
Get to Know Katie Freeman

Katie Freeman on her passion for sharing the stories of people traditionally not included in the trades, along with practical advice on “mastering” woodworking!
Katie Freeman on her passion for sharing the stories of people traditionally not included in the trades, along with practical advice on “mastering” woodworking!
I grew up with a home filled with pieces of furniture made by my great-great-grandfather and I felt deeply connected them. I started experimenting with woodworking in my early 20’s and then took it more seriously by taking woodworking and design classes as a hobby and it took off from there.
I love that it allows me to constantly learn new skills and have complete agency over my body and my choices. It is a constant journey of problem solving and the end result is based just on my skills and learning process.
Power carving is by far what I do the most of these days, though I do regularly keep my fine furniture making skills honed through teaching classes and mentoring people locally.
Yes, I do create projects for my own home, though they tend to be slow going. Right now, I am working on transforming our basement into a gamer paradise through wall mounting a television and creating a custom Nintendo themed cabinet system for holding all the gaming consoles.
Through sharing both my project successes and failures on social media while being unapologetically myself. I also host and produce a podcast focused on interviewing makers, artists, and tradespeople that identify as female, trans, or nonbinary.
Circular saw, jigsaw, drill, impact driver – you can create pretty much anything with these four tools.
I do not feel like I have mastered it. That is what I love, even as I get more years and skills under my belt, I don’t think you can ever truly “master” this trade.
I am most proud about helping break down the fear of getting started [in the trades] for other women and those in traditionally marginalized communities.
I feel like there are so many I could name here, truly. I have had the honor with my podcast of talking with almost 300 women, trans, and nonbinary people who are creating a world I can believe in. However, I feel like there is one that completely changed my trajectory and that is Char Miller-King. I tell her often that she is changing the world for the better. She has inspired so many already and will inspire so many more.