The Storyteller's Tavern

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.

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Leigh and Mush sit down to talk about the excitement involved in this year's Maker Camp! See you soon, East Durham!

This is it: the final episode from WorkbenchCon 2025. Beyond the tools, techniques, and business side of things, WORKBENCHCon is and has always been about friendship, support, and the community that makes it all possible. So what better way to wrap it up than with three makers who represent the soul of this event:

Leah Houghtaling and Amelia Mighty are two incredible makers whose work is rooted in bringing happiness to others through woodworking, finishing, and content creation. As self-described multitools, they've been a dynamic duo for almost 30 years, working for themselves for over 20 years. Their chemistry as partners—both in life and in the shop—is undeniable, and their passion for what they do is infectious.

Leah has been a woodworker for over 25 years, crafting everything from furniture to small wares with a “leave no scrap behind” mentality. Amelia, her self-proclaimed “sidekick,” focuses on wood finishing—bringing out the beauty in every piece that crosses her path. Together, they create, laugh, and inspire.

But their story is so much more than making. It’s about choosing joy, sharing creativity, and, in Amelia’s words, recognizing that “joy is an act of rebellion.”

Leigh, Leah and Amelia sat down towards the end of Workbench Con to talk about the Power of Influence; how they use their platform to bring joy to others, including personal outreach to people who need a little light in their lives; and Dreaming Bigger – specifically, a potential road trip project where they take their creativity on the road to meet and connect with makers across the country.

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Morgan and Stone from Onefinity CNC have become the faces of Onefinity in the maker community, and get a chance to share what goes on behind the scenes of a CNC company that started from the ground up with makers in mind

Morgan and Stone don't just show up at Workbench Conference to sell machines: they’re deeply invested in helping people learn, explore, and push the limits of digital fabrication. From custom projects to supporting CNCs in education, their mission is simple: empower more people to make amazing things.

The four of us talk about The Onefinity Origin Story: how a small group of CNC enthusiasts turned an idea into a thriving business; how Onefinity is helping schools integrate CNCs into education and inspire the next generation of makers; the balance of classic and modern, why traditional woodworking and digital tools don’t have to be at odds; and what a typical day looks like when you’re running a CNC company with a small, tight-knit team.

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