Welcome back to Meet the Maker, where we spotlight remarkable woodworkers and DIYers who continue to inspire us with their passion, craftsmanship, and dedication. Today, we're excited to introduce you to someone truly exceptional: ToolGirlsGarage, otherwise known as Sarah. Check out this quick snapshot of her life as a creator and make sure to follow her on social media to stay up to date with her most recent woodworking projects.
How did you get into woodworking?
I was so lucky to be raised around construction in general, not a lot of people have that experience and I know it inspired me a lot. Woodworking happened to be the discipline I enjoyed the most, so it was easy to focus in on it. Once I got a bit older it really transformed from a hobby to something I could truly make a living from.
What did you do before going woodworking full-time?
I had a variety of jobs in my life! From a full-time student to a property manager, customer service, and sales. My most important role is mom though! I think I took a little of all of those things into my business too.
What does woodworking mean to you? How does it add value to your life personally?
I really went headfirst into woodworking after I had kids. I think for me the combination of the structural components with the sensory experiences really made it something I enjoyed and found comfort in. I often say woodworking is as much therapy as it is a business.
What is your all-time favorite project you have completed?
Gosh! This is always so hard to answer! The long and short of it is, almost every project holds a special place in my heart. A few that stand out woodworking-wise is definitely the massive 9-foot dresser I built, it's navy with gold hardware, walnut wood, and brass dowels, it was a total stunner to put together! Another is the pecan coffee table and bench. They’re very modern and streamlined, and pecan is a wood that is so often underutilized!
What is one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned during your woodworking journey?
Just do. Sometimes we make mistakes and it’s easy to get caught up in that, but you just can’t. Mistakes are how we learn – once you really accept that and treat those “whoops” moments as opportunities you can really grow. Your journey is going to be different than everyone else’s, so you have to prepare for that too.
You’ve had experience in television and entertainment. What have been some of your favorite highlights on that side of the journey?
Ya know, the great thing about working on TV projects is definitely the amazing people you meet along the way. Both the people I worked with on the show and the families we got to work with were just amazing. It was such a humbling experience to be involved in such a huge part of their lives, especially given the history of the homes we worked on!
