Press Releases - Women and Tools

WOMEN AND WOODWORKING – A PERFECT MIX!

Toronto ON (February 5, 2008) – It used to be that home renovations were reserved for men; women and tools simply did not mix. Things have certainly changed for the better! Today’s woman enjoys do-it-yourself projects – they’re more keen, more curious and definitely more capable. Not surprisingly, both retailers and manufacturers are taking note.

Also taking note is the 24th Annual Canadian Home Workshop Show (Friday, Feb. 29 – Sunday, March 2 at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga). Canada’s premier woodworking and do-it-yourself consumer event is the place for buying tools, learning from the pros, and for mingling with others passionate about working in wood and home renovation. The show is committed to growing female participation, helping them to embrace the pride and enjoyment that comes with doing things with one’s own hands. The Women’s Woodworking area at the Show has women lining up to build a project using the best in power tools under professional supervision. In fact, 50% of all new woodworker hobbyists are women.

One of the biggest draws at the show is Canada’s most recognizable “Tool Girl”, do-it-yourselfer, Mag Ruffman, host of The Morning Fix on CTV’s Canada AM. Mag’s contagious enthusiasm makes women comfortable about themselves as “handy people with their own personal tool belt.”

Mag Ruffman encourages women to strap on the overalls, pull out the power tools, and get dirty. “After all”, she says with typical impish humor, “Home-Ec is just like the workshop, only quieter.”

Breaking down the barriers of the traditionally male environment is something Mag takes a great deal of pride in. “This is a new frontier for women. 28% of women say they would rather work on something at home than go shopping – a change from their traditional roles,” she says proudly. “It’s becoming that proficiency at home is admired among women even more than the latest fashions.”

The Canadian Home Workshop Show has always appreciated the female demographic, but more than ever they are focused on making women feel welcome and comfortable.

The reality is that anyone – regardless of gender – can enjoy woodworking and home renovations. It’s all about confidence, and the Canadian Home Workshop Show aims to build confidence in women as DIY-ers by providing an environment where they can learn and be inspired.

Mag Ruffman will be on the Main Stage at the Canadian Home Workshop Show at the International Centre, all three days of the show, sharing strategies for woodworking with bamboo, nature’s fastest growing, eco-friendly alternative to hardwood. At the Skil Stage using only basic tools, Mag “jumpstarts” beginners with her unconventional ideas for projects made from gourds, cork, cane, plastic and even automotive butyl. Mag’s fun projects will inspire you with their creative ingenuity!

For further public information, please call 416-218-3545