We all know home improvement is a hot trend. But did you know that when it comes to home improvement, a growing number of women are tackling woodworking by building custom cabinets, bookshelves, tables and more?
Recent marketing research by Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, a woodworking retailer, reveals that one of the fastest growing trends in home improvement is women working with wood.
"There are more than 4 million American women woodworkers today," says LiLi Rockler Jackson, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware spokesperson and a woodworker herself. "It's a growing trend as more and more single women are buying homes. We've found that women want to create something for their own homes with their own hands."
According to the Rockler research of women woodworkers, 66 percent state they love woodworking because of the sense of satisfaction they feel when working with their hands. Of those interviewed, nearly one-third (31 percent) undertake the pastime to create furniture; 19 percent build storage items such as custom cabinets or shelving; and 17 percent complete home improvement projects such as adding custom crown molding to a room.
Well known do-it-yourselfer and cable television host JoAnne Liebeler believes the sense of accomplishment experienced by women woodworkers is much of what's fueling this phenomenon. "Women are realizing they can use power tools and build something amazing," she said. "They see me handling a circular saw or a jig saw and they realize, 'hey, if she can do it, I can do it, too.' The fear factor has been replaced with a sense of empowerment."
Rockler's research supports Liebeler. Nearly 24 percent of those interviewed said they first started woodworking as a way to improve their homes yet found that they greatly enjoyed working with power tools. In fact, while one-third (35 percent) of interview participants are relatively new to woodworking, nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of them own their own power tools and know how to use them.
"There's such a rush of adrenaline when working with power tools," says Jackson. "Women are experiencing that rush along with a major sense of accomplishment and pride in what they can create."
Jackson offers the following advice to women who are interested in getting started in woodworking:
Ask Questions - Asking questions of advanced woodworkers and woodworking or home improvement store employees is one of the best ways to gain insight, knowledge and know-how into the art and craft of woodworking.
Take a Class - Many schools and woodworking retailers, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware among them, offer classes for beginning woodworkers as well as advanced woodworkers. Classes offer an opportunity to learn from the experts in an environment that is friendly and welcoming. Classes also allow beginning woodworkers to gain a level of comfort with power tools before making a purchase. A list of woodworking schools is available at www.woodworkersjournal.com/ezine.schools.cfm.
Search the Web - There are a number of Web sites that can provide a wealth of information to woodworkers of all skill levels. One site in particular, womeninwoodworking.com, is specifically designed for women and provides an opportunity for women woodworkers to talk with each other. The site also profiles woodworking projects completed by women from across the country and lists schools that offer a variety of classes.
Read - There are dozens of home improvement magazines, do-it-yourself magazines and specific woodworking magazines available at newsstands everywhere. The Woodworkers Journal is an award-winning magazine that offers wonderful tips and insight.
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware has 35 stores in 20 states and extensive catalog and Internet operations. To find a store near you, visit www.rockler.com.
