Stop Buying Gifts, Make Them Instead!

Use our Community Workshop or Tool Library to start making gifts now and have them ready for the holidays!

You spend your money on some junk online because you have to buy a gift but really they don’t want it so it ends up taking space in their garage until they finally find a reason to use it but the battery is already dead because it got cold and of course you can’t replace the battery so then they need to spend the time to figure out how to recycle electronics or feel guilty about throwing it in the landfill. Meanwhile (insert giant retailer here) is making enough money per day to buy a small country full of hungry people who will remain generally hungry during a holiday based on (insert giant religion here) which is all about feeding/clothing/healing those in need.

This is all to say - made gifts take a while to make so we have to break the rules and bother you before Halloween to tell you to use the Community Workshop to build those you love nice quality gifts! You know a made gift is a meaningful gift so buy your hours punch card today to save a few bucks while you build! Rather build something at home? Then sign up for a membership and take our tools home and make something. Hell buy them a gift membership too! It’s almost the holidays for Christ’s sake! Spend your money on us and not them!

Brand New Class! Sewing Machine Basics

Sewing Machine Basics! First Class: Wednesday, November 30th // 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Sewing empowers people to transform the world and the materials around them! Whether you are curious about clothing design, creating functional items, or upcycling fabrics - you need to know the fundamentals! The purpose of this class is to develop or deepen your understanding of basic sewing machine techniques. You will leave prepared to take the next step in your journey with a one-of-a-kind tote bag you created and the pattern you'll need to make it again and again! Bring 5-10 items of old clothing or various fabrics from around the house and we will upcycle them into a handy tote bag to store all your future sewing projects or Holiday goodies. Don’t worry, we’ll also provide a collection of funky fabrics to choose from and practice with. We will learn: vocabulary & tools of sewing, hand sewing, and various stitches: straight, reverse, lock, and box!

About The Teacher: Jackie Drummond (they/she) grew up in Colorado learning to sew from their mother at a young age. While studying Technical Theatre at Fort Lewis College, they learned techniques involving pattern making, alterations, and design and explored the historical and cultural importance of sewing. Jackie encourages BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, and Neurodiverse creators to join them in class, where they intentionally hold space for marginalized people to reclaim joy!

We got a new Teacher! Jackie Drummond

We’re excited to announce our new fiber arts (and more) teacher - Jackie Drummond! Jackie’s first class with us is going to be Sewing Machine Basics 11.30.22, but keep an eye out for a more classes she’ll be teaching in the future. BTW, if you ever want to stay up to date with those new classes and all of our other new classes, join our Classes Newsletter denvertoollibrary.org/classes-newsletter

About The Teacher: Jackie Drummond (they/she) grew up in Colorado learning to sew from their mother at a young age. While studying Technical Theatre at Fort Lewis College, they learned techniques involving pattern making, alterations, and design and explored the historical and cultural importance of sewing. Jackie encourages BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, and Neurodiverse creators to join them in class, where they intentionally hold space for marginalized people to reclaim joy!

Intro to Beekeeping is Back!

Intro to Beekeeping is back! First class of the season: 12.6.22 5:30pm-7:30pm

This class is designed for anyone who is interested in starting a backyard hive or is just interested in what is involved with keeping honey bees. Alex will cover all the basics to get you started on your beekeeping journey including: honey bee biology, different hive designs, what tools to buy, how to place your hive, how to acquire bees, honey harvesting methods, and common hive pests.

Alex has been keeping bees for 5 years and is passionate about sharing this knowledge with others in order to help the local pollinator population. She is interested in keeping bees on a spiritual level and aims to be a steward of the earth through this ancient practice. You can see more of her work on her Instagram @alma_apiary

Brand New! Midmod Candlesticks Woodturning Class

Midmod Candlestick Woodturning! First class Saturday, December 3rd // 4pm - 7:30pm

Working with the wood lathe is simultaneously exciting and meditative, and this class is perfect for you if you’ve been wanting to try it out without committing to the full day Intro class. Or, if you’ve already taken Intro and just want to take this class for more practice and a cool project, that’s all good too!

You’ll learn the basics of shaping a spinning block of wood on the lathe using just one tool- the spindle roughing gouge, and then you’ll use your new skills to craft an elegant midmod inspired candlestick with a brass accent.

The cost of the class includes practice wood and all the materials necessary to craft your candlestick including a hardwood blank, the brass accent hardware, sandpaper, and an oil finish.

This class is taught by Chris Hoehle, one of our community workshop monitors and a professional woodturner with over fifteen years of experience on the wood lathe. In addition to teaching woodturning for nearly three years here at the Denver Tool Library, he has also taught week-long workshops at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg Tennessee, and he sells his work at local galleries and art festivals. You can check out his work on his website, studiocsh.com, or on Instagram @studiocsh.

New Low Price! Moss Box Wall Art Class

Moss Box Wall Art New Low Price! Next class is Saturday, December 10th // 4-7pm

Moss Box Wall Art is only $100 now, and we listed a new class just in time for the holidays. Make someone you love a really cool living piece of art!

Do you find yourself daydreaming of the mountains? Are you naturally drawn to the calming effects of lush, green scenery? Do you wish you lived in The Shire? Look no further! In this class, you'll learn to make Moss Box Wall Art, a piece of nature for your indoor space

First you'll choose a repurposed wooden frame. Then you'll design your own unique landscape using a wide variety of mosses, ferns, flowers, wood, bark, flowers, succulents, mushrooms, tiny magical creatures, and more! Then you'll secure the moss in place. After, let yourself get lost in the intricate details, adding more layers of soft textures and vibrant natural colors. Your instructor will help make your box come alive. When you're finished, you'll bring your very own moss box home. Catch yourself staring at your wall art like Frodo in Bag End.

The naturally preserved moss is maintenance free and lasts for YEARS (some 10+ years and counting). All supplies included.

From the teacher Liz: Hiii everyone! My name is Liz. I started making Moss Boxes in 2020, during the pandemic. I'm a nurse in Denver, Colorado. Being a nurse during COVID means wildly stressful times. Amidst the chaos, I was looking for something, some sort of hobby, to bring me back to the present moment. I wanted to just zone out and make something nice. Also, I wanted a piece of natural art that you can... well... just stare at for awhile... something that takes you away. And that's really it. What you see is the result of a stressed out Nurse finding peace through making Moss Boxes in her garage. And once I started, I haven't been able to stop. I really love making Moss Boxes. Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Brand New! Bowls Woodturning Class

Bowl Turning! First Class is Sunday, November 20th // 10am - 5pm

*Intro to Woodturning or equivalent prior experience is recommended but not required. If you are determined, you can start with bowl turning!

Craft your very own wooden bowl using the lathe!

Bowl making is one of the most fun and captivating things you can do with the wood lathe. While the basics can be learned in just a few hours, you can spend a lifetime exploring the infinite artistic possibilities and refining your technique. We'll give you a head start on that creative journey in this class with some tips and tricks that will help you get off to a good start. You'll learn how to cut effectively on face grain projects such as bowls with gouges and scrapers. We'll discuss different methods of holding work on the lathe such as chucks and faceplates, and sanding, finishing, good form and design, and sharpening the tools with the grinder will be covered as well. We'll take a one hour break for lunch, so bring your own snacks or explore some of the nearby options on Santa Fe!

The cost of the class covers all materials and equipment, including food safe finishes, abrasives and a bowl blank (cherry, maple or other domestic hardwood apprx. 8" x 3").

Chris Hoehle is one of our community workshop monitors and a professional woodturner with over fifteen years of experience on the wood lathe. In addition to teaching woodturning for nearly three years here at the Denver Tool Library, he has also taught week-long workshops at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg Tennessee, and he sells his work at local galleries and art festivals. You can check out his work on his website, studiocsh.com, or on Instagram @studiocsh.

*Intro to Woodturning is required to use the lathes after class during open shop hours.

New Woodworking Teacher: Nathan Woolf!

We’re excited to announce one of our new woodworking teacher - Nathan Woolf! Nathan’s first class with us is going to be Cutting Boards on 11/13, but keep an eye out for a slew of other classes he’ll be teaching in the future. BTW, if you ever want to stay up to date with those new classes and all of our other new classes, join our Classes Newsletter denvertoollibrary.org/classes-newsletter

A bit about Nathan! Though new to life in Colorado, he has worked as a carpenter and woodworker for over 12 years, working on projects all over the country ranging from building houses, to finished bar and restaurant spaces, to custom coffeeshops, as well as an array of household goods and furniture pieces. Whether large or small scale woodworking is all related and he has a vested interest in finding those cool similarities in each application. You can check out his work on Instagram @nathanwoolf or on his website www.Nathanwoolf.com

Brand New! Plumbing: Knowing Your Home Renovation Class

Brand New Class: Plumbing! How do I fix my leaky sink? How can I make my shower hotter/stronger? How does a toilet work? This class is part of our growing Knowing Your Home Series which now includes Electricity, Tiling, and Plumbing.

In this class, we will look at faucets and toilets as systems with various parts performing different critical roles. We will dismantle and discuss the inner workings of various types of faucets, sinks, and toilets and develop a set of questions for quickly analyzing and identifying the real problem. At that point, you will be well on your way to fixing the problem yourself. The good news is that repair parts are often inexpensive and are readily available; you just need to determine what is needed.

After completing the class you will be able to: Understand and repair nearly any faucet. Remove and replace existing faucets in kitchens and baths. Understand how shower control valves work.Adjust or replace toilet ballcock filler assemblies and toilet flapper assemblies. Remove an existing toilet and install a new one in its place including a new wax seal.

Send Us Your Project Nudes!

That’s right, send us nudes (of your project)! We love seeing what y’all build, mend, create, and destroy. Tag @denvertoollibrary, email us, or DM us your project photos and we’ll put ‘em up on the interwebs. We promise it will make you famous.