The Way of the Woodshop

In this beautifully illustrated instructional guide, celebrated woodworker Aleksandra Zee offers a masterclass in creating beautiful, unique natural objects, and decorating with wood.

“There's just something about wood. It's an imperfect material with cracks, knots, and irregularities. As an imperfect being, I find that by working with wood and all its inconsistencies, I can also tackle my own.” –Aleksandra Zee

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to master the basics of woodworking in Aleksandra Zee's cozy Bay Area studio. The Way of the Woodshop is a meditative guidebook and a feast for the eyes, an illustrated journey through the joys of working, decorating, and crafting with wood. Packed with gorgeous photography and do-it-yourself projects ranging from easy to advanced, The Way of the Woodshop takes you step by step through the process of creating nesting cutting boards, a blanket ladder, a daybed, a table and bench, and more.

Zee covers the basics, from choosing the right lumber, to understanding different wood types and grains, to curating a tool collection, along with tips on decorating with wood and curating a space that you love. Along the way, she encourages you to tap into your creativity and relish the joys of working with your hands, and she shares lessons from her own empowering journey, as a woman carving out her space in a stereotypically male profession.

Whether you want to decorate your home, create personal gifts, or just love handmade objects, The Way of the Woodshop will inspire you to grab a sander and discover the joy of making!

About the Author

Aleksandra Zee is an Oakland based woodworker with a degree in Fine Arts who got into woodworking after working as a display artist for Anthropologie. She creates and sells original and commissioned pieces, teaches monthly woodshops at her studio in Oakland, and speaks regularly to audiences on her craft. Her work has been featured in San Francisco Gate, Esquire, 7x7 Make Things Well, and on the Urban Outfitters blog.