Creative Therapy

Hey there! My name is Kenny, and I'm the operator of Positively Woodworking (with a HUGE assist from my wife Becky). I grew up in Nebraska and now call North Carolina home. I'm a follower of Christ, husband, uncle, brother, son, and friend. I'm a big softy (think Hallmark Christmas), love to laugh, and like to put others ahead of myself.

I've always found it difficult to quiet my mind, so having an activity that demands my full attention helps me push out the noise and really focus on what I'm doing. It's therapeutic, relaxing and exhausting at the same time, and incredibly rewarding.

Most of the things I make are built from necessity. They have an intended function, and must be designed for operability and durability. But they also allow an opportunity to experiment with form – to get creative. The function is what got me into woodworking, but the creative outlet is what keeps me coming back.

These days, my woodworking is as much about making connections as it is about making furniture. I've found a community of people on Instagram who share similar interests and aspirations. We encourage and support one another, share ideas and techniques, make things for one another, and, in some cases, become close friends. It was through Instagram that I met the people who would eventually help me find Jesus, and for that, I will be forever grateful.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this community for me is the weekly "Collaboratory" Instagram Live show that I co-host with my friend Elena from Kaleidostone Coastal. Together, we invite other makers to share their story, talk about their craft, provide advice, answer questions from other makers, and maybe have a laugh (or several). Check out Collaboratory most Wednesday evenings at 9 pm EST.