Fees: $75 for members/$85 non-members What Students Should Bring: Students should wear closed toe/heel shoes (no clogs or Crocs), natural fibers, long pants, and safety glasses. Please bring a mask, any personal tools, and your vim, vigor and vitality! Register here! Photography Club June 29, 2026 5:30 p.m. — 7 p.m. Shooting the night sky can seem daunting even for experienced photographers, but with some preparation and the right techniques, it can be very rewarding. Nico will lead participants through a presentation on how to use normal DSLR/mirrorless cameras and lenses to get started. Many projects (e.g. Milky Way, comets, northern lights, meteor showers) can be done with the gear that participants likely already own. For this session, we will focus on photographing the Milky Way with a landscape in the foreground. The CMS Photo Club plans to organize a Milky Way outing in July. This presentation will help prepare those new to night sky photography for that outing. Topics likely to be covered include: Finding a suitable dark sky location The gear (tripods, lenses, etc.) Focusing on the stars Exposure settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO) Common problems and how to avoid them (lens fogging, blurry photos, etc.) Stacking and compositing multiple images Editing the photos with Photoshop or Lightroom Class Fees: Free for members/$10 for non-members Register here! Basic Electronics Class June 30, 2026 10:30 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/$25 non-members Register here! Cork a Palooza July 11, 2026 noon — 4 p.m. Turn ordinary wine corks into charming, handmade creations! In this fun and beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn how to transform wine corks into decorative and functional projects such as ornaments, coasters, mini planters, wall art, seasonal décor, and more. Participants are welcome to bring their own wine corks to personalize their projects, or use the corks provided in class (we have PLENTY). All tools and additional materials will be supplied. No prior crafting experience is needed—just bring your creativity and get ready to upcycle, create, and have fun! 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 If interested please bring cash to pay for additional items, i.e. wire frame for wreaths or wooden trays for trivets etc. the cost will be under $10 Register here! Claremont MakerSpace Creatives Meet-up July 12, 2026 1 p.m. — 4 p.m. All of our classes and events require a minimum registration so please don’t wait to register (registration is REQUIRED). Looking for dedicated time to make art, share ideas, and be around other creative people who get it? CMS Creatives Meetup is a relaxed, open studio-style gathering for artists, designers, writers, and makers of all kinds to work alongside one another in a supportive, inspiring space. Bring whatever you’re currently working on: Sketchbooks, digital art, painting, writing, fiber arts, prototypes, or passion projects, and settle in for an afternoon of creativity and conversation. This is a space to focus, experiment, and making progress together. Expect good energy, thoughtful conversation, and the kind of motivation that comes from creating in community. Coffee and snacks will be flowing to help keep the ideas moving. Come make things, meet fellow creatives, and leave inspired. The leaders for this session are long time members and creatives Michelle Goldsmith and Tiffany Vincent. Class Fees: FREE for all Age requirement: Must be 16 or older Register here! Mandala Dot Painting July 13, 2026 6:30 p.m. — July 20, 2026 7:30 p.m. Discover the meditative art of mandala dot painting in this relaxing and beginner-friendly workshop. You’ll learn basic techniques to create stunning, symmetrical designs using simple tools and vibrant colors. No prior experience needed—just bring your creativity and leave with a beautiful, hand-painted mandala of your own. All materials provided. Please note that this is a two-session class “During a difficult time in my life, I discovered that replicating certain designs seemed to have a therapeutic quality. Painting a mandala design required concentration, patience, and practice, with the result being an impressive piece of art. This design form can’t be rushed but is achievable for most anyone. It would be my pleasure to demonstrate the process that I use and let you return home with a finished painting, feeling a sense of accomplishment and pride in producing a delightful decoration for your home.” Class Fees: $80 for members/$100 non-members Register here! July Open Electronics Meetup July 14, 2026 6 p.m. — July 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! Make Fused Glass Panels July 14, 2026 6 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. Learn how to create your own 4” × 4” floral panel. Once the panel has been melted together, we will attach hooks so you can display it in a window in your home. The class begins with a quick instruction, then you’ll move to your own area to play and explore, making colorful designs. After class, your panel will go through a kiln cycle to fuse everything together. Panels are typically ready about 1 to 2 weeks after class. Shipping is also available upon request. Ages 16+, with an adult registered & paying to participate in the class as a student. (No unaccompanied minors & no unpaid attendees) Please note that all our classes have a minimum number of registrants required so don’t wait to sign up! Class Fees: $125 for members/$145 non-members Register here! CMS Community Quilts July 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. About the Instructor(s): Michelle Goldsmith has been sewing since she was eight and quilting since she was eighteen. She has experimented with many different sewing, quilting and mixed media techniques. Michelle has had many pieces of her work in shows and juried exhibits. Class Fees: Free! Please volunteer your time to help Baby Steps, a very worthy cause. Materials Fee: None Prerequisite(s): Sewing experience helpful, but not necessary Skill Level: All Age requirement: Youth + Adult (15 years of age and older) Register here! Novel Engineering FREE Training for Upper Valley Teachers July 22, 2026 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. With Novel Engineering, students use stories, novels, or expository texts as the basis for engineering design challenges that help children identify problems, design realistic solutions, and engage in the engineering design process while reinforcing their literacy skills. This professional development is being offered FREE to Upper Valley educators on how to implement the Novel Engineering process designed by Tufts University. After practicing with the students in your classroom, we will come together for more learning and sharing to support you in planning and hosting a STEM/STEAM and literacy-based family engagement event at your school. Designed by the Tufts University School of Engineering Education and Outreach, Novel Engineering is an innovative approach to integrate engineering and literacy in elementary and middle school. Please note that all our classes have a minimum number of registrants required so don’t wait to sign up! 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. Introduction to Woodturning June 19, 2026 5 p.m. — June 20, 2026 4 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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