Makerspace fun!

Makerspace

Come join us for crafts and creativity. We have machines and supplies that you can pick up and play with or ask our stand by teachers and volunteers for a tutorial or tips to get to the next level. You can make your own projects and take them home with you!

Free Play (Eastern Shore 2 – Middle doors ):

Try a new craft, learn new skills for your favorite craft, or just relax and make some friends around the table in our Free Play area. We have tools and materials for a variety of different crafts available to work on free of charge. If you need help getting started, one of our red-aproned volunteers would be happy to help!

  • Friendship Bracelets
  • Papercraft
  • Perler Beads
  • Crochet/Knitting
  • Rubber Band Bracelets
  • Buttons
  • Electronics
  • Leather
  • Yarn Crafts
  • … and more!

Drop-In Projects (Eastern Shore 2 – leftmost door):

We run multiple different drop-in sessions for guided projects that are quicker than a full workshop. Join us at any point during the class to get started, work on it at your own pace, and leave when you’re finished! Check the schedule in Guidebook.

  • Intro to Machine Sewing
  • Crochet 101 and 102
  • Demo Space Classes in the Workshop

Workshops (Locations listed below):

Workshops 1 (Eastern Shore 1 – leftmost hallway, around the corner, left door) &
Workshop 2 (Eastern Shore 3 – Found at the bottom of the escalator next to the makerspace!):

Makerspace Workshops are hands-on lessons that last 1-3 hours where you get to learn how to make a new project and take your work home! These classes work like traditional panels with a set start time. Check out Guidebook for a full list of workshops!

All Makerspace workshops require sign up via the MAGFest attractions feature. 

Sign ups for each class will open three hoursbefore the class is scheduled. You MUST show up 5 minutesbefore the start of class or your spot may be given away to those in the overflow waiting list. Click here to see the workshops that are available.

Lines for workshops will form where allocated below:

Map of makerspace rooms and line managment

Some of the workshops this year:

  • Sewing dice bags
  • Should this be an earring? (yes)
  • Soldering 101 with Magfest’s own, John Magfest
  • 2D-3D: Using game assets to create your own Cosplay mock-ups 
  • Cosplay and DRAG Makeup
  • Leather, and metal armor for you; chainmail shirts for your plushies
  • We’ve got: Fur Ears, Foam Ears, Flower Crowns, and Fairy Wings.
  • NSFW Sketchbook Swap (18+)
  • Gobbo Masks (Now in a classroom, sorry)
  • Intro to Cosplay Photography
  • Make you own Alt Controller
  • Trinket Trade! Now earlier in the night!

Visiting Partners:

NOVA Labs: NOVA Labs is a Makerspace in Northern Virginia. They will be showing off projects that their members have made, answering questions about makerspaces and making, and doing workshops in the drop-in workshop area and Makerspace classroom.

Unallocated Space: Unallocated Space is a 501(3)(3) non-profit Hacker and Maker space in Millersville, MD that is dedicated to sharing skills and knowledge for the betterment of the community. We are a group of talented hackers, crafters, and builders united in the pursuit of knowledge.Our mission is to foster creative and technical growth through open collaboration by providing tools and resources within the greater Baltimore-Washington Area. 

Game Kastle: Take a break from the convention-al hustle and bustle at the Game Kastle College Park Paint & Take! Game Kastle is a tabletop game and hobby shop in College Park, MD with over 100 events on the calendar every month including minis painting and games, trading card game tournaments, board game nights, organized and drop-in roleplaying games, and more! Space Marine and Stormcast Eternal miniatures provided by Games Workshop, and all paints provided by Game Kastle College Park.

Armor Academy: Alyxe has been working with leather and metal for over a decade. When they’re not traveling the world, they’re traveling the convention scene running workshops and teaching their skills to the next generation of cosplayers.

Craft Supply Donations:

We accept donations of new or lightly-used maker tools and materials. If the amount you are interested in donating is larger than a grocery bag, or you would like us to verify that we can use it please email makerspace@magfest.org, as our storage space is limited. 

We are currently accepting donations for the following items:

  • Yarn
  • Fabric
  • PLA filament 
  • Pony Beads

To donate materials, please bring them to the Makerspace Helpdesk during the event.