Kathrina and Tracey of Bastionhead Woodworks are power carvers and hand-tool makers who’ve built a reputation for turning raw, ordinary firewood into bold, sculptural forms that feel alive in your hands. They teach at major woodworking events around the country, introduce countless newcomers to carving through approachable tools and techniques, and somehow make every class feel like a mix of artistry, therapy, and joyful chaos. Their work blends precision and play, and their teaching has become a cornerstone of the carving community at Maker Camp and beyond.

Leigh and Mush sit down with them to talk about the story beneath all of that: the winding path from science labs and alternative classrooms to full-time carving, the early moments that lit the spark, and the quiet shift from “try this tool” to “this is our life now.” They get into the rhythm and flow of carving, why cracking open a log feels like discovering a geode, and the way grain, smell, and texture can pull you into a meditative state. They talk about teaching beginners, including the powerful experience of guiding a blind student’s hands on an angle grinder, and why safe, expressive tools can unlock creativity in people who didn’t know they had it. And of course, they dig into what they’re doing here at Maker Camp, how they help people read wood the way musicians read a score, and why sharing this craft with others has become the most meaningful part of their work.

More Tracey & Kathrina

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bastionhead/ & https://www.instagram.com/kathrinanellis/ 

Website: www.bastionheadwoodworks.com