Examples of products created using the tools and techniques taught during the Los Alamos Makers Creative Workshop series. Courtesy photo

Examples of products created using the tools and techniques taught during the Los Alamos Makers Creative Workshop series. Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

Los Alamos Makers is announcing a series of introductory creative technology workshops designed to help community members, makers, artists, entrepreneurs, and Creative Workforce Development cohort members gain hands-on familiarity with digital design and fabrication tools.

The workshop series will introduce participants to practical tools and workflows used in creative production, small-batch manufacturing, product prototyping, and digital fabrication. Classes are open to both Creative Workforce Development cohort members and members of the general public.

Workshops will cover beginner-friendly introductions to laser cutting and engraving, 3D printing, Cricut design and cutting, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Blender. Each session is designed to help participants understand not only what the tools can do, but also how digital files, materials, settings, and workflows come together to produce finished creative projects.

“This series is meant to lower the barrier to entry for people who are curious about creative technology but may not know where to start,” said a Los Alamos Makers representative. “Whether someone wants to make a product, customize a gift, prepare artwork, explore 3D design, or build skills for a creative business, these workshops provide a practical first step.”

The workshop series includes:

Introduction to Cricut Maker 4 & Cricut Design Space

Participants will learn what a Cricut is, what to know before getting started, what “weeding” and “transfer tape” mean, how to navigate Cricut Design Space, how to create a simple gift tag, and how to run a job on the Cricut Maker 4. There are 2 repeat options for this workshop:

• Option 1:5–7 p.m., Wednesday, June 3, 2026
• Option 2: 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Saturday, July 25, 2026

Introduction to Laser Cutting / Engraving

Participants will learn what a laser engraver/cutter can do, what materials can be used, what to know before getting started, what settings lasers need, what file types are used for different techniques, and how to set up and use the XTool F1 Ultra with XTool Studio. 2 repeat options available:

• Option 1: 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Saturday, June 20, 2026
• Option 2: 5–7 p.m., Monday, August 3, 2026

Introduction to 3D Printing, Cura, and Tinkercad

Participants will learn what 3D printing is, what to know before getting started, the difference between models, slicing, and printing, how to understand the Cura slicer interface and settings, how to run a job on a 3D printer, and how to use Tinkercad to make simple 3D models. 2 repeat options available:

• Option 1: 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 2026
• Option 2: 5–7 p.m., Thursday, July 16, 2026

Introduction to Adobe Photoshop

Participants will learn the basics of Photoshop, including the interface, common file types, layers, selections, cropping, resizing, basic image adjustments, text, backgrounds, and exporting files for web, print, social media, product photography, and fabrication-related projects.

• Date: 5–7 p.m., Monday, June 8, 2026

Introduction to Adobe Illustrator

Participants will learn the basics of vector-based design, including the Illustrator interface, artboards, shapes, lines, fills, strokes, text, outlines, layers, grouping, file types, and how to prepare files for laser cutting, Cricut, print, signage, stickers, and digital fabrication projects.

• Date: 5–7 p.m., Monday, July 13, 2026

Introduction to Blender

Participants will learn what Blender is, how to navigate the interface, how to move, rotate, scale, and view objects in 3D space, how to create and modify basic 3D shapes, and how Blender can support 3D printing, product design, digital mockups, visualization, and creative fabrication.

• Date: 5–7 p.m., Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Registration is required. Space is limited to ensure participants receive enough instruction and hands-on support.

The class fee for non-cohort participants is $29 per workshop.

All workshops will be held at Los Alamos Makers (inside the Blue Window building). Registration information is available at https://www.LosAlamosMakers.org/Creatives

For more information or to register, contact:

Los Alamos Makers
Hello@LosAlamosMakers.org
www.LosAlamosMakers.org/Creatives

About Los Alamos Makers

Los Alamos Makers is a community-based makerspace and innovation hub supporting creative production, prototyping, entrepreneurship, technical skill-building, and access to tools for makers, small businesses, innovators, and community members in Northern New Mexico.