Handmade Holiday Class Gift Guide 2025

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!

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Skill Shares! Our New Free Community Event

We’re launching a brand new free community event - Skill Shares! The first one will be Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 6p-7:30p.

🛠️Skill Shares are events where anyone is welcome to meet and mingle with fellow members and tool librarians and learn more about what projects they are working on. Each event features a few short presentations from community members sharing their projects, lessons learned, and inspiration, followed by time to chat and connect over N/A beverages. No tool experience required!

🗓️The First Skill Share will be Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 6p-7:30p. Tool Librarian Zach will be talking about how he built out his van, and Britta will be sharing about repairing electronics and making synthesizers. N/A drinks will be provided.

📝Be sure to register for free before you attend!

Learn more & Register

New Repair Fair Date Announced! Nov 15th @ 2pm - Free Registration

We’re throwing our second ever Repair Fair y’all! It will be Saturday, November 15th 2025 from 2pm to 6pm. Don’t forget to register for free before you attend.

Repair Fairs are free events where community members can bring broken everyday items, such as toasters, bicycles, pants, and more, for free repairs by local volunteer fixers. These fairs offer a chance to learn valuable repair skills, reduce waste, and connect with your neighbors. No repair experience is required as our volunteers will guide you through fixing the items you bring in (limit two items per person please!).

Learn More & Register

New Member Discount Partners! + Perks Reclaimed Open House 25% Off

Did you know that your Denver Tool Library membership gets you discounts around town? For just $150/year, borrow like a bazillion tools AND save on materials at local shops. Our latest partners are @perksreclaimed and @recreativedenver - tell them you’re a Tool Library member and get 10% off supplies for your next project!

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Perks Reclaimed is also hosting a special Fall Festival on October 11th, and DTL members and newsletter subscribers can get 25% off that day!!

The Perks Reclaimed store and yard is stocked with a variety of reclaimed materials like lumber, cabinets, doors, appliances, flooring, and cargo planks, all sourced from deconstructed homes and businesses. When you mention reading about the event in this newsletter, you'll receive a 25% discount on everything in the store, with the exception of polyiso insulation boards and cargo planks, which will still be offered at a 10% discount. www.perksreclaimed.com

Brand New Class! Culinary Knives w/ Dan Briechle

*Apologies! There was a typo in the newsletter - there is no October 19th class.

We’ve got a brand new class - Culinary Knife Making with our new woodworking instructor Dan Briechle! The first class will be November 2nd, so sign up soon.

Create a professional quality chef's knife built to last a lifetime, whether for yourself or as a gift. In this hands-on artisan knife making workshop, you'll craft your own custom knife handle using a provided high-quality blade, starting from raw hardwood and working through each step with the care and precision of traditional knife-making techniques. You'll learn essential woodworking skills as you shape, sand, and finish the handle until it fits perfectly in your hand. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

About Your Teacher: Dan Briechle is a Denver-based drum maker and educator. With over 20 years of experience in composite lamination and advanced woodworking, his instruments have been commissioned by artists including Bruno Mars, Silk Sonic, STS9, and Levon Helm. Beyond drum making, he brings 25 years of woodworking expertise in finishing, turning, joinery, cabinetry, and carpentry, reflecting a lifelong dedication to craftsmanship and mentorship.

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Freeze is Coming! Blow Out Your Sprinklers

Did y’all know the first freeze in Denver is usually around October 7th?

Did y’all know that you should blow out your sprinkler system with an air compressor so they don’t freeze and explode??

Did y’all know that the Denver Tool Library has a whole bunch of air compressors and everything else you’ll need for this quick task???

For the cost of one air compressor, you can get a whole year of air compressors and 6,000+ other tools with a $150 Tool Library Annual Membership!

Psst… If you check one of these out, please bring them back as soon as you can so they next person can borrow it! They are super popular this time of year.

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Picture Frames are Back! w/ New Instructor David Shih

Our Picture Frame Making class has returned, and it will be taught by our brand new woodworking instructor, David Shih! Dates are now live for October, November, and December. Sign up soon - this popular holiday gift class is expected to sell out.

About the Class: Learn to transform a rough piece of wood into a professionally crafted picture frame, ready to hang on your wall. This class covers the entire process, from milling lumber to final assembly, teaching you essential woodworking techniques along the way. You’ll leave with a beautiful, handmade frame perfect for your favorite art or as a thoughtful, custom gift. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

What You’ll Make: A custom hardwood picture frame, designed to hold a standard 8" x 10" picture or piece of artwork, complete with acrylic panel, backing, and hanging hardware.

About Your Teacher: David Shih is a woodworking artisan who enjoys crafting pieces ranging from custom fine furniture to intricate inlays. He approaches each project with a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and intrinsic qualities of wood. You can follow his work at MoonRabbitWoodworker.com and on Instragram @MoonRabbit.Woodworker

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Share The Tools Community Quotes

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

As a non-profit, a chunk of our total revenue, gold memberships, and your donations hangout at a big pool party called the Share the Tools Fund which gets distributed via financial assistance, and these quotes are from recipients.

Want to throw some extra bucks into the pool party? We have a rolling fundraiser through the 2025 that you can donate to now.

Thanks for helping your community!

Brand New Class! Knowing Your Sewing Machine

Y’all told us you want to bring in your own sewing machines, so we made a brand new class: Knowing Your Sewing Machine w/ Bri! Learn to sew on your machine and take home some cute quilted coasters for your fall hot toddies. The first date is October 1st, so sign up soon!

This hands-on workshop goes over the details of your specific machine so you can get comfortable with its knobs, dials, and threading paths. Bring your own machine to better understand its quirks, or use one of ours to practice machine setup essentials. You’ll learn what the settings mean, how to wind a bobbin, stitch a straight seam, and more. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

Learn More & Sign Up