A woman's way to craftwomanship: how VET chose me

© 2020, Anna Kędziorek SiDeSign

My journey in restoration and carpentry began all the way back in my childhood. Growing up in a family of carpenters of three generations,I have been taking part in my father's workshop since I was a little child. My favourite toys had been hammer and nail ever since I was able to hold them. I learned traditional veneering, varnishing, using carpentry machines and hand tools. No one has ever thought of me, a girl, being my dad's successor in such a manly field. I took up studies, went to work as a teacher in an international school but my passion for beauty enchanted in wood prevailed guiding my steps against societal adversities towards my own workshop.

I was lucky to have learned the skills organically by assisting my father in his work. He had taught me the way of glue preparation, the movements of the body while hand veneering, the gentelness of the varnishing, the behaviour of lumber on the machines, the physics of hand tools.

As a woman, I had to convince the society that I am a trustworthy craftsperson. In my workshop I focus on preserving the traditional techniques of restoration and carpentry hoping to pass it to others, women, girls, who feel caftswomanship is their passion.