Woodworking 101 for Women
I have always been a proponent of getting more women involved in woodworking. Women are just as skilled and artistic as their male counter parts. Now, I am not smart enough to debate whether it’s an issue of genetics or upbringing or social pressures. But maybe it’s just a matter of women not knowing where to go to get started.
I know as a long time woodworker, it is hard for me to find relevant information on new techniques or tools. Sure there is a lot of information, but a lot of it is either rhetoric or condescending. When I find a good book, I treasure it and pass it on to others, the name not the book. With that thought in mind, I have been on the look out for a serious book on woodworking that is nether full of rhetoric or written in a condescending nature.
Well I think I may have found one. Woodworking 101 for Women: A Complete Guide: How to Speak the Language, Buy the Tools & Build Fabulous Furniture from Start to Finish
have been very positive, surprisingly, some from men who had purchased the book for themselves. One of the reviews I found most interesting was from a guy, who says if it’s good enough for a women then men should use it too.
Does the book make a new female woodworker a master craftsman, of course not, no book can do that. What it can do is explain some of the technical jargon that is part of the woodworking world, and may give that one women who has the next great design idea, enough confidence to try it.
If there was one issue I could take with the book, it is that some of the projects maybe beyond the ability of a new woodworker. Cutting interlocking dovetails and through mortises may not be for the novice woodworker, female or male. I don’t want anyone interested in woodworking to get turned off when just started because their first project was too difficult. But that aside, the projects are first class, the designs refreshing and the information great. I think this is a keeper for all woodworkers, not just the women.
Women Woodworkers
There is an old Aretha Franklin song, R.E.S.P.E.C.T, and if you are like me and fondly remember being the age of 40, then you know the song and may even sing along with it when it plays on one of the oldies stations. Well, I think that song should become the anthem of all female woodworkers and craftswomen. As talented and skillful as they may be, they get no respect!
I think the programming directors of all the DIY TV networks should take a real hard look at their programming choices, especially those geared toward women. Looking at the programming schedule for this week end; there are countless editions of “This old House”, “Ask This Old House”, “Woodworks”, and if we’re lucky “Holmes on Homes”. Now don’t get me wrong, I love those shows and have learned from all of them.
But look at the shows that feature Women during the same period, and what do you find? Shows that show women teaching Scrap booking, or how to cover a lamp shade with macramé or shows that try to redecorate a room in a day for the unsuspecting spouse. Come on people, I know that women are as capable of any project that their male counter parts..
Before anyone gets upset with me, please allow me to apologize. I mean no disrespect toward the scrap bookers and their followers. I am only trying to point out that today’s women are as capable as anyone, and I would love to see women given the same respect as the male craftsman.
Yes, I know that there was a female woodworker on TV about a year and half ago. Sure I watched her show, and while I didn’t particularly care for the projects that she made, she was a very skilled woodworker. And I will admit to a certain amount of jealousy over the amount of Festool products she had at her disposal. I would love to have half of those!
What I would love to see are shows that show the best craftspeople, male or female. I don’t understand how the networks can still get away with this form of discrimination. This form of disrespect is not limited to the TV programming. Check out copies of any of the woodworking or DIY magazines that cover the newsstands each month.
If there are still any males out there that feel there is no place in woodworking for women, I guess you have never shopped at Rocklers for tools or supplies. This Minnesota based woodworker supplier is run by a woman woodworker.