Many girls have tried their hand at ceramic art, with 8 out of 10 having some experience in it. However, it’s rare to find even one girl out of 10 who has given woodworking a go. Despite being a traditional and primitive art form that utilizes natural materials like wood to create different products, woodworking is often associated with being a more masculine and construction-oriented craft. The process can also be physically demanding and sweaty. However, with the evolution of society, woodworking has become more gender-neutral, and girls can also try their hand at it. For example, woodturning is a craft that is particularly suited to girls starting out. By learning to use a wood lathe and chisels, they can create small wooden items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, the most challenging aspect of learning new woodturning for girls is not necessarily technical control. As mentioned earlier, starting with small wooden products doesn’t require as much physical strength as people might imagine, and most girls can handle it. Instead, the most challenging aspect of learning woodworking for girls is needing more confidence and courage than others. They may need to ignore the curious looks of others or the concerns of their parents. If I were to tell my parents that I wanted to learn woodworking, they would probably have a more traditional mindset and think that it’s dangerous and not suitable for girls. Even though they wouldn’t stop me, I’d still have to believe in myself and my abilities and take the first step in trying it out. I believe that girls can enjoy the fun of woodworking and appreciate the beauty of woodworking art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are currently several woodworking experience courses available in Hong Kong, including White Dog Workshop, Woodout, and CornerCrafts, which are particularly suited to girls with no prior woodworking experience. These courses teach the characteristics of various woods, such as hinoki, pine, walnut, or zelkova, with over 10 different types and different grades of quality. Each type also boasts unique grain patterns and colours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Participants will also have the chance to experience using a wood lathe and chisels. The wood lathe has a serene base with a track, headstock, tool rest, and tailstock. The wood is clamped onto the headstock, and the rotating principle is used to process it with the chisels held by hand. Participants will also learn how to use precision measuring tools to craft their wooden products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to hands-on woodworking, the workshops also cover post-treatment and protection, including the use of wood oils and post-production protection for wooden handicrafts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n