Category: event

Community consultation open event and survey

Saturday 31st August 2024, 12-1pm

At Machspace we are soon to be applying for funding so that we can employ some staff to keep Machspace running.

For this, we need to gather some updated data about the need for the space in Machynlleth from members and non-members who live in the local area. If you appreciate Machspace and would like to see it continue, please take 10 minutes to fill out this Makerspace survey.

It will be super supportive for us! Thanks so much. The survey will close on September 1st.

Facebook event: click here

Event: Open day, theme monotype with gel plates

Saturday 6th July 2024, 12-2pm

Tomi will show us how to print colourful papers with patterns on gel plates, then assemble them into a collage picture. It’s pay-as-you-feel, so anyone can attend regardless of income, and donations are very welcome. There will also be pay-as-you-feel refreshments.

As it’s an open day, Machspace will be open to the public, and we invite you to read our open day rules before attending.

See you there! 🙂

Facebook event: Click here

Event: Open day, theme mask-making

Saturday 20th July 2024, 12-2pm

Pat will show us how to assemble these fun carnival masks in various designs, and then you can decorate them using art supplies from Machspace. If you have any decorations you’d like to use, please do bring them along!

As it’s an open day, Machspace will be open to the public, and we invite you to read our open day rules before attending.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🙂

Facebook event: Click here

Event: Open day, theme lino-printing

Saturday 22nd June 2024, 12-2pm

This open day will be led by Pat, who has experience with a similar community workshop focused on printing. She’ll teach us how to cut a design into a small square of lino, and then print it onto paper. You’ll also have the option of turning your print into a badge with our badge maker.

As it’s an open day, Machspace will be open to the public, and we invite you to read our open day rules before attending.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🙂

Facebook event: Click here

Open event: T-shirt bleach-stenciling

Saturday 25th May 2024, 12-2pm

Hosted by Avery and Cassian. Bring 100% cotton t-shirts new and old that you’d like to enhance with a DIY industrial aesthetic. It’s very simple and easy and fast! You can use some nerdy stencils pre-made by Avery, you can cut stencils yourself in cardboard, and if it’s not too busy we might be able to help you make a more detailed, reusable stencil from plywood with the laser cutter.

You will need to bring:

  • Any clothing that you would like to try bleach-stencilling, must be over 95% cotton.
  • Designs that you would like to turn into stencils – PNG or SVG files for laser cutting, printed or drawn onto paper for cardboard stencils.
  • A corrugated cardboard box, with as little ink printing on it as possible.
  • A face mask, if you are sensitive to strong smells.

We will provide:

  • Rubber gloves
  • Bleach spray
  • Sharp craft knives for cutting stencils

Warnings:

  • Your fabric must be >95% cotton, or the bleaching won’t work well/at all!
  • This craft uses bleach, and there will be strong bleach smells throughout. We will be ventilating the space by opening the front and back door to encourage air flow, but the air will still be quite bleachy. You might have a better time wearing a really good face mask, if you’re sensitive to that kind of thing.
  • The bleach may land on your clothes and cause discolouration that can’t be undone. Wear clothes that you don’t care about that much.
  • We will be using sharp craft knives. We’ve got first aid supplies and plasters just in case.

As it’s an open day, Machspace will be open to the public and free to attend. We invite you to read our open day rules before attending.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🙂

Facebook event: Click here

Open day: knitting

Our first open day of 2024 is on Saturday 6th January, 12-2pm – and as you can see, this time we’ve picked a theme. Avery and Cassian will be hosting, and they knitted all the items above. They can help you get started, and they can probably help you with knitting pattern questions or advice with mistakes, too.

It’s a drop-in for members and non-members (ages 11+), so feel free to pop by anytime between noon and 2pm. If you’re into the theme you can bring your own knitting project(s), or learn the basics from Cas and Avery. Machspace has a stash of donated yarns and a collection of knitting needles, or you can bring things with you. And you’re very welcome to bring anything else to make instead, or just come to hang out and drink tea and eat leftover mince pies.

Please be aware that you can take yarn away with you afterwards, but you won’t be able to take Machspace knitting needles with you. (We recommend checking out the local charity shops, who often have a good supply of knitting needles for cheap, but they usually keep them behind the counter and you have to ask at the till to have a rummage.)

Event: Winter Holiday Open Day

Wednesday 20th December 2023

6pm – 9pm (drop-in, open day)

This open day is a little longer than usual, because of the festive season!

We’ll have mince pies, hot beverages, and spiced berry cordial (hot or cold). You’re invited to bring sweet and savoury snacks to share, and festive crafts to work on together. Tell us in advance if you have any dietary requirements, so we can make sure there’s stuff you can eat and drink.

With any luck we’ll have been organised enough to get some decorations up! Any members who would like to mastermind any decorating sessions are invited to email us: hello AT machspace DOT org

Who can come?

  • Any adult (18+), regardless of whether or not you’re a member.
  • People aged 11-17, accompanied by one responsible adult each.
  • Assistance animals, provided they can sit quietly beside their human throughout the visit.

It’s free to attend, and food and drinks are free – donations welcome but not required.

Event: T-shirt stencil-bleaching

Sunday 3rd December 2023

11am – 1pm (drop-in, members and guests only)

Facebook event here.

Here’s what it looks like:

You should bring (if you can):

  • A cardboard box
  • A newspaper
  • A pair of rubber gloves
  • Any t-shirts, clothing or other fabric (non-white, containing natural fibres) that you’d like to enhance
  • Warm clothing – we’ll have the front door wide open for ventilation

What we’ll do together:

Avery will walk us through the process of designing a stencil, cutting it out, preparing the t-shirt and stencil, and spraying the bleach onto the t-shirt. Different dyes and fabrics react differently, so Avery can also share his advice and experience about that.

Dress warmly, because it’ll be cold in the space! Bring a good face mask if you’re not into the smell of bleach. If you already have stencils you want to try out for this (or share with others), feel free to bring them along!

Any natural-fibre fabric will work, but maybe bring a t-shirt that you don’t mind destroying, because as with pancakes and any other craft, the first one is always rubbish.

Who can come?

This is a members-and-guests event. That means if you want to come, you need to be a member already, or be the one guest of an existing member. Guests must be 11 or older. If you want to become a member by Sunday, email us ASAP – we can accommodate that! hello AT machspace DOT org

It’s not a private event, so the space will remain open to members and guests who want to do other activities, but please be aware that it will probably smell very bleachy in there and it might be a bit cold.

It’s free to attend, and it’s free to become a member.