Gender fluid shedding comes to Mullum: open day

Ever wanted to try your hand at a little woodwork but not sure where to begin? Or perhaps you’re an experienced hand who would like a space to work that has the tools and a few people to bounce ideas off? Whatever your skill, even if you have never laid a hand on any tools before, the Shedding Community Workshop in Mullumbimby is the place to get hands on and they are having an open day this Saturday December 1 10am to 3pm.

And no, this is not a men’s shed, it is not a women’s shed – it is an all-inclusive shed.

There are so many people who just want to get involved and make things and it doesn’t matter if you are young, old, male, female or anywhere in between shedding organiser Sophie Wilksch said.

‘We’re in contact and have the support of the mens and womens sheds but there are lots of gender fluid people in this area or people who just want to be in a creative space where they can make things and that’s what we are creating.

Open Day

‘There will be workshops, demonstrations, games and competitions for young and old,’ said Sophie.

‘At the Shedding open day we are very excited to collaborate with other local “Shedders”. Stan Ceglinski  from Billinudgel Woodworking Company will be giving us a foot-stomping performance on his self-made box guitars.’

Other local woodworkers including Patt Gregory from Woodwork for Women, Marcia Gibbs and Sophie Heard of Sophie’s Spoon will also be sharing their knowledge with participants on the day. Donna Byer, a local mosaicer, will also be chipping away, with the opportunity for you to get involved.

Friday regular

Since August the Shedding Community Workshop have been running free UPSKILL workshops that introduces participants to the workshop and tools so they can attend the regular Friday afternoon workshops.

‘Some of participants had never touched a hand-tool or a power-tool before they entered the workshop. Now they are measuring and squaring timbers, clamping and sawing (with our delicate Japanese pull-saw, if they’re lucky!) and drilling and screwing softwoods and hardwoods. They are making signs and shelves, tables and walls – pulling things apart and up-cycling them into something else,’ said Sophie enthusiastically.

‘At Shedding, we have begun to realise that the skills that we are sharing are not only in the field of carpentry and building. We are teaching our Shedders to be curious, to make mistakes and be inquisitive about them. They learn to trust their own intuition, and be motivated to problem-solve. We love when our students see how capable their bodies are, and realise, “I can do this!”’

For more information on shedding for everyone check out the community shedding workshop on Facebook.