Class Spotlight! Woodturning I w/ Chris (Video)

Class Spotlight! Woodturning I: Lathes, Spindles & Vases w/ Chris. Next classes are Sunday, November 3rd and Friday, November 8th.

Woodturning is a specialized form of woodworking in which the lathe spins blocks or rounds of wood at high rates of speed while the woodworker cuts it using various hand-held gouges and chisels, to create round forms much like a ceramist throwing pottery on a wheel. It offers the craftsperson an endless amount of creative possibilities, and a joyful, improvisational immediacy- projects can be finished in a matter of hours (or even minutes), not days or weeks!

About your teacher: This class is taught by local professional woodturner and DTL shop monitor Chris Hoehle. He has been turning wood for over thirteen years and has studied with many of the top professional woodturners in the field today at some of the best craft schools in the country such as Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee. You can check out Chris's work on his website, www.studiocsh.com, or on Instagram, @studiocsh.

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2024

We know you probably haven't picked out a Halloween costume yet, but we need to hit play on the Mariah Carey track real quick because our Handmade Holiday Gift Classes fill up fast!

Don’t wait until last minute and get stuck picking out some Amazon junk just to find out that you already bought your dad fancy nuts three years before (true story). Instead, We’ve compiled a list of classes where you create a piece of art made with 100% genuine love that you can give to someone on your holiday list. Best of all, it’s sort of a selfish gift because while they get whatever you make, you get the skills to build another during our Open Workshop Hours.

Peruse the classes below. If one or two suits your fancy be sure to sign up for them soon before they sell out!

Member Project: Rolling Console by Max

Check out this DTL member project by Max! (@maxilla_art)

“Pictured in one of the photos is my dog peaches, who links into the story of this project. I initially intended to use this thing for puppy safe storage of hazardous materials.”

Be like Max! Become a member for just $150/year. Financial assistance is available for some individuals and organizations (check out our website for more details).

Already a member? SHOW US YOUR PROJECTS! Check out the link in our stories to submit a photo and some info about your recent project and receive FIVE FREE DTL BUCKS!

Share the Tools! $15,325 Given in 2024

Did y'all know a percentage of all your tool library, class, and open workshop purchases go to helping folks and orgs afford tools?

A chunk of our total revenue, your Gold Memberships, and your donations hangout at a big pool party called the Share the Tools Fund which gets distributed via financial assistance. So far in 2024, you've helped us give out an estimated $15,325 in assistance!

Thanks for helping the community!

Mosaic Pendants Class is Back!

Mosaic Pendants w/ Jessie (@jessierodriguez.art ) are back in time for the holidays! Make a super cute handcrafted unique gift and learn a skill while you’re at it. Class will be Wednesday, November 20th and Monday, December 16th

In this choose your own adventure mosaics class, we will design and make a unique pendant that can be turned into a necklace, bracelet or a key chain. We will work with a variety of source materials to include; glass, beads, buttons and more! Students will select a pendant base and learn how to cut glass using wheeled-tile nippers and glass cutters, and use micro cutters to repurpose jewelry and objects for reuse.

About the Teacher: Jessie is the Tool Library Coordinator at a beloved local tool library. She is also a mixed-media artist working with a wide range of materials and techniques. Current and past work include printmaking, sculpture, digital and video art. Recent work is composed of linocut prints that she turns into short stop motion films. An interest in mosaics was born after upon learning stained glass she found herself with piles of scrap to experiment with. This of course, led to more projects. Check out her work at jessierodriguezart.com or on Instagram @jessierodriguez.art

Member Project: Truck Bed Platform by Nora

Check out this DTL member project by Nora (@nooorasaurus)! “Invest in strong drawer slides to support the weight at full extension, double your initial time estimate, and have fun.”

Be like Nora! Become a member for just $150/year. Financial assistance is available for some individuals and organizations (check out our website for more details).

Already a member? SHOW US YOUR PROJECTS! Check out the link in our stories to submit a photo and some info about your recent project and receive FIVE FREE DTL BUCKS!

New! Discounted $50 Tools 101 Classes for Tool Library Members

Please Be Aware: This discount is for current Tool Library Members ONLY. 

If you're a current Tool Library Member, you can fill out a quick form below and get $25 off any of our Power Tools 101 class dates. Once you submit the form, you will receive a discount code that you can apply to any class date during checkout.

Power Tools 101: Learn how to safely and effectively use Denver Tool Library’s most common power tools. Understand best practices and best uses for circular saws, jig saws, miter saws, reciprocating saws, angle grinders, multi-tools, compressors, nailers, routers, drills, and sanders. 

Thanks You Maintenance Crew!

What happens to all of our tools that break? We fix them of course! Scott, Ian, and our maintenance volunteer crew keeps our drills and drivers drilling and driving, and our chop saws and weed wacker’s sawing and wacking.

Friendly reminder- if a tool stops functioning as expected please let us know when you return it to the tool library! They say if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, but if we don’t even know it’s broke, we definitely CAN’T fix it! And, we promise not to even be mad at you.

You’re not a member so you can’t break our tools even if you wanted too?? Well let’s FIX that and get you a Tool Library Membership!

Copper Pine Tree Ornament Metalsmithing is Back!

Copper Pine Tree Ornament Metalsmithing w/ Liz (@covertmetals) is back! This special holiday class will be Sunday, December 1, 2024 only.

Make the perfect holiday decoration to give as a gift or keep for yourself! We’ll saw, drill, and file a beautiful Colorado Pine Tree from copper and string it up so you can show it off. You’ll be able to personalize it even further with initials or a special date.

This class is perfect for anyone who loves jewelry, creativity, and fun. It’s also a great way to meet new friends and have fun in a supportive and friendly environment. If you enjoy the class, we offer a handful of other jewelry classes where you will have the opportunity to come back and continue your metalsmithing journey!

Liz is the owner and creator behind Covert Metals, a one-woman metalworking studio located in Denver, Colorado that has roots reaching from New York to Texas. Covert Metals emphasizes unique one-of-a-kind design that melds contemporary styling with hand-forged detailing. You can find her work at CovertMetals.com or on Instagram and Facebook @covertmetals.