Empower Me Series:
Women’s Basic Carpentry Workshop
2-Day Hands-On Workshop | $375 per person | Groups of 3–10
Discover your strength, build your confidence, and learn practical carpentry skills in this empowering 2-day, hands-on workshop designed specifically for beginners or anyone who wants to feel more comfortable using tools. This class will teach you the fundamentals of safe, confident woodworking while you complete one meaningful project you can proudly take home.
This supportive, judgment-free environment ensures every participant learns at their own pace, builds confidence with every cut, and discovers the joy of creating something with their own hands.
What You’ll Learn
- Tool and workshop safety
- Basic carpentry vocabulary
- Measuring tips and how to measure to 1/16th of an inch
- Types of cuts and techniques to cut like a pro
- Using power tools (drill/driver, saws, clamps & more) like a pro
- Basic joinery types for assembling your projects
- Types of fasteners, bits and drivers
- How to choose materials & source lumber affordably
- Sanding, finishing methods and products
- Sourcing tools on a budget
What You'll Build
- A project to take home (shelf, birdhouse)
No Experience? No Tools? No Problem!
You don't need to own tools, know how to operate a saw, or understand carpentry terminology before you arrive. All tools and materials will be provided.
This Workshop Is For You If..
- Have little or no experience using power tools
- Want to feel more confident tackling projects around the house
- Have tools at home but aren't completely comfortable using them
- Want to learn basic woodworking and carpentry skills
- Have always wanted to learn but didn't know where to start
- Want a fun, practical experience with other beginners
Investment: $375 (Tools, materials & handouts provided)
Gather Your Group & Schedule Your Own Workshop
You don't have to wait for the next scheduled class!
Gather a group of 3–10 women, and we'll work together to schedule a private two-day Women’s Basic Carpentry Workshop.
Bring your:
Friends • Sisters • Daughters • Coworkers • Women's Group • Club or Organization
It can also make a unique girls' weekend, mother/daughter experience, or team-building activity.
About Your Instructor
Bonnie Slykhuis brings a lifetime of hands-on carpentry experience and a deep passion for empowering others through skill-building and creativity.
Her carpentry journey began with buying and restoring a 1930s home, where she learned firsthand how to repair, remodel, and problem-solve with real tools and real materials. Over the years, she has helped family and friends with remodels, new construction, and repair projects, gaining practical knowledge that only comes from doing the work yourself. Bonnie has also pursued formal training, including Timber Framing and Tiny House Construction, blending traditional techniques with modern building approaches.
One of Bonnie’s favorite ways to work is through what she calls “scrap wood projects.” Around her property, she regularly upcycles and repurposes whatever materials are available—turning leftover wood into useful, functional creations. This philosophy carries into her classes, where students learn how to build confidently without needing expensive tools or materials.
Alongside her building experience, Bonnie brings a strong instructional foundation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and a Master’s degree in Training & Development / Adult Education, and has spent 25 years as a trainer and consultant designing and delivering customized, hands-on learning programs.
Her teaching style is supportive, practical, and encouraging—creating a safe, fun environment where beginners can learn at their own pace, gain confidence, and proudly say, “I built that.”
