The Making of Women

This paper investigates how making activities and participation in makerspaces supports the wellbeing empowerment of women, particularly domains that are typically male-dominated. We spent six months undertaking participant observations a women-only makerspace runs workshops aimed at teaching women skills using power tools woodwork. conducted contextual interviews with 12 workshop attendees as well founder lead instructor. Through lens feminist HCI legitimate peripheral participation, we present trajectories within - from beginning to becoming competent confident maker. found through structured space actively teach skills, works transform current landscape so more can engage these spaces participate them. contribute three core qualities foster participation: but without 'feminist' label, configuring formal collaborative learning environment, reification artefacts. Collectively work towards new configurations for enable their them, detail such create women's participation.