At Ace Makerspace we are always evolving our class and workshop offerings. Our focus is on inclusion, practicality, and fun. While some classes are evergreen and can always be found on our calendars, others are hosted by request. Information on how to request a class is in the class descriptions.
*All minors need to be accompanied by an adult student or participant. Please refer to our guest policy for more information.
We offer three main types of education.
3D Printing Night and Certification. Bring your projects and designs to troubleshoot and show n’ tell with folks who are also on 3D printing adventures. This hands-on workshop covers a wide range of learning opportunities including certification training, overview of how 3D printers work, finding and designing objects to print (STL files), and an opportunity to print your own object.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: All
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 10+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $8 Suggested Donation
Alcohol Ink Paintings on Wood. Create vivid, amazing art with alcohol-based inks on laser-etched wood panels! We post the designs for laser-etched panels ahead of time so you can select the one you like best. Adult coloring book…but wood.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $8 Suggested Donation/No one turned away for lack of funds
Cement Casting. Explore a variety of cement casting, sealing, and decorating techniques using quick-dry cement. Gain familiarity working with different kinds of molds, including how to make your own, as you create a unique set of coasters and a planter.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 4 Hours
- Age: 14+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $65
Friday Night Art. Everyone’s got an inner artist, yes, everyone! Sit back, relax, bring a snack to share, as we explore a new project each month like pot painting, water coloring, zine making, and more.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $8 suggested donation
UV Resin Jewelry. Make custom UV resin jewelry while exploring a variety of techniques, including casting, molds, and more. We provide a large selection of vibrant mica pigments, sparkly add-ins, foils, and flowers to work with. Hot tip, you can bring photos from home and/or other bric-a-brac to add even more personality to your pieces. Get inspired!
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 14 +
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $55
Leather and Lasers Art Workshop. Harness the power of lasers to cut patches, bracelets, earrings, cozies, or other neat items in a guided afternoon of laser art. Participants will select 3 items from pre-set options; cut their items on the laser cutter; and finally prepare them for finishing with hardware such as snaps, ear wires, and rivets.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 3.5 Hours
- Age: 14+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $55
Electronics Night. Join other Ace Members in our well-appointed electronics lab for a hosted, free-style night of electronics exploration and tinkering. Folks are invited to bring their own projects, work on repairs, or try out one of our fun project kits. We also often have themes or special guests, so come with questions and an open mind.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: All
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 10 +
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $8 Suggested Donation
Tiny Brush Robot Workshop. Build a Tiny Brush Robot fit for battle while learning about basic electrical circuitry. Students will get hands-on experience working with resistors, batteries, LEDs, and motors. Once built, give your bot a hardcore name and put it in the ring for a Tiny Brush Robot race or battle.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: All
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 8+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $12
Laser Basics and Certification. Learn the basics of safe laser operation. This certification course combines a lecture with a hands-on demonstration. You will leave with your very own stylish laser-cut name tag and the knowledge you need to take your certification exam.
- Class Type: Access
- Class Level: All
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 14+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $55
Laser Open Lab. Each open lab explores a central laser theme, but bring any questions you may have. Hosts will provide a theme-specific demonstration, answer questions, and provide technical help for folks who bring their own projects. Past topics have included “Focus on Focus,” “Acrylic Finesse,” “Fabric Fundamentals,” and “Settings from Scratch.” Let us know what topics you’re interested in learning!
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: All
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 16+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $8 Suggested Donation
Laser Cut Custom Holiday Ornaments. Customize festive, seasonal, laser cut ornaments made from gorgeous solid woods such as maple, cherry, or walnut from Ocooch Hardwoods. Personalize flat and 3D base designs for laser-cutting with names, dates, or other text/images. Once cut, add flare to your ornaments with glue, paint, dye, and even resin!
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 4 Hours
- Age: 12+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $45
Laser Cut Custom Holiday Cards. Customize and create wonderful seasonal cards in this 3-hour workshop. We will be using a variety of laser-friendly art papers to complete your cards. Once your cards are cut we have a full station set up for adding embellishments to your cards complete with art markers, and more.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 12+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $25
Metal Shop Basics and Certification. Get certified to use the heavy machinery in the metal shop including the drill press and horizontal bandsaws. Learn how to work with small benchtop tools such as shears, pop riveters, and grinders. We will also discuss differences in material hardness for commonly used metals and provide an overview of metric and imperial/SAE tolerances.
- Class Type: Access
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 16+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $55
Metal Lathe Basics and Certification. Safety is so metal! Learn the core principals of safe metal lathe operation: securing and mounting techniques, how to approach your project from different faces/directions, and how to identify potential issues at various stages of the process.
- Class Type: Access
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $65
CNC Metal Mill Certification. Get hands-on experience while learning the fundamentals of running the Ace CNC Metal Mill. First, students get familiar with Fusion 360 Software* basics while practicing modeling and exporting tool-paths. Then, everyone will have the opportunity to mill an aluminum eyeball. At the end, everyone will have gone through most of the steps required to cut something on the CNC Metal Mill.
*Students will need to bring a laptop with Fusion 360 Software installed (free for hobbyists).
- Class Type: Access
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 4
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $120
Boundaries for Better Living. Navigating boundaries can be tricky especially when sharing space, resources, and power with others. In this workshop, we will build boundary setting-skills, gain a greater understanding of different ways people express boundaries, and explore the cultural dynamics at play when we say “no” and hear “no.”
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
Micro-inclusions for Leaders. How can leaders create truly inclusive spaces? Start by learning how to practice positive accountability, cultural humility, and direct micro-inclusions in this workshop.
- Class Type: Exposure Based
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
De-escalation with Community Integrity. This workshop is dedicated to giving you the tools needed to de-escalate tension without giving up the integrity of your community agreements. When emotions are heightened, it can be difficult to manage the situation effectively and calmly. Build de-escalation skills as we examine our own reactions to conflict and gain a greater understanding of the tools needed to navigate these situations.
- Class Type: Exposure Based
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
Anti-Racist Training for Makers: Schema of Makers. Who defines what a “real” maker is? We will unpack different maker identities and their influence on how our makerspace community has evolved. This workshop will explore both what the identity of makers has been as well as explore what it could and should be.
- Class Type: Exposure Based
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 1.5 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
Anti-Racist Training for Makers: Maker Say What. Description
- Class Type: Exposure Based
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 1.5 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
Anti-Racist Training for Makers: Taking Care of the New Maker. Getting started in a new space can be intimidating, especially when jargon is used as a shorthand to communicate intelligence and experience. When language is conflated with belonging, it can result in feelings of exclusion and alienation especially for newbies. Learn about how the language we use to communicate maker knowledge interacts with race and explore how to support new members in our community.
- Class Type: Exposure Based
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 1.5 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
Anti-Racist Training for Makers: You’re too comfortable, managing privilege. Description
- Class Type: Exposure Based
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 1.5 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
Illustrator for Laser Cutting (Virtual). Learn how to use Adobe Illustrator to translate your designs and prepare your files for laser etching and cutting. This course covers raster vs. vector art and how they burn, creating .DXF and .SVG files, best practices for file prep, common issues and troubleshooting, illustrator tools for expedited design, and ways to learn more.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Intermediate/Advanced
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 16+
- Prerequisites: Basic understanding of Adobe Illustrator
- Fee: $20
Design Fundamentals for Laser Cutting. Explore intermediate techniques for creating high-quality, laser-ready files. This course will cover the differences in burning raster vs. vector art, how to create .DXF and .SVG files, best practices for file prep, troubleshooting common issues, working with typography, and other great tips.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Intermediate
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: Basic understanding of Adobe Illustrator
- Fee: TBD
Fusion 360° Meetup. Join us for this casual gathering of people interested in Autodesk’s Fusion 360. Fusion is a full-featured CAD CAM software that’s cross-platform and useful on our Laser cutters, CNC’s, and 3D Printers, as well as just being a popular design tool. There are free versions too.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner to Expert
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 16+ with adult
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: Free
Ace Makerspace Wiki / Asana Training (virtual). This event is for Ace Makerspace community members seeking to learn how to contribute to the Ace Makerspace Wiki, collaborate to create content, and engage in project management via Asana.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner to Expert
- Class Length: 1 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: Free
Sewing and Textiles Open Lab. Join us for an evening devoted to all textile and sewing crafts. Bring your projects, your ideas, or get inspired here. This open lab is a great way to meet others, share skills, and of course, make cool stuff! Open labs are also a great opportunity to try out one of our fun project kits with instructions you can follow. Our hosts are present to help out when things get tricky or to answer questions but won’t be able to provide 1:1 lessons.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: All
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 15+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $10 Suggested Donation/No one turned away for lack of funds
Sewing 101 Bootcamp. This immersive sewing bootcamp is perfect for beginners seeking basic hand and machine sewing skills. Participants will learn how to operate a sewing machine and gain hands-on experience while completing fun projects.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 4 Hours
- Age: 13+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $55
Shotgun Silkscreening. Go from sketch to shirt while learning about the screen printing process. In this class we will create digital designs, laser-cut mylar stencils, build screens, and finally print some awesome shirts! Students can choose from our eclectic stock of blanks or are welcome to bring their own garments.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 4 Hours
- Age: 14+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $65
Box-Bottom Tote Bag Workshop. Learn to sew while making your own fabulous box-bottom tote. This project-based workshop will walk participants through fundamental sewing techniques such as measuring and cutting, working with interfacing, and using a sewing machine. Leave with new skills, new friends, and a bag you can take anywhere!
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 4 Hours
- Age: 13+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
Custom Messenger Bag Workshop. Design your own messenger bag from scratch. Students will design the bag, draft the pattern and construct their custom bags. Learn how to add the features you want like pockets, custom straps, and sections. We provide the hardware and know-how, students provide the fabric of their choice! The shopping list and coupon code are provided ahead of time.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Intermediate
- Class Length: 4 part class (Mix of Virtual and Live), 10 Hours Total
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
Nuno Silk Felting Workshop. Come learn how to felt wool to silk organza to create wall hangings, scarves, and/or wraps. Felt is extremely versatile and requires no special finishing so experiment, innovate, and explore different textures and patterns.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 12+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $70
Holiday PJ Pants Workshop. Make a copy of your favorite pajama pants at this seasonal workshop. Great for beginner and experienced sewers alike, you will go home with a pair of festive PJ pants and the skills to make more for everyone in your crew!
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 4 Hours
- Age: 14+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
Ice Dying Workshop. Learn all about ice dying techniques as you use fiber-reactive dyes and ice to create watercolor-like designs on fabric or clothing at this super chill workshop!
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Intermediate
- Class Length: 4 Hours
- Age: 16+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $65
Heavy Duty Sewing Machine Basics. Level up your sewing abilities and learn how to operate the heady-duty walking foot machines at Ace safely. These machines effortlessly sew through leather, many layers of denim, faux fur, and outdoor nylon.
- Class Type: Access
- Class Level: Intermediate Sewing
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: Basic sewing machine competency and confidence
- Fee: $25
Learn to Sew. Learn hand and machine sewing basics!
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 16+ with adult
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $45
Serger Basics. Level up your sewing skills with this class on using a Serger (aka Overlock) sewing machine. This class covers all the basics of using this fun but complex sewing machine.
- Class Type: Access
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: Basic sewing machine competency and confidence
- Fee: $40
Textile and Hardware Setting Basics. Grommets, rivets, and snaps can elevate any leather or textile project. In this hands-on certification course, learn all about how to choose the appropriate hardware for your project, use heavy setting hardware equipment correctly, and how to work with specialty dies. Folks will learn all this stuff while making several small projects.
- Class Type: Access
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 1.5 Hours
- Age: 16+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $15
Visible Mending. Turn tears and stains into art while reviving your clothing and fabric goods. Learn techniques specific to your mending project and create your own “visible mending kit.”
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner to Expert
- Class Length: 4 Hours
- Age: 14+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $35
Shop Basics. Your Workshop experience at Ace Makerspace starts here! First, get up to speed on shop etiquette and learn the in’s and out’s of sharing tools and space at Ace Makerspace. All shop users are required to take this class to use the Ace Workshop and Metal Shops.
- Level: Beginner to Expert
- Timing: 1 hour
- Location: Ace Workshop Suite #214
- Prerequisites: None
- Certification: Ace Shop Basics (required to use the Ace Shops)
- Age: 14+
Large CNC Router (Wood) Training and Certification. Explore the key principles of safe CNC Router operation in the Ace Shop. Learn about how the CNC works, changing bits, safe materials for cutting, securing your project, basic file setup, and best practices. Students will leave with the information they need to operate the machine and pass the certification knowledge check.
- Level: Beginner
- Timing: 4 hours
- Location: Classroom portion in suite 206 (Coworking/Textiles) or 214 (Clean Fabrication)
- Prerequisites: Ace Shop Basics
- Certification: CNC Router Certification (level 1)
- Age: 18+
Wood Lathe Basics and Certification. Learn the basics of safe (wood) lathe operation in this certification workshop. You’ll learn how to secure wood and operate a lathe. You’ll learn about different lathe tools and how to work with lathe tools to shape wood. You’ll have an extended chance to use the lathe yourself under supervision.
- Class Type: Access
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $80
Solid Wood Cutting Board. Transform a piece of raw hardwood into a lovely finished cutting board in this great-for-beginners workshop! You will gain familiarity with a variety of woodworking tools as you cut, shape, sand, and finish your very own handcrafted cutting board.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 14 +
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $55
Solid Wood Candle Holder. Light up your life as you create your own modern candle holder or menorah! In this workshop students will be guided through drilling candle wells on the drill press, using the laser cutter for etching embellishments, and finishing their pieces.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 14+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
Magnetic Knife Holder. Create a great gift or piece for your home from Zebra, Mahogany, or Maple in this guided workshop. This is a great opportunity for beginners to gain experience using the drill press, palm routers, miter saw, and sanders while completing a super useful and polished kitchen accessory.
- Class Type: Access
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 4.5 Hours
- Age: 16+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $85
Reclaimed Wood Table Top. Use gorgeous reclaimed Peroba Rosa barn wood to create a small tabletop in this 2 part workshop. Day one, select your wood and put together the glue-up for your tabletop. Day two, sand, route, and trim your custom table top to size and explore a variety of finishing ideas.
- Class Type: Experience
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 2 Days, 6 Hours Total
- Age: 16+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: TBD
Multi-Wood Cutting Board. Combine a variety of woods in unique ways to craft your own multi-wood cutting board. In this two-part workshop participants will learn all about wood properties and get hands-on experience with a variety of workshop tools such as the drill press, bandsaw, miter saw, and a variety of sanding tools. Students pick out and purchase their own wood from a selection provided allowing them creative freedom with size and composition.
- Class Type: Experience
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 2 Days, 6 Hours Total
- Age: 14+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $100
Bee House Build. Build an awesome shelter for mason bees. Not only will it help the pollinators in your garden, but it will look darn cute! Participants will watch a demo of the CNC router and how the parts were made for the bee house. Then, folks will use a variety of workshop tools such as miter saws, table saws, palm sanders, and the drill press to create their very own bee-houses.
- Class Type: Exposure
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 4 Hours
- Age: 14+
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $60
Woodworking Tools Maintenance Skills. Learn how to care for your favorite woodworking tools in the Ace Shop and become an even more knowledgeable tool user! Unpack Ace’s tool repair and maintenance policies, and then roll up your sleeves to learn how to inspect and perform maintenance on essential workshop equipment like the Table Saw and Planer!
- Class Type: Access Based
- Class Level: Intermediate
- Class Length: 1 Hours
- Age: 18+
- Prerequisites: None
- Certification: Maintenance Certification
- Fee: $18
Tool Sharpening and Care. Explore the anatomy of a sharp tool edge, learn how to set up a grinding wheel, and practice honing a variety of workshop gouges and blades. Sharper tools are safer tools and learning how to properly care for them will give your woodworking game an edge.
- Class Type: Access Based
- Class Level: Beginner
- Class Length: 2 Hours
- Age: 14+ with parent or guardian also taking the workshop
- Prerequisites: None
- Certification: Tool Sharpening
- Fee: $70
Jointer, Planer, and Tablesaw Basics. Learn the core principles of using the Jointer, Planer, and Tablesaw in the shared Ace Workshop. With these essential woodworking tools you’ll be able to prep clean edges, achieve smooth surfaces, and make precision cuts!
- Class Type: Access
- Class Level: Beginner/Intermediate/Expert
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 16+
- Corequisites: Shop Basics and Certification
- Certifications: Jointer, Planer, and Tablesaw
- Fee: $65
Bandsaw, Drill Press, and Panel Saw Basics. Learn the core principles of using the Bandsaw, Drill Press, and Panel Saw in the shared Ace Workshop. With these essential woodworking tools, you’ll be able to cut curves, drill precision holes, and break down plywood sheets quickly and accurately!
- Class Type: Access
- Class Level: Beginner/Intermediate/Expert
- Class Length: 3 Hours
- Age: 16+
- Corequisites: Shop Basics and Certification
- Fee: $70
Tracksaw, Portaband, and Nail Gun Basics. Learn how to safely operate 3 specialty woodworking tools; Tracksaw, Portaband, and Finish Nailer. These tools are great for a wide range of projects from a simple spice rack to a full-size dining table. All materials provided.
- Level: Beginner
- Timing: 3-Hours
- Location: Room 214, Workshop
- Certification: Certification for the Portaband, Tracksaw, and Finish Nailer
- Age: 16+
ACE volunteer and contract instructors offer a lot of classes. Not all of them might be on the calendar. Both volunteers and contract teachers need a minimum number of students for a class or workshop to be sustainable. That is why most classes are scheduled based in interest.
If you are interested in a class (see list) that is not on the schedule there is a path to getting the class on the calendar. Do the logistics work for the instructor. This is how:
- Find at least 3 people including your self who want the class. (tips and ettiquet for posting on Slack)
- Work among yourself to work out 3 dates all three of you can make.
- Post on the relevant slack channel asking for an instructor! Include the dates you can all make.
We have yet to see this method fail in getting a class scheduled.