It started with a detour.

Ali Malone was halfway across the country, mid-move from the West Coast back to her home in Vermont, when she took an intentional left turn off the interstate. She’d heard Maria from Hammerstone speak on a podcast and felt curiosity stir. Here was someone talking not just about building structures, but about building access, equity, and power through the trades. That stop at Hammerstone wasn’t just a visit; it was a seed.

Ali says she “spent years taste-testing trades in an effort to one day build [her] own house.” Quickly, she faced barriers both technical and cultural. “I realized it’s incredibly hard for women and queer folks to be invited into those spaces where you can learn these skills.”

She began to realize that you shouldn’t have to become a professional just to learn how to fix a leaky faucet or use a drill. And you shouldn’t have to contort yourself to fit into systems that don’t welcome you.

That seed from Hammerstone’s and Maria’s warm welcome grew into Handy Mam DIY, a grassroots skills education project rooted in radical inclusion. From her home base in Vermont, Ali launched beginner-friendly workshops for folks who had been told, implicitly or explicitly, that building and fixing weren’t “for them.”

Soon after meeting Maria, Ali took Hammerstone’s online SketchUp class.

“The whole class was one giant ‘ah-ha!’ moment. I have ADHD, and I just don’t have the stamina to learn from books or endless YouTube tutorials. Having Maria guide us step-by-step through the program helped everything click. It was exactly the kind of support I needed.”

Tools that demystify, illustrate, and empower can be found in every class taught at Hammerstone. It's a direct line from Hammerstone to Handy Mam DIY, one small ‘ah-ha!’ moment at a time.

So what inspired Handy Mam DIY? Ali says, “Hammerstone and Maria are both totally inspirational.” For Ali this work is more than personal. “I also want to be a role model for my daughter, Madi. I want her to grow up in a world where power tools aren’t ‘for boys’ —they’re just tools.” She adds, “it’s about learning, trying, and trusting yourself.”

Hammerstone isn’t just building structures. It’s building leaders, builders, teachers, and change-makers. It’s investing in people who turn around and invest in their own communities. Every student who walks through Hammerstone’s doors leaves with more than new skills. This is a story about what happens when organizations like Hammerstone take root and flourish — when you create spaces that are explicitly inclusive, intentionally welcoming, and deeply skilled. We don’t just teach classes. Together we change culture! Our alumni take what they’ve learned and bring it home and we couldn’t be more proud!

It started with a detour: Meet Ali from Handy Mam DIY

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