Malaysian woman saves thousands of ringgit making custom-made furniture

Firdaus feels that women can easily do building projects with the right knoweldge and skills. Photos: Firdaus Nejim Al-Asedi

Firdaus Nejim Al-Asedi, 33, never has to worry if she has a faulty cabinet door or a wobbly table at home. That’s because the public relations consultant has been to several DIY carpentry workshops and knows how to handle power tools – at least enough to make simple fixes to her home.

Three years ago, Firdaus signed up for her first DIY carpentry course taught by Aida Ihsani, a woman who holds carpentry workshops in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

Firdaus wanted to explore a new hobby. Today, she has built a three-tier plant shelf, a two-tier chest, and a four-tier shelf where she displays board games like Pictionary, Taboo, and Catan.

She proudly displays these items, which she hand made, in her apartment in Mutiara Damansara, PJ.

Firdaus (left) firmly believes that if men can do carpentry, so can women.

“I love the idea of making things myself. Building something from scratch, with my own hands, brings a profound sense of fulfillment that cannot be replicated. Each measured cut, every meticulously crafted joint, and seeing the final product take shape – it gives me a sense of accomplishment,” says Firdaus.

She is among the growing number of women who are challenging traditional gender stereotypes and enrolling in basic carpentry classes – a skill that has typically been considered to be a man’s domain.

“I firmly believe that if men can do it (carpentry), so can women. Besides, my instructor is a woman. More women are breaking down barriers and pursuing careers or hobbies in fields that were typically thought of as being more suitable for men.

“It’s important to recognise that anyone, regardless of gender, can pursue their interests and develop carpentry skills. With proper training, guidance, and opportunities, women can thrive and succeed in this area.”

Yante says that carpentry courses play a vital role in enabling people to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in carpentry properly. Photo: Aida Ihsani

Yante Ismail, a feminist artist who also attended Aida’s workshop, shares the same sentiment: “The most disabling notion we perpetuate as a society is the myth that certain skills belong exclusively to certain genders or, worse yet, the completely disempowering notion that your ability to learn new skills is limited by your sex.

“The belief that women are incapable of excelling in certain skills purely due to their sex is a fairytale concocted by agents of the patriarchy to control women and curtail their independence.”

With some skill and interest, anyone can learn to build a simple plant rack.Yante says that she was fortunate to grow up in a home where girls were encouraged to learn basic carpentry skills.

“My late father was very skilled in woodworking. From a young age, it was normal for me to create homemade furniture, tools, and home decor. I learned that creating with one’s own hands is valuable,” she says.

Crafted with love

When Firdaus began her carpentry journey, her primary motivation was to create custom-made furniture that perfectly fitted her new apartment.

“DIY carpentry allows you to transform raw materials into functional and beautiful pieces that reflect your vision. There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from knowing that each piece in my home is not only functional but also a reflection of my creativity and hard work.”

Firdaus admits to feeling intimidated when she first signed up for the carpentry classes. Her biggest fear was her lack of knowledge and understanding of the techniques and tools used in carpentry.

Firdaus says building something from scratch with your own hands brings a profound sense of fulfillment that cannot be replicated.“Carpentry involves a range of skills, from measuring and cutting materials to working with complex tools and equipment. I was intimidated because the tools seemed dangerous. I feared that I could injure myself since I was so unfamiliar with tools like nail guns, jigsaws, and chisels.

“However, during the workshop, Aida taught us how to work with all these tools, and the more we used them, the more comfortable we became. She guided us through the various steps involved in crafting items from scratch, always prioritising safety and emphasising it throughout the one-day course. So although I was initially worried about using the tools, once I learnt how to use them correctly, they were not as scary as they seemed.”

Firdaus has attended five DIY carpentry courses with Aida to date, including basic carpentry, bookshelf making and trolley making.

“As I grew more comfortable with wood and tools, my confidence in creating custom-made furniture increased. It’s interesting to see the progression in my carpentry skills.”

Making furniture through carpentry can be a cost-effective way to save money too, says Firdaus.

When Firdaus began her carpentry journey, her primary motivation was to create custom-made furniture that perfectly fit her new apartment.“By crafting furniture myself, I have saved on the expense of purchasing ready-made pieces from stores. Additionally, I have control over the choice of materials, allowing me to select more affordable options without compromising quality. By constructing my own simple furniture, I have saved thousands of ringgit.”

“My next projects are creating a bedside table, a TV console table, and a sofa frame for my apartment. Thanks to the workshops, I have also learned how to fix faulty furniture. Perhaps in the future, I can refurbish or upcycle existing furniture to extend their lifespan. DIY carpentry enables significant savings while providing the satisfaction of creating unique, personalised furniture.”

“There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from knowing that each piece in my home is not only functional but also a reflection of my creativity and hard work.”

Artistic touch

Yante, who already possesses basic woodworking skills, signed up for a course to enhance her skills for her work as an artist.

Anyone regardless of gender, can pursue their interests and develop skills in carpentry. Photo: Aida Ihsani“I have dabbled in constructing minor items, usually as part of my art projects, such as building structures for my clay sculptures, making boxes and crates using wood. However, this workshop by Aida was the opportunity I had been waiting for to start from the basics and, hopefully, progress to more professional finishes for my projects.”

Yante emphasises the importance of carpentry courses in teaching people the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in carpentry properly.

“This includes something as simple as knowing the right way to drill a hole in the wall so that it is safe and structurally sound. I was glad to gain hands-on experience using a variety of tools and learning what tool to use for a specific task. I am generally excited to try out any power tool, to be honest. But before the workshop, I was particularly thrilled about the jigsaw, as I could immediately see its many uses for my art projects.”

“I was also grateful for Aida’s suggestions regarding the tools we could invest in for ourselves. Since my late father passed away, I don’t have anyone I feel comfortable in asking such basic questions. Having someone like Aida to turn to, especially as a woman in a traditionally male field, makes it even more meaningful.”