About Doolin Woodworking

Hi there, I’m Wendy Doolin and welcome to Doolin Woodworking!

Doolin Woodworking specializes in bringing custom woodworking projects to life. The majority of the custom pieces I build start from a concept sketch or a verbal idea provided by my client. From there, we work together to create their custom woodworking project. Be sure to check out my portfolio page to see some of my custom pieces.

If you are interested in creating some of my furniture and woodworking pieces, check out my furniture plans for more information.

Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook to see the progress of my current woodworking projects. Information on my Instagram and Facebook pages can be found at the bottom of this page.

How I Became a Woodworker

I have always had an interest in woodworking. As a young child, I loved watching my Dad in his workshop. We would also sit for hours watching This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop. And, for the record… Norm Abram is my hero! While I was fascinated by the process of woodworking, I never considered pursuing the interest.

Fast-forward about 25 years, my husband and I were just starting our family and money was tight. I so badly wanted a couple of simple chairs for our front porch. All we could afford were a couple of cheap plastic chairs that wouldn’t last more than one summer. This bothered me so much that I went online a found plans to build a simple wooden chair. I printed the plans and took them to my Dad with the full intent of learning how to build these chairs.

For the same cost of two plastic chairs, I was able to build two chairs and a little end table. They were far from perfect and the little end table had a twist in it, but I was so proud of these pieces. I never in a million years thought building these basic chairs would be the start of my woodworking venture. Oh, by the way, they are still on my front porch.

Facing Fears and Entering the Unknown

For the past 20 years, I worked as a music teacher in the public school system. As an educator, I struggled to balance work-life and family. I would often come home from work too exhausted to be there for my family. I also hated that I only had time for woodworking on winter break and summer vacation.

My passion for music education had long since been replaced with a passion for woodworking, and I knew it was time to make a career change. However, the thought of leaving a career I had dedicated 20 years and two college degrees was frightening. But, I faced my fears and, in September of 2020, I resigned from my job as a music teacher and entered the waters of becoming a woodworker. Now, I get to do what I love and be there for those I love most, every… single…day.

Mark Twain said it best “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Thanks for stopping by!