The Dapper Hammer

07/28/2024

Shop Sale! Today till 2pm!

07/20/2024

Five years ago I decided to chase a dream long in the making, but one I had no idea would gain the reach & momentum it did; no less change my life in myriad ways.

Over the past five years you have entrusted your homes to me, your children to me, and your own vulnerability as so many of you showed up for class feeling nervous, scared, intimidated or all of the above. And I watched every one of you walk out feeling strong & empowered & joyful. And each smile, each declaration of “I fu***ng DID that!”, and each photo you sent long after class of the projects you tackled at home was a gift.

But what I didn’t expect five years ago was the sudden inpouring of young q***r and trans kiddos into the shop, excitedly ready (or nervously anxious) to take on power tools, protest art, marble mazes, scrappy sculptures, and wooden pinball machines. The friendships made, stories told, and “thay/them” name tags will forever give me hope for this world. Even now.

And to my wife, who was one of the first people I shared this dream with long before I pursued it, who first encouraged me, who helped me find this shop space after a year of looking, who taught me so much about teaching, and who has poured her own blood, sweat, and tears into this dream - you have changed me and I am forever grateful.

And so, five years after starting this dream - to be the person I needed when I was younger - my own kids (who created Scrappy Sculptures) are now 10 and almost 13 and need me in new ways. More adventures, more quiet nights at home, more late night talks, more presence in their lives. It’s time for me to be the parent they need while they are still young. It’s time for me to lock up the shop one last time.

It has been a gut wrenching decision I’ve been wrestling with for a long time, but it’s the right decision for our family.

I am considering having a little Shop Sale next weekend to part with all the class tools (and some bigger tools), so if you need a little piece of The Dapper Hammer to help aid in your home projects, come see me in the shop one more time? Sunday, July 28th, 10am-2pm.

Kalamazoo and beyond, thank you.

Cheers,
Dell

03/13/2024

BIG NEWS!! Have you wanted to join our Woodworking Essentials class? Now's the time!

Due to a commitment to my family to spend more weekends camping & backpacking & swimming at the lake & sitting around campfires, this will likely be the last Woodworking Essentials class offered for a while, so I've opened up some extra spots AND am offering them at a discounted fee of $250.

My website registration is being finicky, so email me at [email protected] to claim your spot! See you Sunday!

Class info: https://thedapperhammer.com/events/woodworking-essentials-mar-2024/

12/17/2023

It's officially "Dellf on the Shelf" Season and The Dapper Hammer is here for you! Need an extra gift idea or two? The Dapper Hammer classes are always a big hit and 2024 SPRING CLASSES ARE NOW LIVE!!

-4 youth classes
-7 adult classes
-Woodworking Essentials
-Framing
-Drywall
-Charcuterie
-BRAND NEW Table Saw Safety Class

Not sure what class your loved one may want? No problem! Gift Certificates are available as well!

https://thedapperhammer.com/classes/

12/17/2023

SPRING 2024 CLASSES COMING THIS AFTERNOON!!!!

10/17/2023

Y’all my good buddy Dom Bearwood from Bearwood Reclaimed will be teaching some amazing workshops out of The Dapper Hammer! Come make fun holiday things for your home and learn some basic ASL! Open to deaf, HOH, and hearing folks alike!

10/01/2023

It's Scrappy Sculptures day and I heard my shop buddy Moose may make an appearance!! There are a few spots remaining for the 3-4:30pm class! Moose & I will see you there!

https://thedapperhammer.com/events/scrappy-sculptures-oct23/

09/12/2023

Ever wanted to learn how to build a wall? Or how to (safely) tear one down?

Or, maybe you don't care about walls at all, but are chomping at the bit to get comfortable on a saw?

OR...you get excited when you hear "NAIL GUN." 😉

Whatever your reason, I have good news! This Sunday is your chance to learn all the above!

Come in the morning to learn the basics of framing walls (which includes saws and nail guns) and stay for the afternoon class all about drywall! We'll talk about drywalling a new wall AND how to patch any number of blemishes/holes.

Register for Framing, Drywall, or both! https://thedapperhammer.com/classes/

09/04/2023

Only a few hours left to get 20% OFF FALL CLASSES!! Register now while there are still spots remaining!

Use code BACKTOSCHOOL20 to receive 20% off!!

Adult Classes
Sept 17 - Intro to Framing
Sept 17 - Drywall Basics
Oct 15 - Woodworking Essentials
Nov 9 - Make Your Own Charcuterie Board

We’re always coming up with more class ideas (and welcome your suggestions). Below is a list of our most commonly taught classes, followed by a list of currently scheduled dates and offerings. Don’t see anything offered? Chances are we’re working on the next several weeks of classes and will h...

08/31/2023

It's back to school time, which means we all need a little more rest and and a little more play in our lives!

Dapper Hammer would like to help you do just that through our Fall lineup of adult and kid classes!

And because this time of year is bananas for most of us, I'm sweetening the deal and offering 20% off all registrations between now and Labor Day.

Just use code BACKTOSCHOOL20 to receive 20% off your class registrations!

Adult Classes
Sept 17 - Intro to Framing
Sept 17 - Drywall Basics
Oct 15 - Woodworking Essentials
Nov 9 - Make Your Own Charcuterie Board

Youth Classes
Sept 3 - Scrappy Sculptures
Oct 6 - Scrappy Sculptures
Nov 5 - Scrappy Sculptures
Dec 3 - Scrappy Sculptures

Between requests for these classes and the sale, I expect them to fill quickly!

Can't wait to see you in the shop!

Cheers,
Dell

Register here:

We’re always coming up with more class ideas (and welcome your suggestions). Below is a list of our most commonly taught classes, followed by a list of currently scheduled dates and offerings. Don’t see anything offered? Chances are we’re working on the next several weeks of classes and will h...

07/26/2023

There are a few spaces left for Sunday's Ceramic Tile 101 class!

This has proven to be one of our most fun classes! Learn all about choosing, cutting, and laying tile - you'll learn everything you need to know to tackle that new backsplash or creative tile project!

Register here: https://thedapperhammer.com/events/july-2023/