Author: Brendan Dangelo

Makers,

Next week, CMS shop lead and instructor Allison Zito will be offering a week long virtual class for ages K – 12, Our Favorite Birds.

In this multi-session class, students will use a variety of mediums to recreate their favorite birds. We will draw, paint and use pastels to make renderings of our most cherished avian friends.  At the end of the class, students may digitally submit their pictures to the Mass Audubon museum exhibit. 

This class will meet 12 – 1 PM, June 8 – 11th.

This class is free, but registration is required.  Learn more here. 

Starting next week, learn how to code a virtual Sumo Bot for our upcoming competition on June 21st and on Saturday join us for Setting Up Your First Website. Learn more about both of these events below!

Virtual Sumo Bot Competition

Let’s face it – it might be a while before we can return to hand to hand combat – so why not have a robot do your bidding for you? Meet The Sumo Bot, a maniacal battler of brute force and binary. Two bots shall enter the ring, only one will leave victorious. Will it be yours?

Robots can be coded using blockly which is easy-to-use block-based coding or Javascript.  Anyone can enter the competition by creating an account and building code on the http://roboton.io/ site.  We will also be holding coding hang out sessions on May 26th (register here) and June 7th (register here), from 6 – 8 PM. If you are newbie, this is will be a great opportunity to start learning. 

Please register for all events if you plan on attending and/ or participating.

Join us for the bracket – based Virtual Sumo Competition (register here) live on June 21st, following the Nashua Robot Builders Meeting (some point after 7:15 PM, more info here.) By registering you will be able to watch the competition! Virtual prizes will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Setting Up Your First Website

Saturday, June 6th, 10 AM

As a maker, a website is crucial to show your skills or sell your wares. People will find you, get to know you, and buy your stuff. In this class, you’ll learn how websites work, the steps to set up your own website using WordPress, how best to show off your craft online, and even how to sell them.

This class is presented free of charge, but registration is required. This class will be presented online, you will receive the access link after registration. Register for this class here.

On Instructor Corey Maas:

Corey Maass is a full-stack web developer with a love for creativity, entrepreneurship and “building stuff” both on and off the web. He currently lives in Plainfield, New Hampshire.

Share Your Skills With The Community

We are looking to bring more online learning opportunities to the Claremont Makerspace community. Would you like to share your skill or lead a project? Please email brendan@claremontmakerspace.org to learn how.

What have you been working on? 

Have a cool project that you’ve been working on at home? Please share it with us! Our community is excited to learn about how people are keeping busy and creative during this downtime. Please share pictures and stories with us, by emailing info@twinstatemakerspaces.org and join us on our online community board.

Be Well & Happy Makin,’

The Claremont MakerSpace Team

Makers,

We wish you continued well being during this time. We are moving towards offering online educational experiences at CMS, including Beginner Zentangle, next Wednesday, May 20th at 2 PM. Registration information can be found here. 

“Zentangle® is a simple-to-learn method to create beautiful art by drawing simple patterns. The process is a mindful and meditative art form that some use to enhance creativity, increase focus, or just to relax. In this class, participants will learn philosophy, method, and approach to creating Zentangle art. Students will put pen to paper and learn to tangle beautiful patterns on small square paper tiles. All materials will be provided by the instructor in class. If you can draw a line and very basic shapes, you can create beautiful work! No artistic experience is required, but artists looking to incorporate something new into their practice are welcome.”

This class is free, but space is limited. Please register soon, if you plan on attending.

We are looking to bring more online learning opportunities to the Claremont Makerspace community. Would you like to share your skill or lead a project? Please email brendan@claremontmakerspace.org to learn how.

What have you been working on? 

Have a cool project that you’ve been working on at home? Please share it with us! Our community is excited to learn about how people are keeping busy and creative during this downtime. Please share pictures and stories with us, by emailing info@twinstatemakerspaces.org and join us on our online community board.

The below picture comes from a headboard made by CMS wood shop lead Dave Lucier.

Attention Makers:

Our friends at Cole-Tac have recently switched their operations to making gowns and face masks to help with the PPE shortage due to COVID-19.  Although they have an abundance of supplies and the ability to cut designs, their bottleneck is sewing the face masks. They currently have identified a need of over 5000 masks.If you own a sewing machine you can help! Cole-tac is bundling material in lots to produce 25 masks. The material is cut and only needs the final assembly.

They have also streamlined the sewing so it only takes around 5 minutes to produce a mask. Check out their step by step video here.

If you’d like to help out please email Dustin at dustin@coletac.com to coordinate picking up materials at their Newport facility. 

Thanks, Be well & Keep on Makin

Hello Maker Community,

We hope this email finds you well and coping with home schooling, social distancing and an early spring bout of snow.

We want to share with you some more information on how you can be part of the community of innovative people trying to help put their talents, skills and resources to use as part of the solution.

• You can put your spare computer resources to use to help researchers find treatments that can have an impact on how COVID-19 impacts people.  For many years a dedicated team of researchers have been running a massive distributed computing project to simulate protein folding to find cures and therapies for a diseases such as Alzheimers and Cancer .  They have recently prioritized their efforts on finding solutions to COVID-19. The point is to generate the data necessary to discover treatments that can have an impact on how this virus affects humanity. The Folding@home software allows you to share your unused computer power with them, so they can research cures and treatments for COVID-19. While you are working from home, why not put your office computer or unused server or part of your home computer to work.
  
  The Claremont MakerSpace has dedicated all of our spare computer resources to this task, and we encourage you to do so too.  If you want to join our team, we’re team #247608
  
  You can find information about the project in the following locations:
  The Folding@home website
  
  Hackaday has two detailed articles explaining the project and how to download, install and configure on your computer. Remember, if you want to join the Claremont MakerSpace Folding@home team, we’re team #247608.
  
   Hackaday March 18, 2020 and a followup article from March 22, 2020
  
  
• Join the new Claremont MakerSpace Community Forums. We’re hoping that this can be a resource for local makers to coordinate efforts, share ideas, inspiration and projects for groups and organizations that need help. You can create an account on the new CMS Community Forums using your google account, or Facebook.  
  
  Claremont MakerSpace Members should select “with LDAP” when you create an account, and then use your the same username and password that you use for Claremont MakerSpace network computing account (your username will be your.name. If you need to reset your CMS network computing password, you can do so at https://claremontmakerspace.org/membersonly/#myaccount)
  
   
• Follow us on Facebook.  We’ve been posting information on projects and ideas that other MakerSpaces are working on and information on projects you can undertake right now and make a difference. We’re also posting regular updates on designs and requests from the medical community on what they need, and how they would prefer they are designed and delivered.
  
   
• Plan C From Maker Space From Make: – Learn how a grassroots uprising of makers, engineers and others are creating a backup plan for the backup plan for COVID-19. This is about the people and projects of Plan C from Maker Space.
• Mighty Small is a NH initiative to connect people with downtown businesses that are offering unique and inventive ways to access goods and services.  The site includes a Resource and Adaptation Guide strategies to help businesses navigate the current crisis.

 Be safe, be healthy and keep makin’,

The Claremont MakerSpace Team

Makers,

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish our community well during these tough times. With the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic already adversely affecting many people in our region, we’d like to use our platform to share information on resources available locally. 

Small Business Loans Available

Based on the request of Governor Sununu, the SBA has declared a disaster declaration for the entire state of New Hampshire based on economic injury due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).   

All the details including the joint press release, the loan application process, assistance for government contractors, and other resources can be found on our website here.

Small businesses looking for assistance should reach out to one of our partners for help with things such as filling out paperwork, questions or even advice.  Our partners include SCORE, NH Small Business Development Center, and the Center for Women & Enterprise (NH’s Women Business Center and Veterans Business Outreach Center).  You will find links to each of these partners on our website at www.sba.gov/nh under “From our office”.    

As you’re aware, this is a very rapidly developing situation.  To keep up to date on all activities effecting NH small businesses, please join our mailing list click here.

Unemployment Benefits Available for those Affected by COVID-19 Issues

Concord, NH – Today, Governor Chris Sununu issued the following Emergency Orders which will provide relief for Granite Staters affected by COVID-19:

All providers of electric, gas, water, telephone, cable, VOIP, internet service, and deliverable fuel services will be prohibited from disconnecting or discontinuing service for non-payments for the duration of the State of Emergency.


Landlords will not be allowed to start eviction proceedings for those unable to pay due to their financial situations. To do so would be against the law. All judicial and non-judicial foreclosure actions will also be prohibited during the state of emergency.


Individuals who are unable to work or who have reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have immediate access to unemployment benefits. Anyone in the following situations will now be eligible for state unemployment:

If your employer temporarily closes due to COVID-19; Individuals that need to self-quarantine or are directed to quarantine at the instruction of a health care provider, employer or government official; Individuals that need to care for a family member that has COVID-19 or is under quarantine; Individuals that need to care for a dependent because of school closures, child care facility closures or other similar types of care programs; Self-employed individuals that are temporarily unable to operate their business because of any of the above listed situations will also be eligible.


Individuals will need to file for each week of temporary unemployment and all of this can and should be done online or by calling. People can do all of this online from their home internet connection or their phone without ever having to go into a state office. The website to access is www.nhes.nh.gov and the phone number to call is 603-271-7700.

UV Strong

UV Strong is a regional website offering information on giving and receiving help during crises that occur in our area. Check here for more information.

COVID 19 & Freelance Artist Resources

An aggregated list of FREE resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines available HERE.

Educational & Making Resources:

With many members of our community now housebound and schools closed, we have been sharing a variety of educational and free internet based resources to learn. Please check our Facebook page for more information. 

If you come across additional resources, please email them to us and we will be sure to include them in a future missive. 

Be Well & Happy Makin,’

The Claremont MakerSpace Team

Register for these classes & more HERE.

Interested in teaching a class at CMS? We recently updated our site with information on how you can share your skills at CMS.

Questions about upcoming classes, events or the Claremont MakerSpace in general? Let us know at info@twinstatemakerspaces.org.

Happy Makin,’

The Claremont MakerSpace Team

Makers,

The Claremont Makerspace’s laser cutter/engraver is an incredibly capable tool which can be used for making high precision cuts and engravings on a wide variety of materials. In this three hour class, we’ll walk through all the steps from idea to pressing the “go” button on the laser. After learning the basics, each student will create a simple design and cut it on the laser!

Although advanced design and computer skills aren’t required to take this course, in order to attend the optional follow-up certification session (to get approved to use the CMS’s laser cutter/engraver on your own) you will need to be comfortable operating and navigating the Windows-based computer. 

More technically inclined students may bring a laptop and a USB jump drive to class. You may choose to install Inkscape or a free trial of Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw (the laser cutter workstation has a CorelDraw license) before you come to class to get familiar with the software and start on a vector design project. 

Intro to Laser Cutting occurs this Friday from 6 – 8 PM,  to register please go here.

Other Upcoming Events

3D Print Club

Every Tuesday, 6 – 9 PM

Join us for 3D PRINT CLUB! Every week, we’ll get together and participate in an open design session. This event is all about self-directed learning and hanging out with other people working on 3D designs or prints. Bring your own laptop or make use of the (first come-first-serve) Makerspace laptops loaded with Fusion 360.

Bringing your own laptop to this event is strongly encouraged!

Register here.

Intro to CNC Routing

Tuesday, February 25th, 6 – 9 PM

Computer numerical controlled (CNC) routers rock. They’re cutting machines used for cutting various hard materials (wood, aluminum, foam, plastics, etc) and are useful for a huge variety of creative applications. Need to cut (or carve) a complex or unique shape? Lots of them? This machine will be your friend!

Intro to CNC Routing will provide an overview of CNC routing with a ShopBot CNC machine – covering safety procedures and basic setup and operation of the ShopBot CNC system, as well as the software used to run this tool. We will walk through the process of cutting out a pre-programed design and end with parts ready to assemble!

Participants of this workshop will have the opportunity to sign up for a follow certification session. Upon successfully passing this certification test, these Members will be allowed to use the ShopBot on their own. 

Register here.

Home Schoolers Adventures in Art

Mondays, 10 AM – Noon, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Art is fun and it encompasses all the fundamental disciplines. History, math, science, literature, humanities, all inform and enliven our art. We will look at the greatest of human achievements and from those lofty heights we will create our own art work. Join me at Claremont Maker Space for this creative and exciting program, painting drawing creating sculptures and more

Register here.

Twin State Innovation

Tuesday, March 10th, 8 – 9 AM

Twin State Innovation is a monthly, entrepreneur-focused event designed to connect entrepreneurs with each other and their community. The event is free and open, everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of background or experience.

Entrepreneurs and small businesses often feel disconnected from each other and their communities. Twin State Innovation is about tac this challenge. The goal is to help spur a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting entrepreneurs – both established and aspiring – to each other and their local communities so they can receive support, develop their ideas, and collaboratively solve the problems they face.

During this event, two entrepreneurs will present for six minutes, followed by 15-20 minutes of questions from the audience. Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of their background or experience. The more community involvement and the greater the diversity of ideas the better!

This event is free, but registration is encouraged.

Register here.

We’ve got even more classes/events on the calendar, so check out the full line up HERE.

Interested in teaching a class at CMS? We recently updated our site with information on how you can share your skills at CMS.

Questions about upcoming classes, events or the Claremont MakerSpace in general? Let us know at info@twinstatemakerspaces.org.

Happy Makin,’

The Claremont MakerSpace Team

Makers,

Intro to 3D Printing is for anyone that has zero to little experience with 3D Printing.  We will provide an overview of 3D printers and the printing process – covering everything from the way 3D printers are built through the ways we use them to create objects. In this beginner level class, we will discuss different methods of 3D printing and cover the fundamental steps for designing and printing models. Participants will get to know how the MakerSpace’s printers – the LulzBot Taz 6 and Lulzbot Mini – work, and how to use them safely. Following the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to sign-up for certification sessions on these machines, so that they can use them on their own at the CMS.

Intro to 3D Printing is this Friday, February 21st from 6:30 – 8:30 PM, please register here.

Other Upcoming Events

3D Print Club

Every Tuesday, 6 – 9 PM

Join us for 3D PRINT CLUB! Every week, we’ll get together and participate in an open design session. This event is all about self-directed learning and hanging out with other people working on 3D designs or prints. Bring your own laptop or make use of the (first come-first-serve) Makerspace laptops loaded with Fusion 360.

Bringing your own laptop to this event is strongly encouraged!

Register here.

Everlasting Forests: The Mount Sunapee Story

Wednesday, February 19th, 6:00 – 9:00 PM

The ancient forest at Mount Sunapee State Park is irreplaceable. It’s part of an exemplary natural community system—the only one of its type in New Hampshire. Learn about this enduring public forest and its ecological importance. This program from Friends of Mount Sunapee includes a PowerPoint presentation with discussion to follow. Hosted by the Sullivan County Conservation District.

This event is free, but registration is encouraged.

Register here.

The Color Wheel for Ages 8 – 12

Thursdays, February 20th – March 26th 3 – 5 PM

Ready to master color? In this six week after school program, students will use a variety of mediums to better understand the use of color in art. Over the course of the class students will use paint, clay, water colors to master primary, secondary and tertiary colors. Each week will focus on a new lesson and medium in which to make and take home completed projects.

Register here.

Advanced Laser Cutting

Saturday, February 22nd, 3 – 5 PM

In Advanced Laser Cutting participants that have taken Laser 101 and are certified on the laser cutter will learn and practice new skills to add to their laser cutting repertoire.  In the first hour, you’ll learn to use advanced features of the SpiritGLS Laser Cutter. We’ll start with advanced positioning from using the laser’s multiple position modes to using the built-in SmartCenter. We’ll then proceed to work with the rotary attachment and the challenges it presents.

Register here.

We’ve got even more classes/events on the calendar, so check out the full line up HERE.

Interested in teaching a class at CMS? We recently updated our site with information on how you can share your skills at CMS.

Questions about upcoming classes, events or the Claremont MakerSpace in general? Let us know at info@twinstatemakerspaces.org.

Happy Makin,’

The Claremont MakerSpace Team

Makers,

Twin State Innovation is holding its next monthly event on Tuesday, February 11th from 8-9am at the Claremont MakerSpace! This month will feature two exciting presenters, Claremont Spice & Dry Goods, and Polyculture Brewing Company. They will tell their story, share their vision, and discuss the challenges they face.

Twin State Innovation is a free monthly event to connect entrepreneurs with each other and their community, provide a space for them to tell their story, and help them collaboratively solve the challenges they face. Everyone that plays an important role in building entrepreneurship in the Claremont region is encouraged to attend!

Twin State Innovation occurs the second Tuesday of every month from 8 – 9 am. Registration and more information can be found here.

Other Upcoming Events

3D Print Club

Every Tuesday, 6 – 9 PM

Join us for 3D PRINT CLUB! Every week, we’ll get together and participate in an open design session. This event is all about self-directed learning and hanging out with other people working on 3D designs or prints. Bring your own laptop or make use of the (first come-first-serve) Makerspace laptops loaded with Fusion 360.

Bringing your own laptop to this event is strongly encouraged!

Register here.

Make A Silver Ring

Wednesday, February 12th, 5:30 – 8:30 PM

In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of silver-smithing while you make a simple silver ring! The instructor will guide you through various options for how to embellish your band, the shape of which you will get to choose.  You’ll try soldering and learn how to polish your finished product into a beautiful ring! No experience necessary. All materials will be provided, and $5 materials fee is included in the registration cost.

Register here.

Learn to Set A Simple Stone

Thursdays, February 13th & 20th 5 – 8pm (two-part)

In this beginner class you’ll be given a stone cabochon and silver sheet to create a bezel to set it in!  The instructor will guide you through creating a simple design, how to create your bezel, and finally how to turn it into either a simple pendant or add it to a silver ring if you’ve taken the ring class!  You’ll learn a fun and essential skill to jewelry making: how to set a stone!

*Want to turn your set stone into a ring?  Sign up for one of the ring classes earlier or in the month! Be sure to let the instructor know this is what you plan to do with your stone so you can plan your design accordingly!

Register here.

We’ve got even more classes/events on the calendar, so check out the full line up HERE.

Interested in teaching a class at CMS? We recently updated our site with information on how you can share your skills at CMS.

Questions about upcoming classes, events or the Claremont MakerSpace in general? Let us know at info@twinstatemakerspaces.org.

Happy Makin,’

The Claremont MakerSpace Team

Makers,

Art you interested in metal art? Join a group of like minded women who are experimenting with scrap and sheet metal to make art projects. The goal of the group is to learn from each other and have fun creating. CMS has a studio full of tools to cut, shape, bend and weld metal into your creation. 

We generally meet on Fridays at 10am to work on our projects. Come see what we are working on and consider a membership and join the fun!

No experience necessary, CMS offers classes in all you need to get started.

For more information, contact info@twinstatemakerspaces.org

Other Upcoming Events

Intro to Arduino

February 7th, 6 – 8:30 PM

This class is truly designed with the beginner in mind and serves as a great introduction to the world of physical computing! It is for anyone who has never played around with Arduino before and those who have played around a little bit but aren’t entirely sure about how the basics work. We’ll blink some lights, turn some motors, read some sensors and make a little noise. We’ll touch on some very basic programming and prototyping concepts as well!

12 and up. Under 12 are welcome with an adult partner or if they’ve been approved by the instructor.

Class fee includes one REXQualis Arduino UNO R3 Project Basic Starter Kit or a ELEGOO UNO Project Basic Starter Kit to take home after the class to continue making projects!

Laptops will be provided. Familiarity with Windows is strongly suggested. Non-members should bring a USB drive if they wish to save any work done in class. Please contact electronics@claremontmakerspace.org about the possibility of bringing your own laptop.

Register here.

Twin State Innovation

Tuesday, February 11th, 8 – 9 AM

Twin State Innovation is a monthly, entrepreneur-focused event designed to connect entrepreneurs with each other and their community. The event is free and open, everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of background or experience.

Entrepreneurs and small businesses often feel disconnected from each other and their communities. Twin State Innovation is about tac this challenge. The goal is to help spur a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting entrepreneurs – both established and aspiring – to each other and their local communities so they can receive support, develop their ideas, and collaboratively solve the problems they face.

During this event, two entrepreneurs will present for six minutes, followed by 15-20 minutes of questions from the audience. Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of their background or experience. The more community involvement and the greater the diversity of ideas the better!

Register here.

Make A Silver Ring

Wednesday, February 12th, 5:30 – 8:30 PM

In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of silver-smithing while you make a simple silver ring! The instructor will guide you through various options for how to embellish your band, the shape of which you will get to choose.  You’ll try soldering and learn how to polish your finished product into a beautiful ring! No experience necessary. All materials will be provided, and $5 materials fee is included in the registration cost.

Register here.

We’ve got even more classes/events on the calendar, so check out the full line up HERE.

Interested in teaching a class at CMS? We recently updated our site with information on how you can share your skills at CMS.

Questions about upcoming classes, events or the Claremont MakerSpace in general? Let us know at info@twinstatemakerspaces.org.

Happy Makin,’

The Claremont MakerSpace Team