Who is April Wilkerson? Maker and DIY as a Job
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- Опубліковано 5 чер 2024
- You can call April Wilkerson a maker, a DIYer, a woodworker, or metalworker. Regardless of the label, she makes stuff that she wants or needs instead of buying it or hiring it out. It’s her goal to be able to look around her home and have a hard time finding something she didn’t make with her own two hands.
When April started her blog in 2013, she had never used a power tool before. She didn’t grow up working on things nor did she take a shop class in school. But when she couldn’t afford to buy the things she wanted for around the house, April decided to try her hand at making them and dove head-first into building. Now, years later, she still much prefers to make the things she wants or needs.
Shortly after she started making things, April started putting together written tutorials on her website so that she could pass along information to anybody else who was interested. One thing led to another and a year later she started making video tutorials as well! April put together free how-tos on anything and everything she does. She sticks to building the things she wants in her life but also brings a camera along because sharing the information on how a project is completed has become just as big of an obsession as doing the projects themselves.
April Wilkerson is a born and bred Texas girl who grew up on the south Texas coast, but now lives in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with a little herd of rescue animals and chickens.
VIDEO BY JUSTIN MABIE
Instagram: / _callmemabie_
Website: callmemabie.com/
April Wilkerson autographed prints: www.callmemabie.com/shop/
NEW shirts: www.callmemabie.com/shop/
APRIL WILKERSON
Instagram: / wilker_dos
UA-cam: / aprilwilkerson
Website: wilkerdos.com/
@April Wilkerson
Call Me Mabie poster prints autographed by April Wilkerson and more to help support projects like this one: www.callmemabie.com/shop/
#aprilwilkerson #wilkerdos #diywoodworking
00:00 Finding a Passion
02:42 Meet April Wilkerson
04:34 Childhood
05:15 The Best Case
07:18 Pushback and Female Woodworkers
08:32 The Hill Country and Having Fun
10:45 The Wood Shed and 2020
13:47 Assembly Required: Being on TV
15:39 The Maker Community and Support
18:37 April Wilkerson: Maker
I teach Furniture & Cabinetmaking to high school students and it has been a challenge to keep my kids engaged via distance education. I showed this video to my kids today and I assigned a little reflection lesson for them to complete. I just thought that you would like to know that you were an overwhelming hit! You are an inspiration to them and for that, thank you! It is so important for my female students to see women in the trades but more than that, it's important for my male students to see how ridiculous gender stereotypes are. Keep doing your thing!
You need testosterone injections.
April motivates and inspires me to do more. She is sharp, hard working , and all round kind person. Proud to call her friend
I'm impressed. You're likely one of those people that can do anything; good at everything, and that's very rare. Probably a natural athlete as well. Congratulations on your success.
I bought my house, an old fixer upper and I'm not sure how it happened but out of necessity I started fixing things myself, buying tools, watching YT videos on how to... years later I've installed private fencing, built barn doors, built an office to work out of and so many other things that I would have been afraid to try before. Next I am assembling a huge shed behind my house. Now I love DIYers. This docu was amazing. Bravo!
Such a joy to see April prove herself and do it with beauty, grace and brains. What a 💎 gem !
April: All I can say is this: YOU are a WOMAN of NOT ONLY AWESOME POTENTIAL BUT ALSO OF INDIVIDUAL ACCOMPLISHMENT! YOU deserve the special admiration and respect from those of us who have NOT attained the level of success YOU HAVE ACHIEVED. KUDOS TO YOU & YOUR PARENTS.
Haha, my name is RITA and my brothers name is RICK. On the more serious side I've been working with my hands since the late 70's. I turn 61 in a week and am still going. Soooooo proud of you APRIL. Been watching you for the past several years and love love love that you landed the show!
What a pure joy to watch. Well done Justin! April...keep on girl, you are an inspiration.
I follow April's videos to improve my work. But she remind me of my son who has a personality similar to hers. He too lives in the Texas hill country and follows his dreams, very successfully. I miss him terribly and wish my contact with him was more than a phone call on fathers day and my birthday. It makes me happy to see her progress with her business, her family and now in to TV. Congratulations on your business successes and keeping a relationship with your family.
One of the most inspiring stories I have ever come across.Wish the entire year had only one month in it - April ! 🤣
Just came across your video. I know where your coming from. Left my job, doing my wood working, best thing that ever happened. Country side is same as down here in Queensland. We all have dreams, whether to go the next step, make it a reality.
I am proud of you as well! I I used to follow your videos years ago when you were making work benches small things, later somehow I forgot about you and years later now all of sudden I wanted to check your channel out. It was a proud moment to see how big your channel has grown and how much you have achieved including buying real estates. I am a female who is into wood working, house renovation.
"I fell in love with making... It changed me.." That right there..... 🙌🙌🙌
This is awesome!!
I love these videos dude!!
@Christopher Craftsman: YES! "That right there!" I am in love with 'making' since I was a little girl, now I am retired and still MAKING, almost every day, not only woodworking. Life is just great when you are able to make whatever you want, and people ask: where did you BUY that?!?! And April is amazing.
The world cannot deny april Wilkerson. There was just no stopping her. Good on you girl
Wow, April you are so inspiring, confident and talented. Thank you for all that you do, make and share with others. This world needs hundreds more of you. Love and happiness!
Ditto mom’s description of her daughter… Passion for “making” at another level. : )
'Confront challenges' & 'overcome the fear' seem to be the motos. Huge credit to her parents, their ongoing support is a gift.
I've been following April for several years back when she was in a small garage with her husband. I'm amazed & impressed with her energy, motivation and accomplishments! Great work Justin!
Very nice presentation of a great honest person who has grown a lot since her early start here on YT. A+
Excellent video and story in progress! Thanks for sharing. As I listen to April speak I think of This quote:
“They did not know it was impossible so they did it”
― Mark Twain
Excellent video, April is a definite MUST for anyone watching UA-cam!!!
You have two more i honestly cannot wait to see and I hope you can get to make a video of both of them.
Firstly Anne of all trades she's awesome and secondly Ashley Harwood is definitely another cracking maker on UA-cam.
These three women are just simply amazing !!!
P.s. I wish my wife could do 1% of what these girls are able to do, my wife can't even paint without leaving drips behind. Excellent choice 💯% 👍🇬🇧.
Not real familiar with Ann but I can say Ashley Harwood has actual skill and talent - amazing wood turner/instructor. April's skill is building a popular YT channel. My favorite "all around" female woodworking channel is 3x3Custom - Tamar. She's pretty amazing at figuring things out on her own without the constant need to "reach out" to experts and major tool manufacturers.
I am so inspired by your story. As a female woodworker and maker myself (nowhere close to your caliber) it brings me great joy to watch your success, your passion for what you do, and your mad skill. Love watching your videos! Thank you for doing what you do and sharing your journey with us. And P.S. the floating deck is FIRE! 🔥 🙌
Your videos are an inspiration for other women who want to build things but might find power tools and large projects intimidating. Watching you build almost everything on your own makes it less scary. Not just that but your videos are very informative and easy to follow. Don’t listen to the naysayers. You’re awesome.
It's really incredible how far April has come in 5 years in the small garage. I am absolutely in awe.
An amazing and determined woman. " A jack of all trades is better than a master of one".
This video proves what I always thought; April is the personification of the maker movement. Time and time again, she has demonstrated that making isn't just for a select few "master craftsmen," it's for anyone who wants to do it bad enough.
Outstanding production. April is an inspiration to young girls and women.
It's clear from the comments that the focus is on April, and rightfully so, I've been following her since the early days and she's been an inspiration to me and helped me along my journey of growth and I'll continue to follow the story, but Justin you deserve props too. You're story telling and capturing all the details and pulling it into this documentary is incredible and look forward to watching your growth as well!
Thanks so much!! I appreciate it!
I am so proud of everything April has done. I don't know her....she doesn't know me....but I have enjoyed watching her "grow up" on her channel. I subscribed on the video where she built the stairs on the outside of her building. I'm a 67 year old man and she has taught me so much through her videos. But more importantly, she has taught an untold number of people to get out there and try it. If it fails, then you know a way that doesn't work. But get back after it and you WILL succeed at whatever it is you want to do. An an old Texan and a tinkerer of wood, I could not be prouder of the way she presents herself to the world....confident, strong, ethical, reliable, caring, sharing, loving, and TEXAS PROUD!!! Love ya April!!!
She inspired me and my family to build our 2000 square foot workshop. Best summer I’ve ever had with them. Thanks for the motivation.
April I find you such an inspiration to tackle woodworking tasks that challenge your knowledge and experience , Thanks !
I worked television and film and a number of my protégés are now powerful women in the biz.
I’m also a woodworker and for a time I was in management at Rockler in Denver, Co. I had a bunch of retirees there and one of my fist store meetings was about the old farts not dissing women customers. As that took hold among other things our sales numbers went up and a women’s woodworking guild flourished. We had classes taught by world renowned female woodworkers and artists. I moved on but saw the store’s influence grow with other prominent women in woodworking like wood turning and furniture making.
I enjoy you UA-cam content and your enthusiasm for life. Thanks April!!!
She seems like the type of person that after you met her, your life would be enhanced. Well done video!
So glad I had the pleasure to meet you
April, you’ve made a difference! Your an amazingly ambitious person. You’ve made a fan out of this guy. And have given me the courage to take the leap in seeing what I can bring to the world of wood working / making. As a mechanical engineer I’ve just been bored of the 9-5 sitting behind computers. Thanks for helping me reconnect and rediscovering what my passion is. Some times you just need to cross a path of someone like your self to spark the imagination. Truly thank you 🙏
Great video April, Congrats to all of what you've accomplished. Thanks for being an inspiration to all of us, men and women!😊
You are friggin amazing and will inspire so many for so long!
Two words that have come to the fore front when following April over the years...NO FEAR! She is never afraid to fail at trying something new, or something hard! I love that about her! I have enjoyed seeing her become more and more skilled over the years through her UA-cam channel! She has been an inspiration for sure! Keep being you and keep kicking ass April Wilkerson!
Great video. For the record, I never doubted April was actually building her own stuff. I just looked at her and saw me......and a lot of others like me; someone who was trying to build and make something. Doing and figuring it out for herself!! Great story! DD
I have been a fan of April... since she started on You tube......endless respect for what she does....
I am so proud for you April, I have been watching your videos for years and I am floored with the success you are having. You are wonderful!!
I don’t know how someone could not like this video. You are such a strong person with a beautiful personality. I remember watching your video yrs ago building the outdoor stair case. And I wasn’t big on watching UA-cam vids back then. Now I’m in a wheelchair and watch a lot and then I see you appear on assembly required. I just hope you inspire more like you have me. Your story is a beautiful one. Best of the best wishes to you......
I took a class you ran before Lohr closed. So glad I found your channel. Hope it grows as big as April's
April is certainly a treasure. In a real way, she has shaped the UA-cam maker community.
Her nameless army is composed of a huge diversity of troops, young, old, male, female, just everybody who has happened across her many wonderful videos.
BTW: We watched the show last night and loved it.
I predict that next you will have your own production company and star in your own series.
Thanks for all of your videos. Stay safe.
Hi there , here’s and older Carpenter , I am liking that more ladies are getting in the trade , and in the same time encouraging other women to start making things with Wood. , thx for sharing .👍🏻🇨🇦
Love this, you are an impressive human. The world could use more people like you.
I watched your video from 2015 "How To Modify Your One Stage Harbor Freight Dust Collector" from six years ago. That's where I discovered you and your work. Yesterday I watched you install some monster 5 hp Clear Vue dust collector in your new shop. Man, you have made a name for yourself and come a long way! I love your "can do anything" spirit. Now you are working with Tim Allen? Too cool!
Anyway thanks for the awesome information and your UA-cam channel. I did not get started as early as you (I'm 71), but still, I've learned a lot, and really enjoy wood working. Just finished some night stand tables for the guest bedroom and they actually came out really good. My wife loves them.
Take care, April; blessings and all the best to you and yours on your journey. Texas looks awesome. Might have to take a look around over there. It would be nice to be in a state where America still comes first and people take care of each other.
Who are the ridiculous haters who disliked this? Some people are just rotten to the core! Great job, Justin! Fantastic vid!
They hate us 'cause they ain't us! Haha thank you so much for the compliment!
Or because they do really know you.
April, not only do you inspire people, you are beautiful and I love your red hair. I love wood working, but I'm getting too old. I watch your show and and love your enthusiasm. Keep up the good work.
This was so epic. April was one of the first people to encourage me to start a channel, and I am forever grateful. She is is so kick ass... and this was stunning. You two are a dream team. 🙌🏼
Thanks so much for watching, Sam. I genuinely appreciate that you took the time to watch this and I'm so happy to hear you have that with April. Cheers!
Yes I have showed Aprils videos and projects to the students in my woodshop
I think the first video I saw was the Miter Saw Stand
"Winter if there is that in Texas" famous last words! hope y'all survived last week with minimal damage!
I am a woodworker too, and I have a lot of respect for you and what you have accomplished
April is truly an inspiration as a maker, business woman and wonderful person.....great work....thanks😎
Great story. I found April when I was looking for a miter saw stand. I was shocked to see a young woman doing what the guys do. I became addicted to her videos and how smart she was in figuring stuff out. I remember messaging her about wood filler and she responded. That was cool. I also asked her what color paint she used for her original "W" pegboard. Again she responded. You showing her doing cookies in the Corvette cracked me up. I remember when she did that. Made me laugh at her being a rebel. Thanks for sharing a bit of your world behind the camera.
"Effervescent": your mom hit it right on the head, that's why I enjoy your videos so much. "Proud": again the exact feeling I have when I have watched you for years, I am very proud of you. Keep going.
April you have been an inspiration to me. I didn’t take up wood working until after I retired. The first of your videos that I watched were the Garbage Can Enclosure parts one and two. Your can do attitude really made me believe that I could learn to build things. You have a calm competent way of explaining your projects that makes me believe that I can do it too. The projects that I have built have been highly rewarding. The only down side is that I always seem to need a new cool tool for my next project. Oh well we all have to make sacrifices. Thank you.
Lol, I cheered when April mentioned the first staircase! That was the first video I ever watched of hers and I’ll never forget it 😊
Thank you for opening up the world for women to enjoy woodworking/making. Love your example, and love learning from you!
You rock April, you've worked hard to get where your at and deserve a lot of respect that a lot of women don't get. Love your work and deacation. Enjoy what you do. Best of luck in the future, and you are going places. Chris, Cypress Texas.
My first April Wilkerson video was when she built a porch swing. I have been watching and learning from her videos ever since. Awesome video and biography of an awesome creator. What struck me most was the look of pure contentment on her face. Keep up the great work, April. I can't wait to see the new TV show and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you!
Wow... Congrats to you. You are even more freaking awesome than you use to be. lol. I am soooo very happy for you and certainly proud of you for you. I've watched you over the years and always knew you would make a huge difference and be a fantastic inspiration. Good for you and May God Continue to Bless You...
This so great to see what you have started out at and now what you have became April keep up the fantastic work. Call me maybe your video on April is absolutely awesome! keep it up dude
I have watched & learned from your videos for years. Someone online today mentioned lady woodworkers like Shara & Woodshop Diaries on UA-cam, and I thought of you. YOU are inspiring! Keep it up!
One of the best, most heart-warming, and satisfying videos I've seen. I've witnessed and supported April since day one and watched her skill, talent, and positive attitude blossom. She is an inspiration to the human spirit!
Apparently, there are 65 people who have no idea of what the video is about. Pity them.
Hi April. I am Ramesh from India. I have watched all your episodes and see you GROW of where u r now. BOO YAHHHHHHH GIRL POWER. You really inspire me and all my daily tension is gone once I see your channel and see you smiling. GO GO AW. I have learnt a lot from you. Keep posting more on You Tube. Cheers & BEST OF LUCK FOR ALL YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVOURS.
She is my favorite Superhero!!! I’ve been watching her videos since day 1... I would love to one day meet her and just see her epic smile and hand wave 👋 in person.
Not sure how to say it, but thank you, pretty darn cool to hear your story, and to have seen what you've accomplished, to have learned a thing or two along the way, and been inspired to try my hand at something new here and there. Keep up the good work, pretty darn cool.
April is a top shelf woodworker and not arrogant about it. I see her as very down to earth willing to stick her neck out on the occasional project she isn't sure what the outcome may be (but honestly those projects are always successful). From what I can see she has a good husband and life and successful in what she does. A very inspirational person. I've built a few woodworking projects from the likes of April and Ana White and may start a UA-cam channel after leaving my job at the end of this year. April and Ana are both successful inspirational people. Kudos to both.
I love your videos , I work in Miami , Florida doing renovations since 2006. I am so glad that here is more woman doing construction . Before I stared to see your videos I felt so frustrated ‘cause still discrimination here in Florida because of the I’m a female . Good job.... you’re one of the kind of the people that will make history!!!!!
Proudly made in the USA! It doesn't get any better than this!
Nothing but admiration for this gal!
I've just discovered her videos and have only watched a handful so far.
I keep wondering about the husband's take on all this. Hopefully he's SUPER-PROUD of April . . . and maybe even amazed, An interview, perhaps?
Only saw maybe a glimpse of him, at least i think it was him - helping her, maybe holding an umbrella for shade?
She said, "I think I havs a keeper" or words to that effect.
Loved "meeting" Mom & Dad in this video & getting a glimpse of her upbringing, seeing her interact with them.
Can't wait to watch more of videos. Seing what she has accomplished as it occurs is truly inspiring!
Great video Justin. Nice to see a slightly different side to April, rather than the 'focused on delivering content' videos we usually see her in. I can't remember exactly which one I first saw, something to do with converting a garage maybe, but even that would have been a year or two old at that point. Such a step change in the level of growth from there to now. Good luck to all from the UK.
Love all of your videos, you make it interesting to learn how to do whatever project you're doing. But this one may be the best, as it shows the real you as it relates to what you do, and love your family values! Keep it up, I'll keep watching!
April, You are awesome. Luv your take-charge and "get-it-done" attitude.
Great work Justin. Love this for so many reasons.
You're the best, Anne. Thank you so much.
Anne I have showed your Videos in the Woodship that I teach and the students really enjoyed your videos
anne she pass you clean
@@richardbrobeck2384 that makes me so happy to hear!
@@AnneofAllTrades I think are really inspiration to young Teen girls and woman Showing them that they can enjoy and have as much fun as a boy can in woodworking !
You are keeping me from weeding my garden with this video , but I don't mind, I have enjoyed your journey, steer clear of sweets and you will live long and prosper!
Thank You! What an inspiration. Thanks April for being so open to share.
Thanks for the inspiration and motivation!
I could give ZERO shits that April is a female. She is one of the biggest inspirations to me as a newer woodworker. I have learned so much from her and hope to continue to do so.
Great video, April is an inspiration to us all!
That was well done. You are a wonderful lady, April!
I’ve been following you since your first video and proud to see where you have taken this journey! Justin did an awesome job putting this together! We’ll see you in the next thing I am making.
Excellent job as always Justin!
Great job!!!! So happy for her!!! She doing great!!!
Awesome! I've been watching April since the very early Wilkerdos days and have drawn so much inspiration in her videos. Thanks for telling her story in such a great way!
I hope my granddaughter will be willing to work with her hands, what you do is really a life skill. Thank you.
Congratulations April on all of your success. Looking forward to seeing many more of your projects.
Great video. April is amazing. She seems to be so down to earth. Love watching all her videos. She makes me want to buy some more tools and start building stuff.
Beautiful work! Great team together
Fir the first time ever, your name popped up on my screen (Jan 25, 2022). I hadviewed another video first - a tour of your new shop - and, even though I am always happy to see someone succeed, I had questions regarding$$$ and asked them. Then I watched this video and got my answers. All the best to you April!
Awesome video Sir. I find your and April's work so inspiring.
Fantastic documentary. Love this.
Great portrait of a great woman! Well done Justin :)
Been following since very beginning. Very proud of you !!!!
Thanks for sharing April. I am watching your videos for quite a while now. Greetings from Germany.
Really enjoyed watching this and all of Aprils videos. I recently got back into some woodworking and watching her projects has inspired me to go beyond my comfort zone with building.
Love ❤ your Video's April,💖 been watching you for a Long Time. Keep up the Great work 👍and be Careful in the Shop. 👌
Justin...incredible job telling her story I mean INCREDIBLE! You made me cry again! I want to show this to every one of my students (especially my girls). April is a FORCE 😍!
Love you Brandy! Nice cameo by the way hehe
Almost got me too!! (I never cry though.. ask Justin) 😂 You can tell she’s so proud of what she’s worked hard for.
@@CallMeMabie I spotted some curls in one shot and was like oh, someone has curls. I rewound it, turns out it was me 😁.
@@pj_fetscher yeah right, I can’t imagine you crying because I don’t have to imagine it, hahaha!!! I know you can tell she is proud as she should be, that’s some of the moments that “got” me 🥲!
Such a beautiful story! I enjoy every video. Enjoy the journey!
Awesome work Justin, Love the interviews!