Women in woodworking: These business owners are upending traditional notions of men’s work

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The industry is mostly male, but that’s changing as women compete with creativity, expertise and product innovation

Daej Hamilton loves the moment when she finally assembles and glues together a piece of wood furniture, home decor or kitchenware. “I think it’s at that point where I’m like, ‘Ah, I did something.’ As soon as it’s glued up, I’m happy.”, Ms. Hamilton builds one-of-a-kind pieces including wooden tables, benches, shelves and bowls, often as commissions for clients. She always tries something new, relishing the challenge and the elated look on her client’s face.

Some women learn woodworking at home. Chantelle and Celine Collier of Guelph, Ont., grew up watching their dad Bill use a lathe to make custom wood pens as a hobby. He worked in the meat industry but launchedTo make pocket money as kids, the sisters would sort pen kits into baggies and label them. “We started learning the products without even realizing it,” says Celine. They would also use the lathe in their dad’s workshop and attend trade shows.

“We’re constantly coming up with product ideas and pushing them through to manufacturers,” says Celine. Fly-by-night newcomers will set up digital shops to compete with them from time to time, but they maintain their customer base by offering quality products, lots of choice and expertise.A decade ago, Amy Webster had no experience working with wood when she was looking to get out of the food service industry. She was living in Perth, Ont.

When she went full time with woodworking, she had a limited budget for renting space. She lucked out with the discovery of Franklin Horner Community Centre in Etobicoke, Ont., which operates a membership-based wood shop. She’s now involved in helping run and manage the shop as a volunteer. “There’s lots of storage, which is the best part,” she says.

 

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