GET STARTED…
@ 757 MAKERSPACE NORFOLK, VA MAY 9-10, 2026
A two-day maker learning weekend where real people teach real skills to total beginners. No lectures. No slides. You make and learn something. Every session, every time.
40 ATTENDEES
44 SESSIONS
02 DAYS
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Get Started... is a two-day, hands-on maker learning weekend at 757 Makerspace in Norfolk, Virginia. We bring together 40 attendees and a roster of instructors who actually do the thing: welders, potters, coders, woodworkers, side-hustlers, for a weekend of 55-minute beginner sessions built around making.
Every session ends with attendees making or taking home something real. Not a certificate. Not a pamphlet. Something they built with their own hands.
Sessions are organized across four tracks so attendees can build a weekend that fits what they want to learn. Whether someone comes in curious about welding, wanting to start a side business, or just looking to try something new, there's a path for them.
Get Started... is deliberately small. 40 people. Intimate sessions. Real access to instructors and equipment. The kind of weekend that changes what people think is possible for them.
WHAT IS GET STARTED…
TWO DAYS.
REAL SKILLS.
TOTAL BEGINNERS.
🔧 MAKE — FABRICATION
Welding, 3D printing, woodworking, laser cutting, CNC, metalwork, and more. If it involves tools and making physical things, it lives here.
💰BUILD — BUSINESS
Pricing your work, selling online, launching a side hustle, getting press, building a brand. The business side of making.
💻 TECH — DIGITAL
Arduino, CAD, Raspberry Pi, electronics, coding, and digital fabrication. For people who want to make things that think.
🎨 CREATE — ART & CRAFT
Ceramics, textiles, illustration, screen printing, jewelry, and everything handmade. The art side of the makerspace.
FROM THE SHOP FLOOR
THIS IS WHAT
IT LOOKS LIKE.
We're looking for instructors who actually make things, not academics, not theorists. People who weld, code, throw pots, sew, build furniture, run Etsy shops, fix electronics, or do anything else with their hands and their brains.
You design a 55-minute beginner session built around making. Attendees leave with something they made or learned enough to be dangerous. You get to spend a weekend surrounded by 40 curious, motivated people in a 40,000 sq ft makerspace with every tool you could need.
Sessions run across two days. You pick what day works. You pick what you are interested in. We handle the room, the equipment, and the logistics.
TEACH AT GET STARTED…
YOU DO THE THING.
TEACH IT.
READY TO APPLY?
Applications take about 5 minutes. We review on a rolling basis and will be in touch within 2 weeks. Have more than one session idea? Submit once per session.
YOUR CHOICE OF COMPENSATION
A free weekend pass to attend the full event (valued at $150-$170), or a $70 session stipend. You pick what works for you.
01
FULL EQUIPMENT ACCESS
CNC routers, laser cutters, welding stations, 3D printers, pottery wheels and more. If you need it, we probably have it.
02
SMALL, ENGAGED GROUPS
Sessions cap based on what makes sense for your content. You’re teaching real beginners who chose your session on purpose.
03
REAL VISIBILITY
We’ll tag and feature instructors across our social channels before, doing and after the event. Great for anyone building a brand around their craft.
04
IF YOU MAKE IT,
YOU CAN TEACH IT.
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
WELDERS
MIG, TIG, stick, or oxy-acetylene. Beginners want to strike an arc. Show them how.
3D PRINTERS
FDM, resin, design-to-print workflows. Help someone make their first physical object from nothing.
POTTERS
Wheel throwing, hand-building, glazing. Something tactile and real that people will take home.
WOODWORKERS
Hand tools, power tools, joinery, finishing. Beginners love making something that'll sit on their shelf.
SIDE HUSTLERS
Selling on Etsy, pricing your work, building a following. The business of making is its own skill.
CODERS
Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Python basics, making things blink or move. Electronics plus code is magic to beginners.
SEWERS
Hand sewing, machine sewing, alterations, basic garment construction. Practical and endlessly useful.
JEWELERS
Wire wrapping, metalsmithing, resin casting. Make something wearable in 55 minutes.
YOU?
If you make something and can teach a total beginner how to get started in 55 minutes, we want to hear from you.
FAQ
QUESTIONS
Do I need teaching experience?
No. If you know your craft and can break it down for a total beginner, that's enough. We're not looking for formal educators — we're looking for people who make things and can show others how to get started. If you want guidance, we're happy to help you shape your session.
How long is a session?
55 minutes. Plan for attendees to make something or leave with a concrete skill. We recommend building in 10 minutes for setup/cleanup and 45 minutes of actual teaching and doing.
How many people will be in my session?
That depends on your session. A welding intro might cap at 6–8 for safety. A talk on pricing your work could hold 20+. You tell us your realistic max when you apply and we'll schedule accordingly.
What if I need materials or supplies?
Tell us what you need in the application. We may be able to offset material costs for the right sessions. Even a rough estimate ($5/person, $50 total, etc.) helps us plan. Most equipment at the makerspace is available for sessions at no cost.
Can I teach more than one session?
Yes — submit the application form once per session idea. Each submission is reviewed independently.
When will I hear back?
We review applications on a rolling basis and aim to respond within two weeks of submission. We'll confirm your session, day, and time slot via email.
Where is 757 Makerspace?
We have two locations — the spring event will be held at Norfolk location. Full address and parking details will be included in your instructor confirmation email.
I’m not local. Can I still apply?
Absolutely. We welcome instructors traveling to teach. Factor travel into your decision when choosing between the weekend pass and the $70 stipend — and let us know in the application that you'll be traveling.
Did we miss answering a question you have? Contact us using the links on the main page and we will get you an answer asap. We look forward to making more AWESOME together!