We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leisel Strickler . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leisel below.
Alright, Leisel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I love being an artist/creative – I wish I had embarked on this journey sooner! I really enjoyed working at an office while figuring out my passion for woodworking. It gave me the stability of a dependable income while still leaving room for creative endeavors in the evenings and on weekends. I was fortunate to be surrounded by people at work and in my personal life that encouraged me to follow my passion. I miss working at an office, but I really thrive tapping into my creative side.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have been interested in woodworking since I was a kid. I didn’t get a chance to really test my skills until I was in my early 20s. My husband and I were newly married and were trying to build our own furniture to save money. What started as a small bench seat turned into falling in love with the craft. I specialized in cutting boards and have just recently branched out into carving coffee scoops.
I hadn’t tried my hand at carving until last year, when my friend sent me videos of someone hand carving a spoon. It looked really relaxing and I knew I wanted to try it. Slowly, I started watching videos and trying out my own design. I realized how much I enjoyed carving in general, but especially carving coffee scoops. I am a coffee fanatic, so it’s been really fun to combine two things I love. If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I’m always willing to try something new. I’m passionate about learning and I believe that even if you specialize in one area, it doesn’t hurt to try out other avenues in your craft. You never know, you might just find your new niche!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
What most people don’t know, is that I’ve struggled with my health throughout my entire woodworking journey. I started woodworking in 2019, but by 2020, I was struggling with a multitude of chronic, autoimmune disorders, including thyroid disease. Woodworking became a solace for me; I tried to focus on all that I could do despite my limitations. It really encouraged me to see my woodworking skills progress, even though I was working slowly and battling health issues. I’m proud of myself for leaning into this and focusing on all that I could do, and not all that I couldn’t do.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Be authentic! I don’t have a large platform by any means, but I have curated a genuine audience by sharing consistently and showing up authentically. People love seeing and hearing about your journey. Keep sharing – even if it feels pointless. Don’t be afraid to talk on camera – share your progress, share your mistakes, and engage with your audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stricklywood.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stricklywoodllc/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@leiselgs