As a crafty gal, marrying a woodworker was a DIY dream come true. However, as time went by I soon found my hopes of learning the skill put aside. My husband came home from daily work covered in sawdust and tired. I found it understandable he wasn’t interested in picking up “work” tools to train me on the basics.
One evening, while thumbing through some junk mail, I came across a flyer for a Woodworking 101 class at the local Rockler store. For months I toyed with the idea, but kept tossing it aside. Then I took the plunge and signed up as a Christmas gift to myself. It was a two day workshop building a bookcase. I was pretty nervous going into the class. I’ve always thought woodworking was a male dominant hobby. Was I going to be the only girl there? I’m not going to know anyone, will I have the courage to ask for help when needed? This is a pretty big project in size, will I goof up the bookcase? I nearly skipped the class due to nerves. Yet, the morning of the first class day arrived and I put on my big girl boots to head to the woodshop.
I was delighted to see the class was equally men and women, and of different ages and backgrounds. On top of that, the class was led by a woman woodworker! By the end of day one, I was working all the tools required for our project and having a great time with my classmates. The time flew by so fast, I was sad to see the day end. Coming into the final day of class, I was a different person. Confident, relaxed and completely present. Not a thought on my mind except what was going on at that very moment.
It took courage to step into this class. Not only as a novice, but as a woodworker’s wife. When I brought home my project, my husband was so proud. We are now planning several projects together for fun. It was amazing to say “YES” to me.
