Tiered Leaning Plant Shelves w/ Sineah is Back!

Tiered Leaning Plant Shelves w/ Sineah is back after a year long break! Her first class will be on Saturday, June 17 from 4pm - 8pm.

Build a ladder shelf like you would find in west elm at a fraction of the cost. Get a basic understanding of tools in the woodshop like the table saw, chop saw and more. Learn pocket hole joinery and other techniques for hiding your screws.

These shelves are great for above a toilet, leaning on a wall near a window to be adorned with plants or even outside if waterproofed later. If you have a specific use in mind please bring detailed description so your teacher can help you design your next build, if we are otherwise unable to customize this build to suit your needs. These projects are designed with the DIYer in mind. You will leave class with a better understanding of tool safety and build techniques to inspire your next project.

You will build a 3 tiered shelf between 5-6 feet tall and between 15-20 inches wide. These shelves may be spaced according to your needs. For example, over a toilet you may want 3 high shelves or on an interior wall you may want to space them evenly based on your plants/ decor height. See you in the workshop!

Come On - Get the Neighbors (or Whoever) a Gift Membership

Listen, we know. You're already a member of the Denver Tool Library. You've already got all the tools you could ever need to make your home and garden immaculate. People walk by your place in awe. Your reclaimed pergola concept is unique and in perfect condition. Your sunflowers are the tallest, your cherry tomatoes are the juiciest, and your lawn is so full and soft that you often catch the neighbors asleep in it. People do a double take when they see the size of your deck.

So, what is there left in life? How else can you continue to be the best person ever? We say it’s time you bestow others with the power that comes with a Denver Tool Library membership. You ARE the Joneses, and it’s time you give back to your poor neighbors (or anyone else who aspires to be you).

Give them a Gift Individual Membership or a Gift Household Membership. If you’re feeling benevolent but a little on the cheap frugal side, we won’t judge you if you want to give them a Gift One Time Checkout Membership (they’re only $40!).

Go forth and do even more good for this world you perfect Denver Tool Library members. Buy that certain someone a Tool Library Gift Membership so they can keep up with their spring projects and maybe one day be as perfect as you!

We're Looking for Outreach Volunteers to Table at Fairs

Do you like street fairs? Are you the social type that likes to (politely) shout at people from behind a white foldy table? Do you want to spread the gospel of collective tool sharing? We have just the volunteer opportunity for you!

We're looking for volunteers who want to table with us at street fairs while the weather is nice. Some requirements are….

  • You need to be able to answer lots of questions from folks at the fairs, so long time members or volunteers are super preferred.

  • You need to think (*know) sharing tools is super awesome and feel comfortable chatting passerbys up about how great we are.

  • You need to be able to volunteer on the weekends.

If this sounds like something you’d be into, we’d love for you to send us a message. THANKS!

*Our first fair is as soon as May 12-13 at DUG's Spring Plant Sale, so reach out soon!

Spring is Here. We've Got Tools.

Spring is here. It's time to make that spring project list!

Perhaps you're the meticulous type, setting your Google calendar to remind you when to mow those perfect golf course grids, when to trim your perennials whom each you have given a name, and when to edge that lawn to keep it distinct and sharp. Or maybe you're the more carefree type who lets your home run its natural course, but you need a weed whacker from time to time so you don’t get evicted (BTW- just in case that letter came in the mail weeks ago, you can come straight to the shop rn and get your membership and weed whacker at the same time).

No matter where you fall on the spectrum of spring project planning - we’ve got tools ready for your spring time projects so you can get that sweet satisfaction of crossing another thing off the list! Get your Tool Library Membership soon so you can tackle a good chunk before that summer heat is here.

Happy Birthday DTL!

4/4/23 was our 8th birthday!!! Time sure does fly because there's still remnants of balloons taped to the wall since our last birthday. Check out this photo of before the workshop when we operated out of the back, and check out our sign we made out of an old billboard where we forgot the "I" in "Library." As always - thanks so much for your support, and to many more years of sharing tools!!

New Classes Page & Booking System Upgrade!

New Classes Page & Booking System Upgrade!

We’ve upgraded our archaic classes booking system to be easier to browse and find the best class dates that work for you. Take a stroll through our class listings at denvertoollibrary.org/classes and sign up for your favorite class that’s coming up soon. Expand your handy skillset, discover a new creative hobby, and meet other craft and trade oriented people with us. See you in class!

This system is brand new, so if you run into any problems along the way, please let us know!

Brand New Class! Upcycling 101: Pockets & Patches w/ Jackie

Jackie, our amazing Sewing Machine Basics teacher, just released a brand new class! Upcycling 101: Pockets & Patches. The first class is on 5/12 and there are variations of the class including COVID-Cautious on 5/27 and BIPOC Only on 6/24. You can see a complete list of Upcycling 101 classes as well as our other fiber arts classes here.

In this class, you will learn how to add a pocket to a shirt and patch a rip in a pair of pants! Learning the basics of alterations and upcycling can bring so many possibilities into your wardrobe while avoiding purchasing new items or leaving clothes in the landfill. Bring one shirt (can be any type of shirt) and a pair of pants with a rip or hole (all types/fabrics welcome.) You can bring your own additional fabric & patches OR use what we have provided at the Tool Library. 

Skills you’ll learn - review sewing machine anatomy, threading & machine setup, hand-sewing techniques & tacking, vocabulary & tools review, and various stitches: straight, zig-zap, reverse, lock, and box!

Bring:

  • One shirt you’d like to add a pocket too

  • One pair of pants with a rip or hole 

  • Optional - Fabric (new, reused, misc) to use for pockets or patch

What to Avoid:

  • Shirts/Pants with fabrics like silk, linen, super thin fabrics because they can be difficult for beginner projects. 

You will leave with a fresh, upcycled fit & prepared to take the next step in your journey to upcycle thrift finds, family hand-me-downs, and more!

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 over 500+ hours of learning and experience. Jackie encourages BIPOC, 2SLGTBQIA+, and Neurodiverse creators to join them in class, where they intentionally hold space for marginalized people to reclaim joy! 

Brand New Metalsmithing Classes! Mountain Bangles & Silver Stacking Rings

Our instructor Liz @covertmetals has made two brand new Metalsmithing classes: Mountain Bangles & Silver Stacking Rings. Learn the skills to make your own jewelry and take home a beautiful piece for yourself or a friend.

Mountain Bangles Metalsmithing: 3/19/23 or 4/19/23

Rocky Mountains on your wrist? Yes, please! Copper and brass unite in this eye catching bracelet. We’ll use simple techniques and tools to create a custom piece you’ll be excited to show off. Measuring, sawing, filing, soldering, and basic polishing will be covered in this perfect for beginners class.

Silver Stacking Rings Metalsmithing: 3/27/23 or 4/16/23

This super fun class will teach you the basics of making a custom ring set. We’ll hammer a little, solder some, and create a personalized set of silver rings that will be your new favorites.

We Gave Away $7,000+ Worth Of Memberships in 2022

We did the math and we gave away $7,240 of memberships to individuals and groups in 2022! Thanks to DHS and individual contributions from y’all, we were able to give free Tool Library Memberships to all 45 groups and people who applied in 2022.

We are planning on getting these numbers much higher in 2023! If you’d like to contribute to our Financial Assistance Fund, give our Donate page a visit. If you’re interested in a free or discounted membership for you or your group, you can apply via our updated Tool Library Financial Assistance page.

Check out some quotes from people who received free memberships…

“After much struggle to get here I have finally bought a house! There are some home improvement things I’d like to work on and my yards are blank slates so need to work on those too! I like building things, I’m pretty handy for a single mom, but being such I don’t have much money to spend on tools. I’m also very interested in learning some new skills and having my son do so as well!”

“My spouse and I are both queer and he is trans. We have social work/therapy backgrounds abcs are trying to save money and pay off debt. We really want to preserve the things we have and some of those things need repairs! Having access to the tool library would help us save , reduce waste, and learn new skills in the meantime. We don’t usually feel comfortable going to big box tool stores so having a place we could go where there might Be other people like us would be a relief.”

“We recently bought a a condo that needed A LOT of work done so the tool library has been a dream for helping cut costs on renovations and DIY projects, allowing me to actually make it start to feel like a home. Unfortunately, my job let go of 500 staff two months ago, so I'm unable to afford a renewal this year as I'm currently unemployed.”

“As a disenfranchised elderly person, I could greatly use the tools offered on my house as it needs work done to it.”

“A membership would give me the tools (literally) that I need to finally finish 3 types of projects that I've been putting off for far too long: (1) projects to fix issues that are potentially harmful to my physical health - like repairing the holes that mice have been getting inside through, something I'm mostly capable of doing myself (if I had the tools), but that a professional quoted me almost $4,000 for, (2) projects that will save me money in the long run - like repairing cracks in my walls and sealing windows that I can't reach without a ladder, to make my home more energy efficient, and (3) projects that improve my mental health - like putting up shelves/clothing rods in my closet (which fell almost 2 years ago).”

“Having this opportunity would allow me to finally make my dream a reality and give me something to look forward to doing moving forward.”