Womens Sheds

[Chief Tiff]

“Women’s Shed’s” do exist; I am affiliated with the Gin-Gin Women’s Woodworking Guild who have an enviable range of tooling available to them. The funding was supplied by the local regional council who also supports the Gin-Gin Men’s Shed; both organisations have purchased good quality tooling such as Laguna.

[Mr Fiddleback]

“Women’s Shed’s” do exist; I am affiliated with the Gin-Gin Women’s Woodworking Guild who have an enviable range of tooling available to them. The funding was supplied by the local regional council who also supports the Gin-Gin Men’s Shed; both organisations have purchased good quality tooling such as Laguna.

So do the women get tools AND have their own dedicated shed like the blokes?
Mr Fiddleback

[Chief Tiff]

So do the women get tools AND have their own dedicated shed like the blokes?
Mr Fiddleback

Yes.

[Mr Fiddleback]

Yes.

Good stuff
Thanks for the positive post Chief Tiff
Mr Fiddleback

[Chris Parks]

Like Bob I have had dealings with Mens Sheds over the last ten years but even when asked I refuse to join for my own reasons which don't need explanation. Why Mens Sheds predominantly end up as woodworking or metal working centric is a bit of a mystery but I know one that started out that way and now has other interests which would also suit women and some of those interests would be classed as primarily for women. I know my local shed has looked at the idea of having separate days for both but the place is not set up for any other activities beyond WW & MW and I am not sure the interest amongst the ladies of this town would be there. Having said that I am always astounded by the number of women who attend woodworking courses when they have to opportunity so I might be wrong in my assumption.

On to a really touchy subject and that is the direct interaction sometimes required in teaching manual arts skills. A lot of men are very wary of direct interaction between themselves and women because of the possibility of how direct physical contact can be interpreted, this is also the case between men and children but that is not the issue here.

[Bohdan]

On to a really touchy subject and that is the direct interaction sometimes required in teaching manual arts skills. A lot of men are very wary of direct interaction between themselves and women because of the possibility of how direct physical contact can be interpreted, this is also the case between men and children but that is not the issue here.

On the same issue I was working at a TAFE college that had a welding dept. One of the female apprentices cried sexual harrasment when the instructor corrected her stick welding angles by grasping her wrists from behind and adjusting the angle. She did that with every instructor until in the end they all refused to have anything to do with her. I think that she lost her apprenticeship as there was no way to teach her "safely".

[Mr Fiddleback]

On the same issue I was working at a TAFE college that had a welding dept. One of the female apprentices cried sexual harrasment when the instructor corrected her stick welding angles by grasping her wrists from behind and adjusting the angle. She did that with every instructor until in the end they all refused to have anything to do with her. I think that she lost her apprenticeship as there was no way to teach her "safely".

Maybe she would have been more comfortable with a female tutor.
I am certain there was a way to teach her safely
Highlights the importance for women to have their own space and perhaps their own mentors of choice as well
Let's not be too judgemental
Mr Fiddleback

[Lappa]

No Mr Fiddleback. Let’s not get too judgemental..

[Mr Fiddleback]

No Mr Fiddleback. Let’s not get too judgemental..

LOL...thanks for the advice...LOL
Mr Fiddleback

[Mr Fiddleback]

'Mens Sheds' are popping up all over the place,which is great..but what about the idea of 'Womens Sheds',as they too(women) enjoy woodwork/craft etc!And they too need and deserve a place to unwind and be creative and social .Just thought i'd put the idea out there,hope it comes to fruition..Cheers MM

This is the OP...quote,
'need and deserve a place to unwind and be creative and social'
Simple!
Doesn't have to be affiliated with the Men's Sheds either
Just their own space...to meditate/play cards/garden/watch movies/woodcraft/music etc etc...that's the essence of the thread

Mr Fiddleback

[Bushmiller]

This is the OP...quote,
'need and deserve a place to unwind and be creative and social'
Simple!
Doesn't have to be affiliated with the Men's Sheds either
Just their own space...to meditate/play cards/garden/watch movies/woodcraft/music etc etc...that's the essence of the thread

Mr Fiddleback

Mr Fiddleback

I am smiling because if SWMBO were here in front of the computer screen she would now have a stream of steam issuing from her ears that could power a turbine capable of driving a generator to supply the whole street with electricity: To put it into perspective, it is only a small street with meagre demands.

We would then be treated to a chorous of "Typical. This is a bunch of men telling a bunch of women what they want!" Actually the bunch of women (well perhaps one petal at least) have already pointed out that what we think they want is not necessarily what they do want.

From earlier posts:

"
Someone upthread noted that there were some places for women to go, create (pottery, drawing and various crafts mentioned)
Not to demean these activities ( I like to throw pots) there still does not seem to be much action on Women's woodworking sheds.
Lack of interest or lack of experienced mentors to facilitate such a thing?"

and then in case we still didn't get it.

"It's a bit of a stereotype to think that women's needs in that way are already taken care of by some "sisterhood" in book clubs and pottery classes.
Could I dare go out on a limb and say that women who have done, or want to do real woodwork are not necessarily the type to bond well with the book clubbers.
Women are often in much the same headspace as men when they retire from a long career, their kids have gone "and their husbands just don't understand" why they are not happy now they've put the mouse or stethoscope or pliers down for good
Just like men, they find they've lost contact with the world.
They need friends and purpose too."

I have to admit that I am as prejudiced as the next male and categorise women in stereotypical manner until I am confronted by the realities. However there are some generalities that hold true. I chose a welder for my last birthday present, being something of a milestone, but one sister in law commented "each to his own."

I think the main thing is that we have to listen.

Regards
Paul

PS: I have known women who throw pots, but fortunately in the past, at least, I have been quite accomplished at ducking.

[BobL]

Could I dare go out on a limb and say that women who have done, or want to do real woodwork are not necessarily the type to bond well with the book clubbers.

You could but had to laugh when I read it.
One of our female friends is a member of SWMBO's book club and she also has a very impressive workshop that I helped set up in 2013
Not my shed but I get to set it up and play.

Since then some of the machinery has been upgraded to semi pro level stuff.
Sandi is a very capable wood worker; creative, careful, efficient, safety conscious, and a general delight to work with - next month I'll be going down to see them again and help them upgrade their DC system.
Sandi is no shrinking violet but I'd be happy to work all day with her compared to most of the blokes at the mens shed.

BTW she also is a potter.

[astrid]

You could but had to laugh when I read it.
One of our female friends is a member of SWMBO's book club and she also has a very impressive workshop that I helped set up in 2013
Not my shed but I get to set it up and play.

Since then some of the machinery has been upgraded to semi pro level stuff.
Sandi is a very capable wood worker; creative, careful, efficient, safety conscious, and a general delight to work with - next month I'll be going down to see them again and help them upgrade their DC system.
Sandi is no shrinking violet but I'd be happy to work all day with her compared to most of the blokes at the mens shed.

BTW she also is a potter.

FWIW, I'm all of book clubber, potter and woodworker.
Doesn't mean the book clubbers and woodworkers among us have much in common , nor the potters. I think I'm the only woman in my pottery class prepared to get really dirty and enthusiastically embrace the wheel