Questions or trouble signing up for this class? Email ceramics@tcmaker.org.
This class will provide wood shop users with foundational skills in woodworking including planning, materials, marking, skills, and tool use.
Students will be introduced to the TC Maker wood shop mindset and safety expectations. Learn how to plan a successful project with a focus on construction methods and joinery. Select wood, measure and mill materials, and learn order of operations and assembly. Finally, we'll cover wood finishing including finish options and technique.
Each of the four sessions will last two hours and start with a lesson portion. If we have any extra time, the instructors can help answer questions and consult on projects.
The workbench, clamps, vices, measuring tools, squares, chisel, hand plane, bandsaw, table saw, jointer, planer, sanding station, and more.
Clothing suitable to the wood shop. Wear close-toed shoes and avoid loose, dangling clothing and accessories.
Eye and hearing protection is required. Dust masks and eye/ear protection are available to borrow but bringing your own is recommended.
Build a piece of design history while mastering the fundamentals of efficient, honest design using Enzo Mari’s Autoprogettazione from 1974.
In 1974, Italian designer Enzo Mari released Autoprogettazione, a project to teach ‘self-design’ through the process of making. In this three-session intensive, we will build the most iconic Sedia chair. You will learn to look past complex joinery and learn "design by making." This class is ideal for all makers of any skill level wanting to design what they build. Students are free to follow the plan or add more complex joinery. Lumber is not included with registration fee. An estimated material cost ranges from $80 to $100 for 4-5 1x6 select pine boards with a precise list provided to the students before class.
Confident use of a miter saw and drill is required.
(1) You will learn to interpret the Autoprogettazione drawings to create a cut list from standard dimensional lumber, (2) master efficient cross-cutting and assembly, and (3) explore the principles that make this "box-like" chair surprisingly comfortable. After this class, you will have completed a Sedia chair and gained a new perspective on how simple materials can be elevated into high-end design objects.
Up To 7 Days Before the Event Starts
Tim Bednar is an Assistant Wood Shop Manager at TC Maker and also teaches the Woodworking 101 class. After studying at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, he spent many years as a minister and then web developer before returning to furniture design and woodcraft.
*Please Note: Ignore the "Spaces Left" on this Event. It will always show Zero!
MUST BE A MEMBER OF TCMAKER!
Whether you are a brand new member of Twin Cities Maker, or have been a member for a really long time but haven't been in the shop for awhile, attending a new member orientation will get you up to speed on the policies, guidelines, and culture of Twin Cities Maker.
Signup, download a copy of our handbook, and come to session. During orientation you get to meet some new people, have all your questions answered, and get acquainted with Twin Cities Maker policies, guidelines, and culture.
Orientation lasts for about 1 hour with time after for questions and support for any issues.
After you have completed orientation you will receive your fob to access the facility, which will be activated once have paid all membership fees.
If you are going to be working in the woodshop be sure to sign up for woodshop orientation immediately following this class. Check our orientations calendar to register.
All New Members are required to Pre-Register for this Orientation.
If you cannot attend an in person orientation, please reach out to membership@tcmaker.org so that we can work out special arrangements.
Ceramics orientations are on hold until further notice as we complete our expansion project. This upgrade will allow us to welcome additional members into the studio.
Please direct any questions to: ceramics@tcmaker.org
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NOTE: *You must attend the general Twin Cities Maker Orientation ("New Member Orientation") in addition to our Ceramics Studio Orientation.*
Questions or trouble signing up for this orientation? Email ceramics@tcmaker.org
The general orientation will orient you with the makerspace as a whole, while our ceramics studio orientation will focus specifically on the processes and procedures in our shop. We recommend completing the general orientation before the ceramics orientation. You do not need to attend orientation before taking a class or workshop. However, orientation is a requirement to keep using the studio after a class or workshop ends.
Our ceramics orientation will cover:
Come prepared to ask questions and have fun!
- Your TCM Ceramics Managers
Wood Shop Orientation is a required orientation for all woodworkers.
During Orientation we will cover basic shop safety guidelines along with best practices that are necessary to use the wood shop at Twin Cities Maker!
https://wiki.tcmaker.org/en/shop_departments/wood_shop
Interested in printmaking? Learn the basics of relief printing by carving your own linoleum block and running an edition of your print!
Printmaking is a fun, relatively easy way to make art that you can mass produce yourself. Relief printmaking is one of the most common, accessible forms and is a great place to start if you are new to the medium. In this class we will be carving linoleum, a soft, Eco-friendly composite that is easy to carve. Together we will cover various techniques to make creating your design and carving it easier, as well as give you the tools and knowledge to keep making once this class is completed. To finish the class we will run an edition of your unique print in ink, so you will have multiple copies of your piece to keep, trade, or share!
Wear close-toed shoes. The maker space is a busy place and it is always good practice! Bring hair ties if needed and avoid loose jewelry and clothing. We will be working with sharp blades after all!
Hi! My name is Evie Redding. I am a recent graduate of Grinnell College where I got degrees in Studio Art and Anthropology. In art I specialize in ceramics and printmaking (keep an eye out for my upcoming ceramics classes!) and I do biological archaeology for anthro. For the past three years I worked at my school's maker space as the head of the Tech studio, and I recently moved to the Twin Cities to pursue opportunities in art. I live with my partner, our two cats, and my leopard gecko! I love to make art and learn new things, and I am always happy to answer any questions sent my way!
Add welding to your DIY skillset with this introductory course.
Learn the basics of MIG welding and walk away with your own small wall-mounted coat hanger. In this class you will learn a basic welding framework to use on your own projects at home or in the TC Maker shop. Safety, machine basics, gas choice and set-up, as well as basic tools will all be covered. For folks starting from zero knowledge to those who have welded in the past and would like to brush-up, this class emphasizes that everyone can be a welder and make their own project dreams come true. Class size is kept small to encourage participation and time with the instructor.
Bring a pair of welding gloves. Recommendations are ones that are thinner for dexterity. Examples are Black Stallion MIG gloves or Vulcan TIG gloves (both work for MIG welding).
Participants should be wearing close-toed shoes and clothing that is 100% cotton or wool. Jeans or similar material without holes are also recommended. No synthetic fibers. Improper attire may require participants to withdraw at time of class without refund. If you have questions regarding proper attire, please reach out to the instructor.
Up To 7 Days Before the Event Starts.
Cory Due is a local 539 pipefitter who focuses on service work and HVAC after earning a welding degree at MCTC and working in a fabrication shop and on the construction side of the pipefitters union. They have both a welding degree and HVAC degree and largely work on commercial systems. They enjoy teaching and making mechanical concepts more accessible to all. When they aren't teaching they're scheming about house projects, tending to their garden, or spending time with their family and menagerie of animals.
Late spring is the perfect time to be inspired by the beauty of Minnesota flowers through this ancient art form. Learn some basic stitches and strategies by an exploration of traditional flower embroidery techniques. These skills will then enable you to create numerous embroidered designs on old jeans, well-loved sweaters, pillow covers, and more.
Eva Adderley
Notes:
This class is run by Articulture and hosted at Twin Cities Maker.
Curious about 3D printing? Want to make organizers, replacement parts, cosplay props, custom brackets, mounts, prototypes, or just something fun you found online? This is your starting point.
No previous 3D printing experience needed. Just bring your curiosity.
No computer or smartphone to take the course? Just email 3D@tcmaker.org and we will make it work.
In this hands-on session, we will walk through how the 3D lab works, go over shared space guidelines, and guide you step-by-step through printing on our Bambu Lab 3D printers. Bring an STL file if you have one you are excited about, or use one of ours. If your print does not finish during class, you can pick it up later. Filament for training prints is provided.
By the end, you will be officially checked off and ready to use the Bambu Lab printers on your own.
Open to both members and non-members. If you have printed before, you are still welcome to join. You can also email us about scheduling a quick 30-minute check-off session.
Want to go further? After this class, members can take intermediate training to unlock our Bambu X1C with AMS. We also run a monthly resin class for the Anycubic resin 3D printers. 3D scanner training for the Creality Raptor Pro is available upon request.
If the class is full, reach out and we will schedule a 1:1 session based on availability.
Got any questions or need assistance? Email us at 3D@tcmaker.org and we are happy to help.
We cannot wait to see what you make. Happy making!
9 sessions across 3 summer months
Intermediate level
Prerequisite: Wheel Throwing 101 or equivalent experience
Summer is the perfect time to slow down, go deeper, and let your practice breathe. This three-part series is designed for makers who have the basics under their belt and are ready to push their forms further (without the pressure of a back-to-back weekly commitment).
Spread across three focused 3-week sessions with intentional breaks in between, this class gives you time to make, reflect, experiment on your own, and come back ready for the next challenge. Each module session builds on the last, so by the end of the summer you'll have a cohesive body of work and a noticeably expanded throwing vocabulary.
Session 1: Going Bigger We start by stretching your ambitions and your clay. Our focus will be on throwing larger, more complex forms: taller vessels, wider openings, closed vessels, and pieces that require more control, patience, and planning. Expect hands-on demos, individual feedback, and a honest look at where your technique wants to grow.
Session 2: Lidded Forms One of the most satisfying and technically demanding areas of wheel throwing, lidded forms ask you to think about fit, proportion, and function all at once. We'll explore different lid styles and how the relationship between vessel and lid defines the whole piece.
Session 3: Dinnerware & Beyond The final module takes on the dinner table — plates, bowls, and the forms that make a set feel intentional. We'll also explore what happens when the wheel is just the beginning: altering thrown forms off the wheel and integrating hand-building techniques to push your work into new territory. We'll close the summer with time dedicated to surface decoration and glazing, so your pieces feel as considered on the outside as they are on the inside.
The breaks between modules are part of the class. Use that time to keep making on your own, let pieces dry and get fired, and arrive at the next module with fresh eyes.
This class is for you if you've completed Wheel Throwing 101 or have equivalent studio experience and are ready to work with more intention and less hand-holding in the best possible way.
Instructor: Paola Evangelista is a ceramic artist and educator with 15 years of experience working across functional ware, sculptural installation, and everything in between. Her classes are a space to build real skill while asking bigger questions about what we make and why.
NOTE: This event is open to studio members and non-studio members alike.
Questions or trouble signing up? Email ceramics@tcmaker.org
Become a steward of the ceramics studio! Help us foster an environment of collective care as we clean the studio, maintain tools, and complete studio improvements. We are all volunteers, and appreciate your time and effort to maintain the space we love.
Get oriented to use our space for blacksmithing! After this event, you'll be all set to turn on the forges by yourself and work independently.
After this class you'll have a general understanding of how to operate the screen printing equipment along with the basic principles of screen printing.
Besides learning about the screen printing equipment, you'll learn about shop policies & safety, practical applications of screen printing, how to chose a good image for screen printing, and acceptable surfaces that will screen print well.
Rick Strohmeyer has been a long time member of Twin Cities Maker. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arets in printmaking, he has enjoyed sharing his knowledge he has learned while being a a print-maker, painter and general designer.
Solstice in Clay: A Ritual Workshop
Date: Sunday, June 21st, 2026
Time: 10am - 2pm
The longest day of the year deserves to be felt in the body.
On this solstice morning, together we will was to the Mississippi river gorge to White Sand Beach. We gather around the earth elements (water, earth, fire, air) to mark the turning of the light with our hands. This is not a production class. There is no pressure to make something perfect or even finished. This is an invitation to slow all the way down, to let the clay be a mirror for the season, and to make something with intention on a day that asks us to pay attention.
We'll begin with a grounding and a moment of intention-setting before our hands ever touch the clay. From there, participants will be guided through slow, meditative hand-building like pinch forms, small vessels, impression work using plants, seeds, found objects from nature — pieces that can serve as altar objects, offerings, or simply as a record of this particular day in your hands.
There will be time for stillness. There will be tea. There will be a break for lunch. There will be moments of quiet and reflection which the work with the hands offers back to us.
No ceramics experience is required. Come as you are, bring what this season holds for you, and leave with something made on the longest day of the year.
Paola Evangelista and Lindsay Dapp Kern will guide you through the meditative possibilities of clay. Together, we will hold space for curiosity, play, and a quiet return to yourself, to nature, and to community.
For beginners, intermediate or advanced level ceramic experience. All materials and tools provided. Finished pieces will be bisque fired, glazed, and available for pickup. This class includes a short 10 minute walk, bring a water bottle and comfortable shoes.
This class is centered around the potter's wheel. Students will understand the basic tools and materials as well as proper studio safety and clean-up practices. Students will learn to prepare clay for throwing, center the clay on the wheel, open and pull clay walls, and create basic forms like cylinders and bowls. Finally, students will learn how to refine and trim forms, apply surface decoration and glaze, and understand the process of bisque and glaze firing.
The skills acquired in this class will the the foundation on which you can keep building with more advanced classes and/or open studio time.
Come ready to get messy. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty; don't worry about clay on your clothes - it washes right off! Most importantly, come ready to have fun!
This class is taught by Paola Evangelista. Artist and educator, born in Peru and based in the Twin Cities since 2019. Read more at www.paolaevangelista.com
Renew your style with colors that are drawn straight from nature. This workshop is an intro to the use of plant-based dyes, which can be a fun way to breathe new life into old fabrics. You’ll learn the process of extracting pigments and the essential steps of “fixing” dyes for permanency. By experimenting with how natural textiles soak up organic dyes. You’ll leave with knowledge of how to transform natural fibers into beautiful colors using eco-friendly botanicals.
Note:
Orientation will be a half-hour session covering space changes, equipment and material locations, donations, cleanliness protocols, and safety procedures for new members and those who haven't been down to the Artifactory in a while.
Make & Take - Create your own handheld gaming console powered by an Arduino. By the end of this beginner class you'll have your own console!
Ever wonder how your phone or game console works inside? Are you interested in learning more about computers or video games but don't know where to start? This class was made for you!
This class takes a hardware-first approach to introducing what is going on inside of your electronic devices. Starting out with basics of connecting a small electronic circuit to a battery, and then diving right into how to connect an OLED screen and a controller you wire together yourself to a pre-programmed tiny computer. The class is taught using breadboards for wiring everything together, which doesn't require any soldering knowledge to use.
After this Make and Take Class you will walk out of the class having wired together your very own small gaming system running an open-source video game!
Complete beginners are welcome and encouraged to attend, for those with experience we'll provide some supplemental challenges for those with programming or electronics experience.
Jason Altekruse is a professional software engineer with a hobby interest in both hardware hacking and video game programming. He has built websites, databases and video games in a variety of programming languages for a variety of platforms. He created an open source website aimed at helping math teachers and students called freemathapp.org
Come learn about the jewelry bench! We have tools to support fabrication workflows as well as casting (red sand and investment casting). The instructor's subject area is silversmithing, but all interest areas are welcomed as we seek to expand our jewelry-making offerings.
In this orientation, you will learn each tool's role in the jewelry-making process, from cutting and forming to soldering and polishing. This department is distinct from the Lapidary department, but the skills go hand-in-hand!
Measuring and Marking
Forming
Cutting and Reducing
Joining
Polishing
Various Jigs and Miscellaneous
We will end by discussing what's next for the jewelry department, how to get involved, and where to find resources for learning more.
Happy making! ~Abby
Learn enough metalworking to double your project list!
Curious about how to begin your metalworking journey? Have a project idea that you'd like to use metal in? Join us as we explore how to MIG weld, braze, solder, use hand tools, angle grinders, and cover the shear, drill press, and box and pan brake tools in the shop. Feel more confident using the space safely, add more skills to your tool belt, and walk away with a small completed class project. Participants are encouraged to bring in their own project ideas but not required.
Class One: We'll start with the basics—safety, handy tools to use and how to use them, thinking about fabrication layout, and
Class Two: Our second class will go over how to use the oxy-acetylene torch and plasma cutter. We'll also go over the shear, drill press, and horizontal bandsaw as we begin our class project.
Class Three: We'll learn howuse an angle grinder. We'll use the box and pan brake, small hand tools in the metal shop, and finish our small shop project. We'll also cover some basic finishing techniques.
Class Four: Class four is an open work class. Participants can come and work on their individual project with support from the instructor.
Suited to beginners but all levels welcome.
MIG Welding, Oxy-Acetylene, plasma cutting, angle grinder, shear, drill press, bandsaw.
Cory Due is a local 539 pipefitter who focuses on service work and HVAC. They have both a welding degree and HVAC degree and largely work on commercial systems. They enjoy teaching and making welding less intimidating. When they aren't teaching they're scheming about house projects, tending to their garden, or spending time with their family and menagerie of animals.
Create real silver jewelry using metal clay, a unique and flexible medium that becomes pure silver when kiln-fired. Use provided molds, surface patterns, and textures to design jewelry that is striking and original. Students will learn basic metal clay techniques to complete 3 to 4 silver pieces such as earrings, pendants, and charms that are truly unique!
Laura Juul
First day is mandatory.
Get started welding! In this class, students will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with TIG welding with steel and stainless steel. Subjects covered will include setting up the machines, material selection, safety, technique, and what makes a quality weld.
No prior experience necessary!
Patrick Grace has 8 years of MIG/TIG welding experience and is certified in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. They have worked for mass production companies as well as on military ships and submarines.
Title: Cast it in Clay: Intro to Slip Casting & Mold Making
Dates: Sundays, August 2, 9, and 16
Time: 10 am - 4 pm (lunch break 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm)
Minimum enrollment: 4
Maximum Enrollment: 8
Material Fee: $45
Registration: $150 (standard member rate)*
Total amount charged to each student for the full 3-week series (12 total contact hours), including materials: $195 (standard member rate)*
*Enrollment rates vary based on accessibility needs, whether participants are members or non-members, and a 10% discount for our volunteers. See registration panel for details.
Session 1 (August 2)
Welcome & Overview
Casting into an existing mold (instructor demonstration, followed by hands-on practice)
Discussion & takeaways
Planning your mold
homework: find or create an object to bring with you to class August 9 for making your own mold
Session 2 (August 9)
Make your mold (instructor demonstrations followed by hands-on practice)
Clay up and cottle
Mix and pour plaster
(lunch break)
Making the second half of your mold
Session 3 (August 16)
Casting with your mold
Instructor will check in with each student, review slip-pouring, and troubleshoot if there are issues with student-made molds.
Your successful cast pieces will be bisque fired at our studio. For glazing guidance, sign up for the August 23 Glazing Basics Workshop ($15 member rate).
This workshop will explore the art of block printing, one of the more accessible of printing styles. Students will start out by planning their image idea, and then learn basic carving and inking techniques in prep of the final process of printing their block. A small edition of original numbered fine art prints will be run. If time permits, participants can take another step to dive into reductive printmaking, by additional carving away parts of the original block, to then add another layer with a different ink color. The possibilities of this unique art form are truly endless!