Learn
Learn
Our Participants
Become a Participant
What
Who
Why
How
Calendar
Shop Talk
Community Projects
Our Participants
People come from all over Austin to participate in the Women.Design.Build community. Together, we learn new skills, discover our interests, and make new friends.
images of participants at workshops
I came as more of an observer and to meet people.
I am happy that I made a frame. I think I can see myself on the blade end of the saw more now than just the
catcher.
Become a Participant
What is a WDB participant?
A Women.Design.Build participant is anyone who wants to learn more about the trades of design and building in a collaborative, hands-on environment.
Who can be a WDB participant?
Anyone! Women and men of all ages and experiences are welcome to be involved in any of our programs.
Why become a WDB participant?
Because we offer a supportive environment for you to learn something new, meet new friends, and have fun!
I enjoyed your class as I have never
actually made anything on my own. I have a fear of things that cut, this is
a start for me.
People attend our workshops to learn new skills, refine old ones, and to connect with a community of like-minded folks. Whatever the reason, we strive to provide a creative environment for everyone to explore their interests.
How can I become a WDB participant?
Calendar
Shop Talk
Come to our next Shop Talk! Check the calendar to see what's coming up. Did you miss a past event? Then click on the workshops listed below to view a summary of what was discussed.
Community Projects
Out Youth
Women.Design.Build will be teaming up with Out Youth to transform their garage into a usable space for group meetings, counseling, and general hanging out. WDB participants will have the opportunity to learn new design and construction skills by taking part in each phase of the renovation. More info to come.
Lead
Lead
Our Leaders
Sarah Stacey: Ecologique Design
Amy VanDerLee: etsy
Natalie Ready: Eastside Woodworks
Maggie McIntosh: Moontower
Kristen Von Minden and Eve Trester-Wilson: MAKEatx
Become a Leader
What
Who
Why
How
Our Leaders
The leaders of Women.Design.Build are an impassioned group of artists, architects, entrepreneurs, and more! Their time and dedication are what make our programs successful and our community strong.
Sarah Stacey is the owner of Ecologique Design, and is an earth-conscious interior designer and lifestyle consultant. Her passion is to support & educate others on how to live a greener life. She specializes in creating beautiful interior spaces with eco-friendly alternatives such as composting, chicken coops, edible landscapes and rainwater collection systems to bring both sustainability and livability into balance. Her goal is to create more possibilities for enriching the home while contributing to a better world.
Amy VanDerLee, Amy's first construction experience was an under-the-table job working on boats in San Remo, Italy. She returned to the States and attended The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. After graduation she worked as Head Shipwright out of Channel Islands Boatyard in Channel Islands, California. A native Texan, she and her husband decided to return to Austin. With the move and lack of a boatbuilding market, she moved into residential construction, estimating and overseeing project management for local, high-end builder Escobedo Construction. After the birth of her son, she started her own company, Veritas Home Management, which specializes in absentee home care and construction assistance. She stays involved with boatbuilding - her true passion - by constructing miniature baby cradle boats. They can be seen and purchased on etsy.
Natalie Ready, With a strong background in graphic art, design and photography, Natalie started Eastside Woodworks in 2008. Her shop produces fine small furniture, lamps and "functional art". She has worked as a carpenter for the past 12 years and currently is a project manager for high-end builder J. Pinnelli Co. Working alongside the finest carpenters, subcontractors and craftsmen in Austin, TX, she has gained knowledge and techniques in all aspects of building and remodeling. She also has welding experience and is currently enrolled in the Metal Smithing class at ACC.
Maggie McIntosh, Maggie graduated from the University of Texas at Austin Masters of Architecture program in Spring 2010. She currently works as a Designer for local design.build firm, Moontower.
Kristen Von Minden (Dartmouth '02 / Harvard Graduate School of Design '09) and Eve Trester-Wilson (UT Austin '03 / '04) are two friends trained as architects with a passion for making–but are also fierce knitters, furniture fanatics, card makers, DIY enthusiasts, craft lovers, etsy shoppers, apartment therapy blog subscribers, artists, potters, welders, metal sculptors, graphics geeks, calligraphers, independent inventors and avid tinkerers with an interest in community and supporting local business. Together Eve and Kristen founded and operate MAKEatx: a member-based workshop where Austinites can pursue their diverse interests and activities independently and creatively.
Samantha Hurst earned her Masters in Architecture from Texas Tech in 2005. She's a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, avid designer and builder, and loving aunt to three grown chickens! She currently works at Backyard Salvage & Garden where she sells reclaimed architectural materials, native plants, and gardening supplies.
Become a Leader
What is a WDB leader?
A Women.Design.Build leader works collaboratively with the WDB team to design and teach Shop Talk Workshops and Community Projects.
Who can be a WDB leader?
Anyone! Our leaders are skilled tradespeople, architects, DIYers, and more! If you have a trade or passion that you'd like to share, then we'd love to know you.
Why become a WDB leader?
Because we provide a place for you to share your knowledge, expose your talents, and inspire a community.
Within the greater Women.Design.Build community lies a Leader community. We offer our leaders the unique opportunity to collaboratively design and develop WDB workshops alongside one another. Through this intimate process, our leaders begin to adopt each other's skill sets and ways of thinking, which in turn produces dynamic teaching and learning experiences.
The most creative thinking occurs at the meeting place of disciplines.
At the center of any tradition, it is easy to become blind to alternatives.
At the edges, where the lines are blurred, it is easier to imagine that
the world might be different.
Friendships are formed through this cross-disciplinary teaching model. And strong friendships are what make strong communities.
How can I become a WDB leader?
If you have a trade, skill, or passion that you'd like to teach, then we'd love for you to be part of our team.
Share your thoughts by filling out this Become a Leader form. Someone will be in contact with you shortly.
Need a visual aid? Then upload ourUS+YOU packet.
Partners
Partner
Our Partners
Become a Partner
What
Who
Why
How
Donate
Collaborate
Our Partners
Women.Design.Build has made tremendous progress since its inception in August 2009. Thank you to all of our wonderful friends, collaborators, and supporters for helping to make the Women.Design.Build community possible.
Become a Partner
What is a WDB partner?
A Women.Design.Build partner assists in the planning, funding, and/or facilitation of our programs.
Who can be a WDB partner?
Anyone! Our partners are nonprofits, local businesses, tradespeople, professionals, and individuals.
Why be a WDB partner?
As a Women.Design.Build partner, you will have the opportunity to be aligned with an organization that takes a different approach to knowledge-sharing and community development.
We are so grateful to all of our partners that have donated their time, goods, services, money, advice, space, and materials. This public support has allowed us to foster a community that is full of knowledge, creativity, and friendship. If you are interested in partnering with us on a particular event, workshop or program, please contact Christina at christina@womendesignbuild.org
How to become a WDB partner?
Donate
Women.Design.Build is under the fiscal sponsorship of the Austin Community Foundation. All donations are 100% tax deductible and can be made to the Women.Design.Build Fund on the Austin Community Foundation's website. All support is recognized in marketing materials associated with that sponsored event or program.
Collaborate
Perhaps your business is a great spot to host events or maybe you have the resources that could help build our programs. If you enjoy collaboration as much as we do, then we’d love to know you!
Need a visual aid? Then upload our US+YOU packet
