Look at those happy smiling faces! So proud of their beautiful projects!
I’ve never been shy in front of other people, I think it’s from the years of 4-H when I did public speaking and demonstrations. I’ve always enjoyed getting up in front of others and giving a talk about something, or showing someone how to do a craft. Or maybe it’s part of my narcissistic personality. I like to be the centre of attention. Whatever it is, I wouldn’t change it. The confident (sometimes cocky), outgoing, independent person I am is who I am happy being.
I used to worry what other people thought about me. I used to worry that I wasn’t someones cup of tea. I used to worry I would grow up to have no friends. I don’t know when that changed for me. All I know is that it did.
The way my close friends and family see me is obviously still important but not so important that I’m willing to change the key components of who I am to suit them. I am loud. I am occasionally arrogant. I am a smart ass. I love to be challenged. And I’m ok with that.
So when Rex mentioned that I should hold some classes at the store I was all over it! I could showcase some of my favorite projects. I could empower some women to use some basic woodworking tools. I could talk and people would listen to me lol. Perfect! So I settled into my computer and got to work scheduling my first class; a blanket ladder.
Blanket ladders are the perfect beginner woodworking project. They require only a few basic tools, a few basic pieces of lumber, and they’re relatively simple to put together!
Filled with excitement I posted that first advertisement for my class on Facebook and had my fingers crossed I would get some interest. And I did! I had the 6 spots in that class filled before the day was out! Awesome!
In the weeks leading up to the class I put together some instruction sheets for everyone, got together all of the supplies I needed and went through the evening in my head dozens of times. When the big night came, I was ready.
I was very fortunate I had a great group of ladies attend this first class, most of whom had never operated any woodworking tools before. Their husbands owned all of the tools but they had never ventured into the shop themselves and “had a go”.
By the time the evening was through everyone had a beautiful blanket ladder that they were extremely proud of. And I was proud of each and every one of them. None of them hesitated to use the saw, the drill, the sander, none of it!
And all of them left with all 10 fingers! Win win!!
So today I sit at my computer at the kitchen table (my office is just too cramped to feel creative there!) and work on the schedule for the next classes! I posted my photos from last night on Facebook today and they were so well received I know I won’t have a problem filling the next ones!
makeup and my hair is chaotic, but I am covered in wood shavings wearing my pink tool belt so I am genuinely happy!
HI! Welcome to my blog! I’m going to start this thing with an introduction to who I am, how I got to be here, and what you can expect in the future.
My name is Kelly, I am 36 years old and I was lucky enough to grow up on a farm in Vanderhoof, BC. I knew what I wanted as a career when I was in Grade 6. I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I was going to be a Veterinary Technician. I got my diploma from Lakeland College in Alberta in 2003, and have spent the last 13 years working in veterinary clinics throughout BC. I have loved my career, and I like to think I was really good at it. But this last year, something changed. I was still enjoying my work, I was still rocking it, but I was starting to feel like something was missing. I wasn’t as happy as I knew I could be. I was feeling lost. I am engaged to a man who makes all other men look like duds. I have a daughter who is the most amazing creature I have ever met. I have 2 adult-ish almost-step-children (that’s a mouthful…) who keep me on my toes. I have a beautiful home, a quirky little dog, an incredible extended family…..well, you get it….I have it all. But still something was missing.
So, I did the only thing I could think of to get out of my rut, I quit my job.
I had grand ideas when I gave my notice of opening my own store. There was a local business up for sale that had been presented to me and a friend, and we were seriously considering it. We went through the books, we made a plan for what our store would look like, we had it all figured out, but still something didn’t feel quite right. Her plans for life changed and they were looking at a pretty big move in the near future so she backed out of the project. Upon reflection my idea of what I wanted in a store just seemed so different from what was being offered that it seemed to make more sense just to start from scratch with a new location, and an entirely new store. I found a location, I made a list of potential vendors, I even made a business plan. I met with a local group dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed. But still something didn’t feel quite right. I was excited about the idea of opening my own store but I wasn’t 100% certain that is what I wanted. I was enjoying some time off of work, enjoying having the time to spend with my aging grandparents, enjoying spending some time with my mom who had recently retired, enjoying volunteering at my daughters school every other week, I was just enjoying being me.
I had started puttering around in my inlaws’ wood shop a few years ago with my boyfriend. We built a few things for ourselves, our biggest project being our dining table. He owns a building supply store in town and over the years had been collecting interesting wood and salvaging things that came his way. He had a stash of some worm wood that had been delivered to the store years ago (like, we are talking 20 years ago, the man accuses me of being a hoarder but……. 😉 ). All of the holes and character in the worm wood instantly drew me to it. There wasn’t enough for an entire dining table, but there was enough for a center panel for a table! Our beautiful dining table was our first large project, and in a wood shop, there is a STEEP learning curve. We had this table built and dismantled completely 3 times over the course of 2 years. Yes, you read that right, 2 YEARS! We can’t ever part with this table, there is so much blood, sweat, and tears in it! Once it was finally complete we purchased a large piece of tempered glass to cover the entire top and now we have this amazing show stopping table. I’m telling you, anyone with kids should go out and purchase a piece of tempered glass for their dining table. That thing is the easiest thing I own to clean! She can color and paint and destroy whatever she wants (she’s really into science experiments at the moment, which means we go through TONS of baking soda and citric acid AND paper towels. Seriously, even as I type this she is grabbing the food coloring from the baking cupboard for her next experiment. Phew, thank you glass dining table!) and it all just wipes right off!
Pretty amazing, right?
This table sparked a fire inside me. I love shop time. I love being able to take a piece of wood that looks like it should be thrown on a bonfire and turning it into something incredibly beautiful and unique. The hobby blossomed into a little home based business. I started taking custom orders for clients, and started spending as much time as I could in the shop. I’ve built dining tables, coffee tables, bookcases, decorative items, barn doors, you name it, if it’s made from wood, I’ve either made it or it’s on my to-be-built list.
I’ve always enjoyed crafting. It’s something I get from my mother. She is Wonder Woman. I’m not kidding, I can’t even begin to find the words to describe my mom. I know everyone believes their mom is THE mom, but sorry, you’re all wrong. It’s my mom. My mom is THE mom. She is everything I hope to someday be (you know, when I grow up, and figure out what I want to do with my life and magically become an adult). She is probably the most creative person I have ever met. She can do anything, and is constantly learning new techniques and new crafts. I am blessed to have gotten that from her. I am always on Pinterest checking out new things I can make for our home, and to sell.
Wow, that turned into a novel. Sorry! And I really didn’t even discuss that much! Maybe I should leave some for another day…I’ll try to pick up the pace a bit.
At the end of a rough day at the vet clinic I used to come home and type an imaginary article that would never be published anywhere. It was usually an article to do with responsible pet care, what happens in a vet clinic, pretty much anything, I just needed to write. It was my way of processing the day, my way of getting out my thoughts and feelings that I couldn’t express any other way. So it seemed logical that I start a blog. I am going to post tutorials on the crafts and woodworking I do and would also like to use you all as my motivation to get my butt in gear and get into the best shape of my life. I know these 2 things aren’t related but crafting and fitness are both part of who I am. I have been overweight my entire life and have dedicated this year of rediscovery to also finding the inner fit me. I have taken up running again and although it is slow going to start, I am starting a running streak (thanks Charlotte, my amazing coach, and friend, who is currently #streaking1mileatatime and has encouraged me to do the same). From today forward I will be recording my miles, keep an eye out for #streaking1mileatatime and keep track of where I’m at! Feel free to send me a message and kick my butt if you don’t hear anything about working out or running for a few days! I’m counting on you all to keep me focused!
I grew up being a rough and tumble farm girl and in the last 10 years or so blossomed into an uber-girl. I love anything pink, anything girly, anything to do with health and beauty. I’m going to be posting some product reviews along the way of health and beauty products that I use or come across (thank you Fabfitfun!). I have started a youtube channel, and although I will be posting some crafting tutorials on there, it will likely be primarily videos of me being a girly girl!
If any of you come across something you think I would be interested on, please, pass it along. Anything crafty, girly, or fitness related I am totally into and would be happy to post a tutorial or review of!
I grew up being a rough and tumble farm girl and in the last 10 years or so blossomed into an uber-girl. I love anything pink, anything girly, anything to do with health and beauty. I’m going to be posting some product reviews along the way of health and beauty products that I use or come across (thank you Fabfitfun!). I have started a youtube channel, and although I will be posting some crafting tutorials on there, it will likely be primarily videos of me being a girly girl!