A new, unique community hub is bringing together creators, innovators, and lifelong learners to explore new skills and ideas. NYESPACE, a makerspace run by Charli Bruce and Nick Salmons, and located on the NyE Communities Coalition campus, is providing a space where Pahrump residents can explore technology, engineering, and artistic creativity in a way that fits our rural community—without the high costs often associated with these opportunities. Unlike traditional makerspaces found in large metropolitan areas or college towns, NYESPACE is a free-access learning space dedicated to providing the community with the tools, materials, and expertise needed to explore, create, and innovate.
“We describe NYESPACE as a community makerspace, but the term ‘makerspace’ often confuses people,” Charli explains. “Essentially, it’s a place where people can access tools and resources they might not have at home to learn, create, and experiment. You’d usually find spaces like this in cities or around universities, where they operate on a membership model. We don’t want to charge for access, though—our interest isn’t in profit but in providing opportunities.”
The heart of NYESPACE lies in its mission: to foster an environment where people of all ages can develop new skills, work on personal projects, and engage in hands-on learning. Every month, they offer an “Open Lab” and a workshop. Open Lab weekends provide a free-form space where visitors can explore the tools and materials available, while workshops bring in guest experts who donate their time to teach specific skills or projects.
Unlike most makerspaces that rely on paid memberships, NYESPACE sustains itself through a mix of foundation funding, donations, and revenue from craft fair sales. Charli and Nick secured an initial pot of foundation money, which allowed them to purchase high-tech equipment such as a laser cutter, 3D printers, a T-shirt press, and various engineering and STEM-related tools. However, as a free community resource, sustaining the space financially remains an ongoing effort.
“To keep materials stocked for workshops, we operate on a suggested donation model,” Charli says. “If attendees can afford to donate five or ten dollars, that covers the cost of materials for them and for someone else who might not be able to afford it. But sometimes we get no donations, so we rely heavily on external material donations.”
To supplement these funds, NYESPACE has expanded into selling handcrafted items at local craft fairs. Everything sold at these events is made within the makerspace, reinforcing their ethos of self-sustaining creativity. The revenue generated from these sales goes directly back into purchasing supplies for workshops and open lab activities.
“We wanted to find ways to generate funds that made sense for the space,” Charli adds. “By creating and selling at craft fairs, we’re both demonstrating what’s possible within the makerspace and funding future projects.”
Additionally, NYESPACE offers custom project assistance for a small fee. For example, a local aquarium enthusiast approached them with an issue: he needed an automatic feeder for his fish but couldn’t find a commercially available solution that worked. Nick and Charli helped design and 3D print a custom model, charging a modest fee based on material costs and a small percentage to support the space.
“People bring us ideas or problems, and we help find a solution,” Charli explains. “We charge seven cents per gram of filament for 3D printing and slightly more for larger wood projects with the laser cutter,” Nick added. “But the first project someone does in the space is always free.”
Despite being an extension of NyE Communities Coalition, NYESPACE operates as an independent volunteer-driven initiative. Charli and Nick, both passionate about creativity and learning, dedicate their free time—weekends, evenings, and whenever needed—to keep the space running.
“There’s a perception that this is just for kids or tech people, but really, NYESPACE is for everyone,” Charli says. “We’ve had visitors from six weeks old to 85 years old. The only rule is that if you’re under 18, you need an adult with you. We don’t require it to be a parent or guardian—just an adult who ensures safety and supervision.”
Workshops cater to a broad audience and are designed to engage multiple age groups. A gardening workshop, for example, included both practical knowledge for adults and a creative element for children, allowing them to paint terracotta pots while learning about soil science.
“We think about workshops from multiple angles,” Charli says. “What does the community need? What’s interesting? What can benefit people’s day-to-day lives? How do we create a space where all ages feel welcome, so parents feel confident bringing their children to explore and learn alongside them?””
The array of equipment available at NYESPACE is impressive. At the center of their high-tech offerings is a Glowforge Pro laser cutter and engraver, capable of cutting and engraving materials such as wood, metal, glass, and acrylic.
“We use it for everything from layered wood art to custom signs and earrings,” Nick explains. “It’s a CO2 laser, so it can even engrave on glass and metal.”
Alongside the laser cutter, NYESPACE houses two Bambu Lab P1S 3D printers, which allow for multi-colored prints and the use of various filament types, including water-resistant ABS for functional projects like aquarium decorations.
“We’ve helped people 3D print replacement parts for broken tools, toys, and even customized motorized pieces,” Nick says. “If someone doesn’t know how to prepare a file for 3D printing, we sit with them and walk them through it.”
Beyond high-tech tools, NYESPACE provides access to a T-shirt press, sewing machines, soldering irons, heat guns, woodworking tools, and even a 3D scanner. Whether someone wants to make custom apparel, repair a household item, or start a new crafting hobby, NYESPACE has the resources to help.
Because Charli and Nick operate the space in their free time, access to NYESPACE is by appointment, during Open Lab weekends, or during scheduled workshops. However, they recently implemented an event space rental system, which can be found here, allowing groups like the local Frontier Girls and planner hobby groups to reserve the space in exchange for material donations.
“We don’t charge for space use,” Charli says. “Instead, we ask groups to donate materials—new or used—that can be used in the makerspace.”
Looking to the future, they hope to expand their hours and bring in volunteers to help oversee the space. However, as the makerspace houses expensive equipment, they are cautious about entrusting access without thorough vetting.
“We’ve been trusted with this space, and it has valuable tools,” Charli explains. “We’d love to expand availability, but we have to make sure volunteers are trained and responsible.”
Community members interested in supporting NYESPACE can do so in multiple ways: through material donations, volunteering for workshops, or purchasing items from their craft fair booths. They maintain an Amazon wish list with specific needs, such as children’s painting smocks, and they also accept in-person donations at NyE Communities Coalition. The front office happily accepts donations on their behalf.
“If you can create with it, we probably want it,” Charli says with a laugh. “We’ve had people donate fabric, yarn, acrylic paint, stamps, even old CDs. Instead of throwing things away, we find creative ways to repurpose them or we put them on our “Take me Home” cart so others can take supplies for free.”
At its core, NYESPACE is more than just a workshop—it’s a community resource dedicated to accessibility, learning, and creative freedom. Whether someone wants to laser-cut a custom gift, 3D print a replacement part, or simply explore a new hobby, NYESPACE offers a welcoming and supportive environment to make it happen. “We want people to know that we’re just here,” Charli says. “That this is a safe place to learn, create, connect and have fun.”
NYESPACE can be reached through their Facebook page, via email at nyespace@nyecc.org or via text/call at 775-293-8514.
