Carpentry Coach LLC

08/30/2026

What an incredible Power Tools for Women course last weekend! 8 intrepid women learned to use circular saw, table saw, chop saw, drills, impact drivers, palm sanders and more. They came together quickly in laughter and teamwork, keeping one another safe, consulting on design, and getting sweaty with two 8+ days of work. I am thrilled with what they built, both inside themselves and of course the camp chairs that turned out beautifully. Thanks to Stone River Institute for hosting the class!

To get added to the Carpentry Coach class announcement list, email [email protected]!

08/14/2026

Hello Carpentry Coach followers!

This is not carpentry related, but it IS building related. In one of my (several) other jobs, I teach wilderness skills and nature connection with the LEAF program.

Over the course of 9 weekends from Sept thru May, in the peaceful mountains of Afton, VA, we build competence, we build resilience, we build survival skills. We build peacemakers and basket weavers and folks who enjoy the forest whether it's wet or dry, whether they are alone or with others. We build community--how refreshing to hang out around a fire with other nature nerds and forest lovers.

Check it out--our next cohort starts mid September. I've been doing this for a dozen years now and I can't tell you how fulfilling it is to support folks on their journey of transformation. "Let the wilderness do the work."

08/10/2026

Still a couple spots left in a Power Tools for Women course I'm teaching in Afton two weeks from now! Build a camp chair with salvaged pallet wood, in a supportive, patient environment. I'm your guide--safety conscious, enthusiastic, and eager to empower folks with the skills of a builder! Non-binary folks welcome.

Share onward!

Learn to salvage wood otherwise destined for a dumpster and then safely use power tools to create something useful and beautiful!

07/28/2026

Had an awesome time teaching two workshops at the Cville Tool Library: hand tools, and power tools!

Check out my intro to power tools for women class coming up in a few weeks--link and posting on my page!

06/23/2026

Hello folks! See my Carpentry Coach page for 3 summer workshops that I've posted links to! I know that at least one of them is almost full, so secure your spot. :)

05/29/2026

Hello friends of Carpentry Coach! After a few years’ hiatus at a desk job and healing some elbow tendinitis, I’m back in action and lovin it! I’m teaching carpentry classes, working with clients, and generally loving life. 🙂

Save the date!
POWER TOOLS FOR WOMEN: Build a Camp Chair with Salvaged Pallet Wood!

August 22-23, Nelson County VA
(registration will open in mid June—email [email protected] to be alerted)

Learn to salvage wood otherwise destined for a dumpster and then safely use power tools to create something useful and beautiful. Do these skills sound like life-empowering game changers? Yes! Are many women still on the outside of world of carpentry? Yes. This workshop aims to demystify these skills and empower women. Seasoned mentor and carpenter Erin “Soupy” Campbell will guide participants in building their unique version of a portable camp “X” chair made from salvaged pallet wood. You’ll leave not only with their chair, but with increased competence to tackle your own home repairs and creative projects.

No tool experience necessary! We’ll cover:
Basic measuring and marking technique
Safety equipment and emphasis on safety practices
How to determine hard vs soft wood, and which to use when
Power vs hand tool usage

Power tools taught:
Drill
Impact driver
Circular saw
Chop saw
Table saw
Jig saw
Palm sander
Sewing machine (for those who want a cloth seat back)

Each participant’s chair will be unique, depending on the wood you’ve salvaged and your own design decisions and creative flourishes. You might finish their chair and have time for adding a stain, building a second chair or another project. There will be plenty of pallets and scrap wood available, and Soupy will also have plans on hand for bluebird boxes, floating shelves and corner shelves.

05/26/2023

Great May project--coaching a family in building a tent platform in their backyard! All four kids ages 8-16 involved, picking up skills fast and pushing the project to completion.

Want a taste of this? Sign up for Creative Carpentry on Sat June 3 to learn tool basics and go home with something you've made yourself. Only 2 spots left!

https://broadforkfarm.net/events/

05/17/2023

Monday's Rustic Furniture class was FANTASTIC! Multiple times throughout the day a student would randomly exclaim, "This is SO FUN!" Love the enthusiasm.

Only 3 spots left in Creative Carpentry on Sat June 3, plus lots of wonderful crafting/earth skills options on Sunday June 4 (baskets, fire by friction, bone and antler creations)--register to secure your spot! https://broadforkfarm.net/events/

05/02/2023

Hello friends! A reminder that I'm teaching carpentry and crafting the weekend of June 3-4 just south of Richmond! Go home with something you've made yourself that you'll use and love.

- Saturday: Intro to Creative Carpentry
- Sunday: Bones, Baskets and Bowdrill!
- Sliding scale pricing
- Bring a friend, your kid or just yourself
- Worth the drive to hang with other creative people on the beautiful family-operated Broadfork Farm! Camping available

For more details, photos and registration go here or message me!
https://broadforkfarm.net/events/