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!
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!
Wow!! April, you are an inspiring young lady. Absolutely enjoy all that you are trying to do. I have told many in the last 50+ years that they can do what I do with the proper tools and guidance. You are a great example of that.
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!
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.
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.
@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.
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 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.
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!
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!!!
First of all, This is a GREAT video of who April, (The multitude of videos I have watched) Is. Thanks for the history of April & how she knows what she does so well. You have had a very interesting start. Second, I too have a much smaller workshop that I built it completely & Have filled it to the point of no return through 70 years of learning while doing. I'm a 52 yr. Motorcycle Mechanic at the same shop & Have retired now 4 times. I was talked into "helping out part-time" again, But Can't do it anymore. So April, Do it all while your young. Third, Your much more entertaining than anything on TV & I'm hooked on watching your old videos, Just to see what your tackling next. I wouldn't want you to change a thing. You surprise me with each & every new project. But your Never boring. You have a gift as my grandmother would tell me. I took things apart , just to see how they worked & put them together again. I was making motorized go carts as a kid, A Ham radio builder & operator as a child, Built a Color TV in 73, self taught mechanic, woodworker, home construction, electrician, plumbing, mason, & now computers. My first real Christmas present was a soldering gun at 7. I feel I'm looking in a mirror when I watch you learn what your capable of learning & doing yourself every day. Finally, I'm so glad I "met" you on this RU-vid channel because I'm never too old to learn something new from someone who is learning something new. Girl , You have a wonderful long & happy life ahead of you, No matter what you get into next. You will succeed !
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!
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!
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 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 RU-vid 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......
Excellent video, April is a definite MUST for anyone watching RU-vid!!! 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 RU-vid. 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.
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.
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
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! 🔥 🙌
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 😍!
@@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 🥲!
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
@@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 !
April is certainly a treasure. In a real way, she has shaped the RU-vid 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 .👍🏻🇨🇦
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.
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 RU-vid channel! She has been an inspiration for sure! Keep being you and keep kicking ass April Wilkerson!
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.
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!!!!!
I “discovered” Wilker Do’s on Facebook about two years ago while isolating from Covid and watch any and all her videos that I can get my hands on. I love her work and have tried many of the projects she has showcased on her show, especially her various jigs and storage projects. Today, I discovered her first two videos on RU-vid. It was interesting to hear about her background, interest and success. Keep the terrific videos coming. Im 79 years old and still learning new woodworking tricks and techniques.
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.
"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’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 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.
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!
I started woodworking when I was 12. I am now 62 and spent my life woodworking and building homes in Tucson, AZ. Very satisfying and rewarding. You are a smart lady, I know because you have nice tools !! Best of luck to you !!
I have watched & learned from your videos for years. Someone online today mentioned lady woodworkers like Shara & Woodshop Diaries on RU-vid, and I thought of you. YOU are inspiring! Keep it up!
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!
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!
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.
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 RU-vid content and your enthusiasm for life. Thanks April!!!
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.
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 RU-vid channel after leaving my job at the end of this year. April and Ana are both successful inspirational people. Kudos to both.
I so love April for inspiring me to do a little woodwork at home. I never thought to build anything out of wood for fear of failing but by watching her shows I gave it a go and build my first kitty house and feeding station for couple of feral cats behind my house. I lost my muscles in my arms and shoulder due to a surgery few year ago so for me to pick up a heavy battery operated drill is quite challenging. But by the grace of God somehow I get it done. Thank you daughter of Texas, you rock!
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.
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.
April, I have watched your channel for quite awhile, My Niece watches your channel and she told me one night that You have inspired her, it surprised her when I told her her that you have inspired me also to do some cool projects. Great Human you are and cudos for all the lives that you have touched.
Proud of you April! - me, a stranger in the Quebec Laurentians (near the north pole 😂), a late bloomer (started 5 years ago at 59 years old!). AND THANK 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...
I knew you would be a driving force in the Community of Craftsman / Makers. I knew from the first video you made . Happy for your progress and wishing you all the best .
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
Such a great video. April has put so much into her work and she's earned everything she's gotten to this point. Let the haters hate...it's straight jealousy.
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.
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!
I think I have been with you when you have the old house and took over your husbands garage, built the over hand by the pool, I remember you doing donuts in your husbands Vette when he was out of town. I Hope to follow your channel for a long time to come. Congrats to you on everything you do. Good Luck to you April !
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 RU-vid 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.
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!
YES!!! This was great, Justin. April sure is something special. I’ve never understood how so many people can claim to have a plan and everything figured out.. it’s refreshing to know that it’s perfectly fine to just say “let’s see how this goes”. Thanks for telling such a beautiful story 🖤
You're such a nice guy. Which is apparent within Episode 8 of the Call Me Mabie RU-vid Channel featuring P.J. Fetscher with The Evolution of Tables, now available.