Welcome to The Log: My Story as The Woods(wo)man
Hi, I’m Jackie Toner, the hands and heart behind Woods(wo)man Woodworking. I didn’t grow up surrounded by sawdust or hand-me-down tools, but I found my passion for woodworking at a point in my life when I needed it most. What began as a creative outlet soon turned into a transformative journey—one that’s shaped not only what I do but who I am.
This craft gave me something I didn’t even realize I was searching for: an escape from the demands of academia, a chance to work with my hands, and a way to create something meaningful from raw, natural materials. Todays Log is all about a blast from the past - showing you some #BTS deets of how I found this medium and my process to today!
From Academia to Aprons
Before woodworking, my life revolved around academia. I was a PhD Candidate, researcher, and instructor at Dalhousie University in the Faculty of Health. My focus was on ergonomics, and my days were filled with teaching, research, and writing. My journey into woodworking started while I was pursuing my Master’s degree in Kinesiology at UNB.
Oh Look - Baby Jackie during her Masters crushing it in the world of Ergonomics
It began with small projects—silhouette cutouts for a local nonprofit, refinishing second-hand furniture, and collecting tools one by one.
My first restoration project back in 2020 (P.S I still have it!)
At first, it was just a way to balance the mental intensity of my academic work with something physical, hands-on, and creative. But over time, it became much more than that.
When I moved to Nova Scotia for my PhD, I found the perfect little house in Windsor, complete with a 1000-square-foot unfinished basement. From the moment I saw it, I knew it could be my workshop. That basement became my sanctuary—a place to experiment, to create, and to let my ideas run wild.
Bare witness to the WORST Charcuterie Boards I ever made - but heck I was trying and learning as I go (Note to Self: We HATE TUNG OIL)
Turning Points: Finding My Groove with Woodturning
About six months after moving to Windsor, my partner Elizabeth and I joined some friends for a series of double-date woodturning classes. I’ll admit it: Elizabeth was better at it than me at first! But instead of discouraging me, it fueled my determination to learn. That challenge turned into a passion, and woodturning quickly became my favorite part of woodworking.
My first projects were small—mainly honey dippers—and there were definitely more “glorious messes” than masterpieces. But every piece taught me something new. I’m entirely self-taught, and I leaned heavily on my research background to experiment, refine my process, and figure out what worked.
So many Honey Dippers....so little time
Over time, I found my style. I began playing with the natural colors of wood, experimenting with lamination techniques, and designing pieces that were functional, whimsical, and full of personality. That’s when everything started to click.
The first ever lamination project I ever made back in 2021 - a Medium sized plant pot that I only wish I had the hindsight back then to keep !
Representation in the Workshop
Being a queer woman in woodworking has come with its own challenges. At markets and craft fairs, people sometimes doubt that I’m the artist behind my work. They ask if my husband helps me (spoiler: I don’t have one), or even suggest that I couldn’t possibly have created these pieces myself.
My first ever Farmers Market I ever did with ever but of product I could muster up! P.S - the table covers were black bed sheets LMAO
It’s frustrating, but it’s also motivating. I started wearing my workshop apron to events as a subtle way of saying, “Yes, I’m the one who made this.” That little visual cue has helped shift people’s assumptions, but more importantly, it’s become a symbol of my presence in a space where representation matters.
The Following Summer I started at the Wolfville Farmers Market Outside and was starting to have my S#$% together (Note the Table Covers ;) )! However, its was here where I would have men come up to me and try to snap my boards in front of me because they couldn't believe I had glued them so well...
My hope is that by showing up authentically, I can help others see that woodworking—and any craft, really—is for everyone. No matter your gender, orientation, or background, there’s space for you in this world.
Practice, Patience, and Perseverance
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from woodworking is the importance of practice. When I first started, I made so many honey dippers I didn’t know what to do with them all. But those repetitive projects taught me the fundamentals of woodturning, from the feel of the tools to the grain of the wood.
Here using a community lathe every free evening I could!
As my skills grew, so did my confidence. I began designing pieces that blended form and function, and I focused on showcasing the natural beauty of the wood itself. Every piece is a collaboration between me and the material—a celebration of its grain, texture, and all-natural color.
Once I got more comfortable spindle turning I quickly started to amp it up a notch!
Life in the Workshop
Today, my workshop is a vibrant, creative space. It’s filled with tools, offcuts waiting to be upcycled, and the smell of coffee that I inevitably let go cold as I work. My days are spent listening to “gay pop,” podcasts, or audiobooks while I turn raw materials into something special.
When I’m not in the shop, I’m indulging in some of my other loves—drag shows, reality TV, sports documentaries, and sweet treats. My little family, which includes my fiancée Elizabeth and our two dogs, keeps life full of love and laughter.
Did you know that all my dogs have been named after Drag Queens? There names are Ru (RuPaul Charles, Trixie (Trixie Mattel) and Yvie (Yvie Oddly)
This is Just the Beginning!
This blog, The Log, is an extension of my journey as The Woods(wo)man and will serve as a space to share my story, my lessons, and my love for woodworking and turning. I’ll take you behind the scenes of my projects, share tips and techniques, and talk about what inspires me to keep creating.
If theres anything you want me to dive into deeper please let me know!