Thread: Woodworking for Women

I found a magazine today called Woodworking for Women

Is there something you want to tell us, Midge?

Well I am trying to get in touch with my inner self.

Mrs Midge and I are having troubles deciding on a pattern for the doylies on the new bench.

P

When I started out some years ago, the area in which I had most difficulty was being taken seriously by retailers - men. Had a run in with a jerk in Bunnies tool shop back then, no other customers, totally ignored me (perhaps I was too well dressed ). He was "relocated" to another department after I suggested he had a problem with women in a man's domain. Bought a SCMS there recently and their attitude has changed considerably. Some retail outlets now have woodworking demos aimed at the female market, not before time, they've finally figured money is money? I am comfortable being a female woodworker and can match it with the guys in my chosen craft. Maybe some women would prefer to mix it with their own. As for the forums, I like this one! The advice is good, and I can disregard the "blokey" stuff if it doesn't suit me.

Tikki

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

I found it's associated site http://www.woodworkingforwomen.com/ which looks like any other woodworking site without any blokey stuff.

Saw that site ages ago and first thought it might be something for Allana to visit but it is too nice for her.

BTW men also post to that site , but so booooring.


Peter.

I liked the peice by Feral Cheral best.

How to clean hog prints from your dirt floor.
And the other one,......... how to love a man, who isnt your kin....

Al

had a look at that site some time ago but didn't bother to go back, this one is more interesting.

Whether a site or a magazine aimed at females is a good or a bad idea depends I think on who set it up and what they are providing. I would think that a women's woodwork or motorcycling or money site/magazine would have 95% non advertising content that was unisex. It would be the adverts and the other 5% which would determine whether it was worthwhile purchasing /browsing it.

I think there can be a place for "sexist" groups where women or men are in the minority in a particular career or interest. It can feel very lonely when you're a minority ( 1 female out of 100 in one department I worked at ) and even lonlier if you get treated like **** when you go to the local motorbike shop / tool shop etc and you're not sure why. Sometimes an all female group can answer those questions like - what are the best bikes if you've got short legs, or what is the best trade off between performance and weight for a circular saw or a router. But then again there are short men and guys who aren't particularly strong who might also benefit from that sort of information.

I wouldn't be bothered with any organisation which was so women-centric that men are excluded from all of their activities and similarly I tend to take a very dim view of those organisations that restrict committee positions and voting rights to men but are quite happy for wives and girlfriends to do all of the work.

Originally Posted by Tikki

Some retail outlets now have woodworking demos aimed at the female market, not before time,

Why :confused:

Surely woodwork is woodwork, no matter what you is, male or female, I cant see the relevence in targeting women, except for the dollar value.

BTW, I have some nice timber for sale, suit females only.

See how stupid it sounds??

Al :confused:

So those of us who can't cut through a hardwood bearer holding a 10" power saw while balancing on one Volley-clad foot on the raking top plate of a cantilevered pole house, can find out another way to do things!


Cheers,

P

Precisely my point Al. Just a bit more long winded.

Why :confused: asked Dan:

Scenario: Your fly got ripped out of your strides when you fell from the top of the cantilevered pole house . You go into a sewing machine shop and ask what machine you'll need to sew it back in. The assistant sells you an overlocker .

I'm quite sure if you decided to take up dressmaking you'd like to see demonstrations of the equipment you need to do the job before you buy.

Half of the equipment in my shed is totally useless to me because I have purchased with little/no knowledge of their capability. I have had to rely on the salesperson and his knowledge of the product/s to match it/them to my needs.

When I went to school boys did woodwork, girls did needlework, there was no choice in subjects. With the growing interest in woodwork and home maintenance amongst women why not appeal to and cash in on that market.

And the winners are: Women with more knowledge and confidence to try woodworking, etc and the retailer who sells more of his product.

Why "not before time"? If I was walking around with my fly done up with safety pins, I'd be asking "when's the first demo?".

Originally Posted by Tikki

I'm quite sure if you decided to take up dressmaking you'd like to see demonstrations of the equipment you need to do the job before you buy.

Originally Posted by Tikki

Why "not before time"? If I was walking around with my fly done up with safety pins, I'd be asking "when's the first demo?".

Probably. But what would the response be if I demanded, or even asked for, a men only sewing class? I'm tipping it wouldn't be favourable. What I'm saying is that there has been nothing stopping women from joining these demo's and classes except themselves.

Originally Posted by Tikki

Half of the equipment in my shed is totally useless to me because I have purchased with little/no knowledge of their capability.

You should research any product before you buy it and know what you want when you walk into a store. This is not gender specific. I have had salesmen try to sell me a dowell jointer when I wanted a biscuit joiner. If you know what you are looking for you can't be given the wrong thing.

Dan

PS

Persistent little bugger, aren't you. Ever thought of joining the Dog Squad?

Women have not asked for/demanded these demos, the decision has been made by the retailer based on the increasing interest by women. If enough interest was shown in dressmaking by men, in my opinion it would also be in their best interest to cater for that market too.

Bear in mind I'm talking about someone who has little/no knowledge of a particular craft, it's virtually impossible to research a product when you have no idea what you require to perform a specific task in the first place. You then have to rely on the advice of the retailer. I refer you to the scenario in my previous post .

Tikki

PS Hope the safety pins are holding up

Whats wrong with safety pins?

J!