New Hampshire Crafts and Makerspaces…

Spirit, and Small-Batch Success!

Karen and Jay share the excitement and creativity of arts, crafts and more in the Granite State!

No matter where you go in our beautiful state, you are likely to find the creative, even fascinating, work of our amazing artists and craftsmen on display.  Whether it’s hand carved woodwork, paintings, or even murals on the sides of buildings in a downtown area, these are the things that give life and spirit to the community.  Artists, musicians, sculptors and all those who engage in crafts – contribute mightily as independent spirits to the lifeblood of the Granite State. 

In cities and towns both large and small, the arts provide opportunities for people to gather and connect. In Portsmouth, the Prescott Park Arts Festival brings residents and visitors together each summer to enjoy music, theater, and visual arts along the waterfront. In Concord, the Capitol Center for the Arts hosts performances from local, national, and international artists, filling downtown with culture and energy. These vibrant venues highlight the commitment New Hampshire communities make to celebrating creativity in shared spaces.

Beyond performance and exhibition halls, makerspaces have become important hubs of innovation and collaboration across the state. Places like MakeIt Labs in Nashua, the first hackerspace in New Hampshire, offer tools, workshops, and supportive communities for inventors, craftspeople, and lifelong learners. In Claremont, the Claremont Makerspace brings together artists and entrepreneurs in a historic mill building, giving people access to equipment ranging from woodworking machinery to 3D printers. These centers demonstrate how tradition and technology can work hand in hand, empowering individuals to transform ideas into reality.

Public art also plays a vital role in enriching daily life. Murals in downtown Keene, for example, brighten city blocks with community-inspired artwork, while sculptures along the Prescott Arts Walk in Dover encourage reflection and conversation. These projects not only beautify public spaces but also give voice to local stories, beliefs, and aspirations. By investing in public art, towns and cities strengthen their cultural identity and create open invitations for all to engage with creativity.

Perhaps most importantly, the widespread appreciation for arts and makerspaces ensures that creativity is not limited to a select few but accessible to all ages and backgrounds. School partnerships with local artists inspire young students, senior centers host painting or pottery workshops, and libraries across the state often collaborate with makerspaces to bring hands-on learning to their patrons. Through these collective efforts, New Hampshire continues to cultivate an environment where artistry and innovation flourish — a true testament to the state’s deep respect for imagination and community spirit.

Together, these efforts weave a vibrant cultural fabric across New Hampshire, reminding us that the arts and makerspaces are not only sources of beauty and innovation, but also powerful threads that bind our communities, inspire our imaginations, and carry the spirit of the Granite State into the future.

Community Workshops and Makerspaces Fueling Local Economies

Across New Hampshire, waves of creativity are unfolding in shared spaces where tools, training, and innovation meet. Makerspaces are turning historic mills and storefronts into hubs where people gather not only to build things, but to build skills, careers, and confidence. With creative activities like woodshops, 3D printing labs, sewing rooms, and welding bays, these spaces invite anyone curious enough to try.

The Claremont Makerspace is a great example, finding itself in a converted textile mill. Inside, you’ll see a woodworking shop buzzing with sawdust, a digital design lab humming with printers, and a full podcast studio. For many in small towns, it’s not just about access to equipment. It’s about being surrounded by people who want to learn, share, and try something new. That spirit has helped small businesses get their start, from furniture makers to design consultants.

Down in Nashua, MakeIt Labs claims the title of New Hampshire’s largest community makerspace, with 20,000 square feet of possibility. The space has helped local startups prototype products and given hobbyists the chance to turn passion into business. Walk inside and you might see someone fabricating parts on a CNC machine while another is welding together their first bike frame. It’s a collision of ideas that simply wouldn’t happen in isolation.

Beyond entrepreneurship, makerspaces are creating pathways into the workforce. Veterans retraining for new careers, high school students exploring trades, and retirees sharing their wisdom all find common ground here. The focus is practical, but also deeply human. Skills sharpened in these spaces translate into real jobs and stronger communities.

The economic impact is undeniable. Products get made, small-batch businesses take root, and people stay local instead of heading elsewhere for opportunity. These places prove innovation doesn’t need skyscrapers to thrive. Sometimes all it needs is a community willing to roll up its sleeves.

Artisans Reviving Traditional Crafts

New Hampshire has always had a soft spot for handmade things. That appreciation is finding new momentum as artisans bring back traditional crafts with a fresh edge. Pottery, quilting, weaving, woodworking—these are no longer fading hobbies. They are thriving parts of small-town life.

In Sandwich, local pottery artisans shape clay with the same tools and techniques used for centuries. Their work is simple and timeless, yet it fits seamlessly into modern homes. What makes it special is not just the finished piece but the act of carrying a tradition forward, with workshops ensuring new hands get a feel for the craft.

Quilters gather in guilds across the state, piecing together fabrics and stories. For many, quilting is both an art form and a link to family heritage. Today’s quilts often mix old patterns with bold new colors, proof that tradition adapts while staying rooted. These groups are networks of support, creativity, and continuity.

In Peterborough, woodworkers shape everything from dining tables to intricate carvings. Each piece reflects time, patience, and respect for the grain of the wood. Unlike mass-produced furniture, these items carry the weight of craftsmanship, telling a story every time they’re used. Customers come not just for the product, but for the connection to the maker.

This revival isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about relevance. Handmade goods draw visitors, support local economies, and give towns character that no chain store can replicate. In a fast-moving world, crafts offer something rare: work made to last, created by people who care deeply about what they do.

Farm-to-Table Restaurants and Microbreweries

Food has always been central to community life, and in New Hampshire, it’s getting a thoughtful refresh. Across the state, farm-to-table restaurants and microbreweries are building menus around what the land and waters provide. It’s food that reflects community—and people are taking notice.

In Portsmouth, Black Trumpet Bistro works hand-in-hand with nearby farmers and fishermen. Menus shift with the seasons. A summer dish might feature just-harvested greens and seafood pulled from local waters that same morning. The philosophy is simple: fresher food tastes better, and buying local keeps dollars close to home.

The beer scene tells a similar story. Throwback Brewery in North Hampton has built its reputation on using nearly 100 percent New England ingredients. Moat Mountain Brewing Company in North Conway leans into regional flavors while offering a lively gathering spot. These breweries are community spaces where locals and visitors alike share stories over a pint.

Beyond taste, the movement ties directly into sustainability. When chefs and brewers rely on local farmers, they cut down on long supply chains and strengthen regional food systems. Farmers gain steady customers. And restaurants and breweries gain distinction.

The momentum shows that food and drink are about more than what’s on the plate or in the glass. They are about relationships between farmer and chef, brewer and grower, business and community. It’s a cycle of support that turns a meal into an experience and a pint into a connection.

Young Makers Learning from Older Mentors

Something special happens when generations work side by side. Across New Hampshire, young makers are learning directly from older artisans who have spent lifetimes perfecting their skills. The result is both preservation and progress: traditions kept alive while new ideas take root.

Classes in jewelry-making, woodturning, and fiber arts bring mentors and apprentices together. A young student might learn the exact hand movements required to carve a detail, while the mentor shares stories of how the craft shaped their life. These exchanges pass along more than skills. They pass along values.

Younger makers are also bringing something valuable to the table: innovation. They experiment with new materials, digital tools, and fresh design thinking. A woodworker might use computer software to refine a pattern before cutting, or a ceramicist might pair 3D printing with traditional glazing. These approaches don’t replace tradition—they expand it.

Mentorship isn’t always formal. In small towns, it often happens across kitchen tables or in backyard workshops. A retired artisan might show their teenager how to use a hand plane, or a young graphic designer might help an older weaver build an online shop. These quiet partnerships matter, as they keep communities connected.

The blending of old and new is what gives New Hampshire crafts their vitality. Traditions endure not by standing still but by moving forward, carried by many hands, across generations, with a shared respect for the work.

Positive Profile of the Week: League of New Hampshire Craftsmen

This week we are delighted to highlight the efforts of a terrific organization that has led the way in arts and crafts in the Granite State for almost an entire century!

Since 1932, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen has been a steady force behind the state’s creative life. Few organizations can claim such longevity or impact. The League has supported generations of artisans while showcasing the value of craft to communities across the state.

Seven fine craft galleries form the backbone of the League’s presence, offering artisans a platform to sell and communities a reason to gather. Walk into a gallery and you’ll find work ranging from blown glass to handwoven scarves. These pieces carry both artistry and utility, reminding us that beauty belongs in everyday life.

Education has always been part of the League’s DNA. Through classes, workshops, and school programs, the League ensures skills are shared across ages. For kids, it’s often their first exposure to authentic craftsmanship. For adults, it can be the spark to launch a creative business. Either way, it’s a pipeline for sustaining tradition.

The League’s Annual Craftsmen’s Fair at Mount Sunapee is a highlight of New Hampshire summers. For nine days each August, over 200 juried artisans showcase their work to thousands of visitors. Beyond being a showcase, the fair drives tourism, bolsters the economy, and reinforces New Hampshire’s identity as a state that values craftsmanship.

The League’s work rests on a simple idea: creativity and craft matter. They enrich communities, preserve traditions, and provide real economic opportunity. In supporting artisans, the League supports everyone who believes in the value of work done with care, patience, and pride.

Quote of the Week: The Arts and Crafts

“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.”— Kurt Vonnegut