Igniting the Spark: My Empowering Journey Teaching Power Tools at Haven

The days leading up to the Haven conference were filled with a unique blend of anticipation and exhilaration. Contrary to what one might expect, the usual pre-event jitters never arrived. Instead, I was swept up in a tide of excitement—the thought of reuniting with cherished old friends, forging new connections within our vibrant community, and most importantly, empowering other incredible women to embrace power tools and master invaluable new skills. This particular teaching experience was made even more special as I had the pleasure of co-leading the class with my wonderfully talented and long-time friend, Brittany from Pretty Handy Girl. Knowing Brittany would be by my side, keeping me both on track and out of too much mischief, added an extra layer of comfort and fun to the entire endeavor.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Our Dynamic Duo and Invaluable Support

Our teaching team was further bolstered by the incredible assistance of Traci from Beneath my Heart. While she modestly claimed the title of “Vanna,” her contributions far exceeded simply presenting tools. Traci was an absolute whirlwind of efficiency and good humor. She seamlessly handed us the right tools at precisely the right moment, captured countless candid photos of our enthusiastic participants, and kept our lesson plan flowing smoothly, often prompting me on what to cover next when my head was buzzing with 20 different things I wanted to teach. She even famously demonstrated what *not* to wear when tackling DIY projects and choreographed a truly unforgettable “DIY shuffle” – a moment that, alas, remains an elusive video clip, but a memory cherished by all. Traci’s energy and organizational skills were truly indispensable, allowing Brittany and me to focus fully on teaching and engaging with our students.

The collaboration between Brittany and me is truly something special. We share a unique dynamic that makes teaching not only effective but incredibly enjoyable. We instinctively keep each other on track, stepping in to finish a thought or offer a missing detail when one of us has a momentary “brain fart.” More importantly, we constantly make each other laugh, creating a lighthearted and welcoming atmosphere that encourages learning and reduces any intimidation associated with power tools. This synergy, born from a deep friendship and mutual respect, was instrumental in making our Haven class a resounding success and a memorable experience for everyone involved.

From Uncertainty to Empowerment: The Hands-On Learning Experience

One of the initial uncertainties for our class was predicting how many people would actually show up. We braced ourselves for anything from a handful of curious individuals to a bustling crowd of a hundred. To our delight, we welcomed approximately 40 enthusiastic participants, a number that proved absolutely perfect for a hands-on workshop of this nature. This size allowed for intimate instruction, personalized attention, and ample opportunity for everyone to engage directly with the tools. We began with fundamental but crucial topics: comprehensive safety guidelines for power tool use, ensuring everyone understood the importance of protection and proper handling, followed by an introduction to basic tool operation, demystifying the initial intimidation often associated with these powerful machines.

After covering the essentials, we moved into practical demonstrations. Our goal was to equip participants with tangible skills they could immediately apply in their own home improvement projects. We meticulously demonstrated how to accurately measure, precisely mark, and expertly cut various types of trim. This led into the exciting challenge of installing door casing, creating a beautiful plank wall, fitting baseboards, and tackling the often-intimidating task of crown molding. What truly made the class special was the opportunity for every single person who wanted to, to step up and try these techniques for themselves. Watching women operate a miter saw or handle a nail gun for the very first time, their faces a mixture of concentration and pure excitement, was incredibly rewarding. The room buzzed with focused energy as they took turns mastering these new skills.

Generous Support from Our Sponsors: Ryobi, Home Depot, and Duluth Trading Co.

This empowering workshop would not have been possible without the generous support of our incredible sponsors. Ryobi and Home Depot truly went above and beyond to ensure our class was a resounding success. Home Depot supplied all the necessary materials, from lumber for our mock walls and doorways to various trim pieces, giving our participants real-world items to work with. Ryobi, on the other hand, transformed our classroom into a fully equipped workshop, decking it out with an impressive array of all the power tools we could possibly need—miter saws, nail guns, multi-tools, and more—all readily available for hands-on use. Their commitment to empowering DIYers was evident in every detail.

*A special shout-out is also due to Duluth Trading Co. for letting Brittany and me commandeer their fantastic aprons from their booth for our class! These robust aprons not only added a professional touch but also provided practical protection, making everyone feel ready to tackle any project.*

It was an absolute blast standing shoulder-to-shoulder with women who had never so much as touched a miter saw or nail gun, witnessing the sheer joy and accomplishment on their faces as they confidently tried these tools for the very first time. Each successful cut and perfectly placed nail was met with whoops, cheers, and enthusiastic high-fives.

A well-deserved fist bump for Pamela of PB&J Stories, celebrating her triumph with the nail gun!

The Profound Joy of Empowering Through Education

I can genuinely say that teaching this class was an absolute blast! The energy in the room was electric; the enthusiasm to learn and, more importantly, to *do* was almost palpable. Witnessing the visible empowerment bloom on each woman’s face as they conquered a new skill was profoundly moving. We celebrated every milestone with genuine excitement—whooping and high-fiving after someone made their very first cut on a miter saw in their entire life! These moments of triumph were truly awesome and reinforced why I love what I do.

While I was too engrossed in the teaching to snap any pictures myself during the class, I was incredibly grateful that many of the women in the room captured the experience. At one point, I looked up from demonstrating a technique to find myself staring into a sea of about 20 phone cameras pointed my way. It was a momentarily surreal and slightly weird experience, but I quickly got used to the idea that these women were documenting their journey and their newfound confidence.

From this immersive teaching experience, two significant realizations crystallized for me:

1. The Pure Pleasure of Guiding and Building

   I absolutely adore teaching women to measure, mark, cut, and build! There’s an unparalleled joy that comes from seeing someone genuinely excited to learn something you have to offer. That shared enthusiasm is infectious; it has an incredible power to brighten your day and reinforce the value of sharing knowledge and skills. Connecting with students on that level, watching their eyes light up with understanding and accomplishment, is an incredibly rewarding experience.

2. Authenticity in Teaching: My Dorky, Spastic Self

   I realized that I can be my authentic, dorky, spastic, and often hamming-it-up self, and still be an incredibly effective teacher. This was a comforting revelation, as I’m not sure I could stop being a dork even if I tried! My natural personality seems to foster an approachable and fun learning environment, which in turn helps break down barriers and makes complex tasks seem less intimidating. It proves that authenticity and passion can be powerful teaching tools, regardless of how unconventional one’s style might be.

Connecting with the Community: Faces of Haven

After the class, I asked around for any pictures people had taken, and what I received was a wonderful collection. It almost seemed as though my primary goal at Haven was to pose and make funny faces with as many people as possible, capturing the camaraderie and joy of the event. We dedicated significant time to connecting with attendees, sharing stories, and, of course, taking a lot of pictures with everyone who approached us.

Among the many wonderful people I met and reconnected with, one face might be particularly familiar: KELLY. Not my face, but Kelly’s! She’s not just one of my fantastic clients but has also become my indispensable virtual assistant. Her organizational skills are truly insane, and I honestly *need* her to help me keep everything straight and perfectly ordered. This is probably why she hasn’t posted an update on her own projects recently—I’ve been keeping her far too busy! Clearly, I need to get Kelly an assistant of her own! It was an absolute joy to see her in person and give her the biggest hug. Our professional relationship has blossomed into a wonderful friendship, and meeting face-to-face always reinforces that special bond.

Here are a couple more awesome photos with some truly amazing women who brightened my Haven experience:

With Stephanie of Binkies and Briefcases, a fantastic creator and friend.

And the wonderful Serena of Thrift Diving, another inspiring woman in the DIY space.

Heartfelt Gratitude and Future DIY Resources

I am profoundly grateful to all the incredible ladies who sought me out at various points during the conference. Their overwhelming enthusiasm and heartfelt thanks for the class, along with their genuine reassurance that they did, indeed, learn something valuable, truly touched my heart. I had approximately five hours’ worth of information brimming in my head that I was eager to share, and while I undoubtedly rushed things along to cram as much into the experience as possible, their positive feedback confirmed that our efforts were well-received. Hugs and kisses, ladies! Your eagerness to learn made it all worthwhile.

For those who couldn’t make it to Haven and might be feeling a little left out of all the exciting tips, tricks, and techniques I shared, please stay tuned! I’m currently in the process of writing, photographing, and videotaping it ALL right this very minute to share with you. However, I must caution you not to hold your breath in eager anticipation just yet, as it’s a considerable amount of information to compile and prepare. It may take a little while to get everything perfectly packaged and ready for you, but I promise it will be worth the wait! Expect comprehensive guides and tutorials that mirror the hands-on experience of our Haven class, bringing the power of DIY directly to your screen.

A Star-Struck Moment: Meeting Dave Stone of Kreg Tools

Last but certainly not least, Haven provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with numerous brand representatives. I had the pleasure of meeting some individuals I’ve collaborated with digitally but never in person, alongside new contacts with whom I hope to work in the future. And then, there was *this guy* – Dave Stone with Kreg Tools.

When I shook his hand, a thought immediately struck me: “Man, this guy looks familiar.” However, in the haze of the bustling conference and my own hot, sweaty state, I simply assumed it was because I’d seen his Google+ profile picture linked to his Gmail account, or perhaps from some other online interaction. My brain wasn’t exactly functioning at peak clarity at that moment.

Yes, I genuinely love my Kreg tools (and no, they absolutely do not pay me to say that – my affection is purely organic!). But if you don’t immediately recognize Dave, I urge you to start recording the Woodsmith Shop—it’s my absolute favorite place to learn new things about woodworking. Broadcast on PBS, it’s a treasure trove of expert tips and projects. Dave Stone is a prominent figure on that show, a true master of his craft.

I don’t often get star-struck, but I must admit, I’m still getting over the butterflies from meeting Dave. He was there demonstrating Kreg tools, engaging in friendly chats, meeting attendees, and even giving away Kreg jigs, all while acting like a perfectly normal, everyday person. Hello! It was truly inspiring to see someone with such a high level of expertise remain so approachable and down-to-earth.

I guess, ultimately, we all are just normal everyday people after all. Yet, there’s something undeniably cool about meeting someone who possesses skills you deeply aspire to have, someone you’ve admired from afar on TV, the web, or in a magazine. It makes you realize the potential within yourself and the journey of mastery. Hmmm, perhaps Dave is still getting over *his* butterflies from meeting me too. LOL! HAHAHAHA! Yeah, maybe someday! A girl can dream, right?

For more insights into my Haven adventure, check out these related posts:

Haven Prep: Getting Ready for the Big Event

Beyond Me: The True Spirit of Haven 2013