Today we’d like to introduce you to Char Miller-King.
Hi Char, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I enjoy creating things with my hands and inspiring others to create the life they want to live. Why did I choose woodworking you might ask? It all started shortly after I undergrad, my friend and I moved to a huge apartment on the posh side of town. We desperately needed beds, we went to all the savvy shopper stores, BIG LOTS, Goodwill. I saw a platform bed in my future to compliment the Asian-inspired theme décor I planned. And then, I saw it. The simple yet expensive platform bed at an upscale furniture store. It was far out of my reach but for some
Then, I saw it. The simple yet expensive platform bed at an upscale furniture store. It was far out of my reach, but for some reason, I kept going back to the store, maybe the money was going to fall from the sky or they would gift the bed to me because I’m a nice person. Clearly, none of that happened. After the fifth trip to the store, I was literally under the bed investigating how it was constructed. Then. A light bulb went off. I.CAN.BUILD.THIS.
I immediately called my carpenter-extraordinaire uncle to inquire on what was required to make it happen. It was simple, some pine wood and screws. He suggested I go to Home Depot and have them make precision cuts. I purchased a battery-powered Black and Decker screwdriver and borrowed a drill from my manager. It took me three months in my bedroom apartment to build this bed. YouTube had not come about yet and Google was not what it is today. I relied solely on logic. When I tell you I had no idea what I was doing, that is an understatement, I was committed to finishing what I started.
Once I was done, it was the best feeling in the world to know that I built something and I could enjoy it every night. I slept on that bed for the next five years.
That one thing ignited the fire inside me and oh my word, I realized I love power tools.
My next apartment had a garage attached (that never happens, right?) and get this, it was across the street from Lowe’s. Okay, this is definitely a sign. This is too perfect. Every paycheck I earned would go straight to Lowe’s (after paying bills, of course). First, it was a circular saw, then a jig saw, router table. If I was in the middle of a project and ran out of screws, I’d close the garage and run across the street, saw dusted hair and clothes. The manager soon started giving me his discount, since I was there so often. My nights and weekends were spent in the garage.
One of the fondest memories I have of those early days is the workbench I built. It is still in use today.
What is a Maven anyway? According to my friends over at Merriam-Webster. A maven is one who is experienced or knowledgeable. A person who can speak for hours on a particular topic. When it comes to woodworking, there is no shutting me up.
While I’ve been tinkering with wood and the like for several years, I wouldn’t call myself an expert or a professional. At this stage, I know a little about a lot and what I do know, I want to share every bit of it. There is someone somewhere in the world that has a passion they would like to follow. Maybe it’s woodworking, maybe it’s something completely different. Like many of us Internet lurkers, I’ve spent eons learning and searching the web for nuggets of knowledge and this blog is a small way of giving back a small portion of what has been given to me.
Currently, you can find me teaching woodshop to children and adults at Decatur Makers, a makerspace in Atlanta. As well as teaching across the country at schools such as Penland School of Craft. I have worked as a content creator for brands such as Rockler, Home Depot, and Power Pro. As well as appeared on This Old House and Magnolia Network and in numerous commercials and magazines such as GMC, Carhartt, and Popular Woodworking. I’ve been highlighted by the likes of Ask This Old House and the Woodworking Journal. As well as spoken at conferences such as WorkbenchCon, Haven and serving on the board with HatchSpace in Battleboro, Vermont and Decatur Makers in Atlanta, Georgia.
The people closest to me call me Char. I grew up in sunny California, spending my days running on the sandy beaches. As any young adult would do after living a structured life, I flew the nest and landed in Georgia. And like most good girls, we meet an intelligent and sophisticated man in college and then decide to create a happily ever after with them. My junior year, I met my now husband and our love has spawned four adorable and extremely witty children, the youngest of the brood are our twins. Between the hilarity of their personalities and organizing their schedules and personalities of my babies, I try to find time to pursue my passion(s), In my spare time, I also enjoy decorating cakes and photography.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey to becoming the Wooden Maven has not been easy. The curves along the way force me appreciate the process and have a testimony to share. When someone has “arrived”, the desire to feel as though you earned it is incomparable. It helps to negate the feelings of Imposter Syndrome, realizing you paid your dues and worked earnestly to be in the position you are in.
While I was searching for my position in the white male-dominated feel, I felt insecure and lacking talent in comparison to them. There was one incident that shifting my mindset. At the beginning a kids woodshop class, I presented a prototype of a simple project. One of the male volunteers examined it and pointed out all things that were “wrong” and immediately began to dismantle it and rebuild it. There was a brief moment of inferiority and extreme disappointment. At that moment, I decided if “this” was my path in life, I needed to grow thick skin and I would never give anyone else the power to make me feel this one. My femineity and blackness would be the thing most celebrated about me not the thing that made me less than. In time, my work would become better and while there will always be stereotypes, I know my purpose and will move forward with every fiber of my being.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a woodworker. I lend my love of woodworking to create meaningful pieces for others. I use my passion to share to teach children and adults how to use power tools. I tinker a lot in my shop. I am a self-professed power tool addict.
My specialty is teaching. True woodworking can be overwhelming and honestly quite boring. I bring the fun to creativity, instilling confidence to use loud and powerful tools, the freedom to make mistakes and a comforting smile to encourage you to do something you never saw yourself doing.
Most people know me as a kid’s shop teacher, teaching young people brings my heart joy. Tools can be intimidating, if I can help someone overcome their fear, I am pleased. While teaching children is my favorite, young girls using tools is unmatched. Today’s climate sends mixed messages to girls, fixated on looks, fitting in and not being enough. I like to lead by example.
I am most proud of being able to use God-given talents to amplify others.
What sets me apart from others is I am a black female shop teacher, besides the exterior profile, there is a maker who desires to give hope, confidence, and joy.
What were you like growing up?
I was always an entrepreneur. Setting up stationery shops in my bedroom with my mother as my only loyal customer. I tried every sport and was a part of many social clubs. I loved experiences and still do, so I collect as many as I can.
I played basketball and even went to the State Championships and won twice! I was class president my senior year and on the Prom court. I was quite studious, dedicated to straight A’s, especially in AP courses and studying French.
My youth was filled with volleyball, baton, drill team, Girl Scouts, and modeling. My love for media was also birthed during my formative years.
I was selected as the first Kid Beat Reporter for the inaugural season of the WBNA. which meant courtside seats at the L.A. Sparks’ games, interviewing the players like Lisa Leslie and reporting on 92.3 The Beat the next day.
Contact Info:
- Website: thewoodenmaven.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodenmaven/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYZ0RWjxPMff427xIrWy1rQ
