Woodworking

Some woodworking projects require a whole Saturday, a garage full of tools, and a little bit of grit… but some projects are tiny, peaceful, and surprisingly satisfying. Wooden bookmark tabs fall into that second category. They’re quick. They’re lightweight. They’re fun to personalize. And they make beautiful, thoughtful gifts for anyone who loves reading — teachers, friends, family, coworkers, book-club buddies, or even yourself. If you're new to woodworking, these bookmark t

Cedar fence pickets might be one of the most underrated pieces of lumber you can buy. They’re inexpensive, lightweight, smell incredible, resist rot naturally, and are ridiculously easy to work with — even if you’re brand new to woodworking. That’s why they’re one of my go-to materials when I want to create something simple, beautiful, and giftable. And this time of year, nothing feels more grounding than stepping into the workshop, turning on some soft music, and making a ba

Episode 2 of The Maker’s Table: Holiday Special Series There’s something special about the gifts we make with our own hands — especially around the holidays. The rhythm of sanding, the smell of wood shavings on the bench, the quiet satisfaction of shaping something simple and meaningful… it’s the kind of calm we all crave this time of year. That’s exactly what Episode 2 of The Maker’s Table: Holiday Special Series is all about. We’re stepping into the heart of weekend woodcr

Thanksgiving is often framed around food and family gatherings, but gratitude is more than a one-day tradition. It’s a practice. And for those of us who spend time building, cooking, or creating, the workshop becomes one of the best classrooms for learning what thankfulness really looks like. Because every cut, every nail, every project—finished or not—teaches us something about patience, humility, and appreciation. Crafting isn’t just about making things. It’s about noticing

There’s something magical about giving a handmade gift. It’s more than just an object—it’s a piece of your time, your effort, and your creativity. It says, I thought about you long before I wrapped this up. And here’s the good news: you don’t need months of prep or a massive workshop to build Christmas gifts that people will love. If you start now, you still have plenty of time to make meaningful, practical, and beautiful gifts that will be used and cherished for years to com

The holidays are noisy. Calendars fill, stores crowd, ads scream for attention, and somewhere in the middle of it all, we’re supposed to find joy. It’s easy to get swept up in the frenzy. But that’s why crafting—whether it’s woodworking, cooking over fire, or even bottling homemade wine—matters more during the holiday season than almost any other time of year. Crafting slows us down, roots us in the present, and reminds us that the best gifts and gatherings don’t come from st

Every time I step into the workshop, there’s a rhythm that unfolds almost without thinking. The flip of the light switch. The feel of sawdust under my hands. The soft hum of tools waking up. It’s not just routine—it’s ritual. Because building isn’t only about the projects we finish. It’s about the rhythm we keep, the rituals we create, and the way those patterns quietly fuel our creativity. Why Routine Matters There’s a reason so many makers start their time in the shop the s

Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food—it’s about the way we serve it. The cutting board that becomes the carving station. The tray that carries drinks to the table. The serving board that doubles as a centerpiece. These small details don’t just hold food; they hold memory, care, and tradition. And the best part? You don’t have to buy them. You can build them yourself. Woodworking projects for Thanksgiving don’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simplest builds are often t

There’s something sacred about slowing down enough to make something by hand.Maybe it’s the rhythm of sanding. The scent of sawdust and coffee in the morning. The quiet satisfaction of watching something real take shape right in front of you. That’s the heart of my newest book, Build with Purpose: Why Creating Isn’t Just a Hobby—It’s a Way to Come Home to Yourself. This book was written for every woman who’s ever longed to create—not to hustle, not to prove—but simply to reme

Walk into almost any hardware store, flip through most tool catalogs, or scroll Pinterest long enough, and you’ll notice something: woodworking is often shown as a “man’s world.” But here’s the truth—women have always belonged in the workshop. Not just today. Not just in the modern DIY movement. Always. A History That’s Been Overlooked Throughout history, women have built, crafted, and created alongside men. From weaving and furniture-making to tool use on farms and homestead

Every project starts the same way: with an idea. Maybe you’re scrolling Pinterest and see a blanket ladder that makes you think, I could make that.  Or maybe you’re staring at an empty corner of your living room, imagining the perfect shelf. The inspiration hits—but then comes the question: how do you get from a sketch on paper to actually cutting wood? That’s the leap that stops a lot of beginners. But the truth is, planning your first DIY project doesn’t have to be complica

Every holiday season, the stores fill with mass-produced items. Shiny, convenient, easy to wrap. But if you’ve ever given—or received—a handmade gift, you know it feels different. A cutting board made by hand isn’t just wood. A wine rack crafted in your shop isn’t just storage. A wooden tray or set of coasters isn’t just décor. They’re personal. They’re thoughtful. They carry the maker’s heart in a way no store-bought item ever could. And the best part? Holiday-worthy woodwor

Halloween is one of those holidays that invites creativity. Pumpkins on porches, skeletons in windows, and bats flying across the walls create a playful and spooky atmosphere. It’s a chance to let your imagination run wild. But here’s the thing: not all Halloween decorations need to come from the store. Some of the best pieces you’ll ever display are the ones you build yourself. With just a few tools and some scrap wood, you can craft décor that feels festive, personal, and s

There’s something about fall that makes the workshop feel even more inviting. The air is cooler, the days are shorter, and weekends start to feel like the perfect time to slow down, pour a cup of coffee, and get lost in a project. For me, fall has always been a season of building. Maybe it’s the cozy vibe, maybe it’s the thought of gathering indoors again, but every year when the leaves start to turn, I find myself drawn back to simple woodworking projects that make home feel

Today’s the day. She Builds: The Empowered Woman’s Guide to Woodworking and DIY Mastery  is officially out in the world, and I couldn’t be more excited—or more proud—to share it with you. This book has been a dream in the making, but more than that, it’s a statement. It’s proof that woodworking doesn’t belong to one type of person, one gender, or one background. The workbench belongs to anyone who dares to pick up a tool and create. And this book? It’s written especially for

Pinterest is beautiful. The perfectly staged workshops, the spotless projects, the endless scroll of farmhouse shelves and reclaimed-wood tables—it’s easy to get lost in the inspiration. But here’s the truth: real workshops don’t look like that. Not mine, not yours, not anyone’s. There’s sawdust on the floor, scraps leaning in corners, and projects that didn’t go as planned. And honestly? That’s where the real wisdom lives—the stuff Pinterest doesn’t teach you. So today, let’

If you’ve ever looked around your garage, spare room, or tiny corner of a basement and thought, “This is too small to be a real...

You started strong. The wood was cut, the stain was selected, the vision was clear. You could see  how beautiful it was going to be. But...

Scrap wood. It starts with one leftover board from a shelf project. Then a few cutoffs from a planter box. A sliver here, a chunk...

Let’s be honest—most of us aren’t spending eight uninterrupted hours in the shop. Between work, family, errands, dishes, and the million...