Have you ever completed a project only to realize that the finished product looked nothing like you had envisioned it would? Do you have a mind full of design ideas, but no clue how to make them a reality? Have you been known to sit with an IKEA catalogue in quiet contemplation? If any of these are true, our two-part Introduction to Design workshop series is for you! Participants are invited to bring their ideas for a small personal project – a piece of furniture, for example – and will plan their projects from start to finish with the guidance of DIY enthusiast and architectural graduate Laura McMurran. Participants are welcome to register for either one or both workshops, although attending both workshops is recommended to see your project from start to finish.
Introduction to Design I: Design Basics and Starting Your Project
In the first workshop of this two-part series, participants will learn the principles of design and how to apply them to their own personal project. Using drawing exercises and simple design tools, Laura will make the process of project design fun and accessible for those with little or no design experience. Using the inspiration images brought in, Laura will teach participants how to analyze and reverse engineer the designs in order to apply the techniques to your own design. Participants will leave with the tools to get you started on your design and complete plans for their own project.
Following Intro to Design I, Laura will hold a Design Drop-In at the VTL. Participants are invited to come by to have their designs reviewed, to have any questions answered and to receive feedback with Laura free-of-charge, on a first-come, first-served basis on November 9th from 10:00am-2:00pm.
Facilitator: Laura McMurran
When: Saturday, November 2nd, 1:00-3:00pm
Where: Community Room, Vancouver Public Library-Kensington Branch (1428 Cedar Cottage Mews)
Cost: VTL Members: $30 for Design I Only | $50 for both Design I & Design II
Non-Members: $40 for Design I Only | $65 for both Design I & Design II
What to Bring: Pen, pencil with eraser, ruler, one to three ideas of items you would like to design (chair, table, etc), and images from magazines, Pinterest, etc of designs and styles you like (on your phone is fine). All other materials will be provided.
Questions? E-mail: manager [at] vancouvertoollibrary [dot] com
Advance registration is required. Participants may register for one or both workshops. Please pre-pay and sign up through the PayPal button below or come into the shop to register. Refunds are available up to 48 hours before the workshop begins. VTL members must present their member cards on the day of the workshop to be eligible for the member rate.
Workshop Registrants: Please include your email address in the PayPal form! This is how we’ll contact you with any workshop updates and to confirm your registration. Note that VTL Members will be required to present their member cards at the workshop.
Introduction to Design II: Designing Your Project; Materials and Connections
In the second workshop of our two-part Design series, DIY enthusiast and architectural graduate, Laura McMurran, will introduce students to the many available choices of connections, joints, fastening and attaching techniques, basic structural needs, building materials, finishes, qualities and their associated general costs. Participants from Design I will acquire the information and knowledge required to complete their design and can then move on to the construction stage of their project.
Following Intro to Design I, Laura will hold a Design Drop-In at the VTL. Participants are invited to come by to have their designs reviewed, to have any questions answered and to receive feedback with Laura free-of-charge, on a first-come, first-served basis on November 9th from 10:00am-2:00pm.
Facilitator: Laura McMurran
When: Sunday, December 1st, 1:00-3:00pm
Where: Community Room, Vancouver Public Library-Kensington Branch (1428 Cedar Cottage Mews)
Cost: VTL Members: $30 for Design II Only | $50 for both Design I and Design II
Non-Members: $40 for Design II Only | $65 for both Design I and Design II
What to Bring: Pen, pencil with eraser, ruler, your design plan (if you attended Design I), and images from magazines, Pinterest, etc of designs and styles you like (on your phone is fine). All other materials will be provided.
Questions? E-mail: manager [at] vancouvertoollibrary [dot] com
Advance registration is required. Participants may register for one or both workshops. Please pre-pay and sign up through the PayPal button below or come into the shop to register. Refunds are available up to 48 hours before the workshop begins. VTL members must present their member cards on the day of the workshop to be eligible for the member rate.
Workshop Registrants: Please include your email address in the PayPal form! This is how we’ll contact you with any workshop updates and to confirm your registration. Note that VTL Members will be required to present their member cards at the workshop.
Written by The Vancouver Tool Library, October 09th, 2013 | No Comments »
Our Introduction to Tools workshop is back! Participants will become familiar with some of the most common and widely applicable tools in the VTL inventory in a fun and inclusive environment. Participants will learn proper tool use, application, and safety, leave with the confidence to name and use basic tools necessary for everyday projects AND an item they’ve built themselves!
We will be running two instalments of Intro to Tools in October: Intro to Tools (available to all folks aged 18+), and a trial run of Intro to Tools for Women (a trans-inclusive workshop available to all women aged 18+).
Introduction to Tools
Facilitator: Andrew Janzen
When: Saturday, October 19th, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Where: The Vancouver Tool Library, 3448 Commercial Street
Cost: $15 for VTL Members | $20 for Non-Members
What to Bring: All materials will be provided. Part of the workshop will take place outside so wear comfortable, tighter-fitting clothing that is weather appropriate. Avoid dangly accessories for safety reasons.
Questions? E-mail: manager [at] vancouvertoollibrary [dot] com
Advance registration is required. Please pre-pay and sign up through the PayPal button below or come into the shop to register. Refunds are available up to 48 hours before the workshop begins. VTL members must present their member cards on the day of the workshop to be eligible for the member rate.
Workshop Registrants: Please include your email address in the PayPal form! This is how we’ll contact you with any workshop updates and to confirm your registration. Note that VTL Members will be required to present their member cards at the workshop.
We’re sorry, this workshop is FULL! Stay tuned for future dates!
Written by The Vancouver Tool Library, October 08th, 2013 | No Comments »
Chainwhips and spanners and spoke tools, oh my! The Vancouver Tool Library stocks a substantial selection of tools for bicycle maintenance and repair. Come get familiar with naming, handling, and applying standard bicycle tools in this fun and friendly workshop for beginners. Together, we will disassemble and re-assemble a bicycle from start to finish, and learn some fun physics along the way. Workshop participants can take their new knowledge of bicycle systems, tool names, and tool applications to Our Community Bikes and receive $5 off an Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance workshop!
Introduction to Bike Tools
Facilitator: Lauren Warbeck
When: Sunday, November 10th, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Where: East Van Kickstand, 1739 Venables St. at Commercial Dr
Cost: $15 for VTL Members | $20 for Non-Members
What to Bring: All materials will be provided. Part of the workshop will take place outside so wear comfortable, tighter-fitting clothing that is weather appropriate.
Questions? E-mail: manager [at] vancouvertoollibrary [dot] com
Advance registration is required. Please pre-pay and sign up through the PayPal button below or come into the shop to register. Refunds are available up to 48 hours before the workshop begins. VTL members must present their member cards on the day of the workshop to be eligible for the member rate.
Workshop Registrants: Please include your email address in the PayPal form! This is how we’ll contact you with any workshop updates and to confirm your registration. Note that VTL Members will be required to present their member cards at the workshop.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW CLOSED. Stay tuned for future dates!
Written by The Vancouver Tool Library, October 08th, 2013 | No Comments »
Our Introduction to Tools workshop is back! Participants will become familiar with some of the most common and widely applicable tools in the VTL inventory in a fun and inclusive environment. Participants will learn proper tool use, application, and safety, leave with the confidence to name and use basic tools necessary for everyday projects AND an item they’ve built themselves!
We will be running two instalments of Intro to Tools in October: Intro to Tools (available to all folks aged 18+), and a trial run of Intro to Tools for Women (a trans-inclusive workshop available to all women aged 18+).
Introduction to Tools for Women (Trans-Inclusive)
Facilitator: Kate Richardson
When: Thursday, October 17th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: The Vancouver Tool Library, 3448 Commercial Street
Cost: $15 for VTL Members | $20 for Non-Members
What to Bring: All materials will be provided. Part of the workshop will take place outside so wear comfortable, tighter-fitting clothing that is weather appropriate. Avoid dangly accessories for safety reasons.
Questions? E-mail: manager [at] vancouvertoollibrary [dot] com
Advance registration is required. Please pre-pay and sign up through the PayPal button below or come into the shop to register. Refunds are available up to 48 hours before the workshop begins. VTL members must present their member cards on the day of the workshop to be eligible for the member rate.
Workshop Registrants: Please include your email address in the PayPal form! This is how we’ll contact you with any workshop updates and to confirm your registration. Note that VTL Members will be required to present their member cards at the workshop.
We’re sorry, this workshop is FULL. Stay tuned for future dates!
Written by The Vancouver Tool Library, September 28th, 2013 | No Comments »
As you may have heard, the Vancouver Tool Library is taking do-it-yourself to a whole new level from July 11-14 with City Commons, an interactive event that will bring Vancouverites together to repair, transform, and make shared places.
By day, participants will collaborate on placemaking projects that will help foster neighbourly connections. In the evening, everyone is invited to gather for workshops, music, and outdoor activities that celebrate the importance of placemaking in creating dynamic communities. No registration for the events is necessary! Drop in to whichever project sounds most interesting and give as much time as you have.
In the days leading up to City Commons, we will feature the placemaking projects that participants can work on during the event.
The Plot Thickens: Lakeview United Church Garden
The garden when first planted
Location: 2776 Semlin Drive (near 12th Avenue) Description: It’s a fixer-upper. The Lakeview Church Community Garden is designated for the promotion of food security and sovereignty within the low-income community in Kensington-Cedar Cottage. This site needs some work: a path, three compost bins, a small tool shed, and some other aesthetics. There is potential for partnerships with nearby community kitchens, social housing sites, and the Cedar Cottage Food Network to seek input in the creation of programs and events for everyone. When to drop in: Saturday, July 13 from 9am-3pm Tools volunteers can bring: : cordless drills, hand saws, hammers, paint brushes, wire cutters, gravel rake, tape measures, framing squares, levels, saw horses, gas mower or weed whacker
Gather Round Street Mural Painting
Location: At the Gather Round roundabout park, 10th and St. George Description: Where the 10th Avenue Bikeway and the St. George Rainway meet is a newly established neighbourhood gathering point. Participants will splash some paint on the road using a design based on community consultation that has been developed. Following the painting, there will be a block party with games, food, and fun! When to drop in: Saturday, July 13 from 11am-5pm (starting with a pancake breakfast!). Block party goes from 5:30 or so until 9ish.
