Call Me Mabie

06/01/2026

⚡️NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO⚡️ Some shoots have a way of feeling less like production and more like spending a day around someone who’s genuinely excited to share what they love. This was one of those days. I had a killer time making this video with and I couldn’t be any more appreciative. The link for the film is in my profile if you’re interested in checking it out! If you’ve seen it already, let me know what you think!
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05/31/2026

New YouTube video on Ryan Haasen Woodworks!!

Ryan Haasen of Civil Craft Studio creates some of the most unique w...

05/31/2026

⚡️NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO⚡️ Some people are passionate about what they do and is one of those people (the link is in my profile.

A few minutes into filming, it was obvious this was going to be a good day. Every question led somewhere interesting. Every story had another layer beneath it. Whether he was talking about family, responsibility, woodworking, construction, or the miniature worlds he’s become known for creating, the enthusiasm never left the room and the result is a documentary I’m genuinely proud of.

Ryan’s work has reached millions through his construction river tables and miniature construction scenes, but what stuck with me most wasn’t the work itself- it was the person behind it.

Thank you to Ryan for welcoming me into his shop, trusting me with his story, and helping make something special together.

The full film is now live on YouTube and the link is in my profile!
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05/30/2026

I’ve spent the last several years standing behind a camera asking makers questions. Next week, unfortunately, someone is going to let me touch the tools.

I’m heading to Florida () to take ‘The Art of Precision Joinery’ with Frank Strazza (). An advanced woodworking class, which feels like an administrative oversight considering my qualifications mostly consist of “I know a lot of talented woodworkers.”

One of the strange perks of making documentaries is that I’ve gotten a front-row seat to watch people dedicate years, even decades, to mastering a craft. The downside is that every now and then they convince you to try it yourself.

I have a week in store of learning, making mistakes, and spending time with good people. Cass ( / ) is joining me for the adventure. And if nothing else, we’ll all get a good laugh when I inevitably discover that watching joinery and doing joinery are two very different things.

My apologies in advance to Frank, Cass, and the Florida School of Woodwork.
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05/26/2026

Want to know something funny? I started this project thinking I was installing but it turns out that I was mostly installing humility. I ignored measurements, built a frame with a giant gap in it, discovered that my “wood” shelf wasn’t actually wood, made multiple Home Depot trips, and repeatedly found new and creative ways to remind myself why people smarter than me exist.

Thankfully Steph from basically held my hand through the process (with diagrams, measurements, and enough notes to qualify as a college course), Chris at saved me from one of my own disasters, and somehow this all ended with The Blue Shop becoming way more organized than it was before.

Not sure what I learned here exactly... Maybe that woodworking isn’t just about making things- it’s about having really patient friends.

And a HUGE thanks to for helping bring a little more order to the chaos over here. I genuinely appreciate it.
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05/21/2026

Some people walk into your life slowly but Patrick and Carlina hit me like a freight train. Three years ago today, I wrapped shooting this film with them and somehow what started as “a documentary shoot” turned into one of the most meaningful friendships of my life.

We’d met before, sure, but this was different. We spent an entire weekend filming, laughing, driving around the Pine Barrens, talking about life, losing track of time completely because we were having too much fun making something together. It didn’t feel like work. It felt like finding people you were supposed to know.

Shortly after this film, I stood in their new store (.handmade) during the grand opening, proud like some weird older cousin who had watched the dream become real. Since then, I’ve gone back year after year for Pine Barren Makers Fest (), watched their lives grow, watched their community grow, and watched their love grow (yuck).

I was there when Patrick proposed to Carlina and soon, I’ll be filming their wedding.

It’s funny- this documentary was supposed to be about woodworking and creativity and building a life with your hands but when I look back on it now, the shoot really became about... ✨ friendship✨. It’s still one of the most important films I’ve ever made.

05/20/2026

I was scrolling through old photos today and realized something. For years now, I’ve somehow convinced incredibly skilled and talented people to let me walk into their shops with a camera and ask them questions about their lives. And for some reason, they keep saying yes. These photos are from completely different shoots across completely different years but seeing them together reminds me how strange and lucky this whole thing has been.

Artists, furniture makers, welders, builders... and a creator with a camera following all of them around trying to make sense of why we’re all so obsessed with making things.

All of these documentary episodes are already out, some are still coming, some took way longer than I expected because life got a lil messy somewhere in the middle. But the films are still alive and always have been.

Featuring:
huff



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05/18/2026

Want to know something funny? In the near future, I’ll be standing in a class taught by …holding a handcrafted handsaw engraved by …attempting “advanced precision joinery” as if I have any business being there whatsoever. This is the woodworking equivalent of giving a toddler the keys to a Ferrari.

But before any of that, can we just acknowledge how INSANELY beautiful this thing turned out? I just got the saw back from Jenny and I genuinely can’t stop staring at it. The engraving on the folded back somehow makes it feel less like a tool and more like an heirloom that accidentally ended up in the hands of someone who still Googles basic joinery terms at 1am.

Jenny absolutely crushed this. Every little detail feels thoughtful and alive. It’s one of those pieces that makes you want to become good enough to deserve owning it.

And that’s the funny part about this saw in general- it’s become this weird little collection of friendships. Cass and the crew at Bad Axe Tool Works built the saw itself. Jenny brought it to life with the engraving. Frank’s the one crazy enough to let me into his class with it. And me? I’m just the guy standing there hoping nobody notices I’m measuring twice and still somehow cutting the wrong line. But honestly, that’s part of why I love this world.

A lot of people think woodworking is about mastery. The truth is, many people who I admire are still learning too. They just never stopped showing up, making things, let alone stopped sharing what they know with other people.

So here I am: a filmmaker who somehow ended up surrounded by toolmakers, engravers, and master craftsmen… trying to learn how to cut a straight line with a saw that deserves someone far more qualified. And if nothing else, at least I’ll fail beautifully.

05/14/2026

Most people might assume woodworking documentaries are about wood. But mine are not.

They’re about obsession and people betting everything on making things with their hands in a world that barely slows down long enough to notice.

As usual, I’ve been living out of camera bags and airports filming makers across North America: Ryan of in Calgary, James of .hands.studio in Edmonton, and Maggie Jo of in Chicago.

The projects themselves are only half the story. The real story is the people behind them and the beauty of caring deeply about something most people would never understand.

For everyone new here, this is what Call Me Mabie is. I make handmade documentaries about handmade lives. These films take months, thousands of miles, and more energy than I can probably justify financially… but they matter to me more than anything I’ve ever created.

And the good news is: there are a LOT more on the way this year.

Thanks for being here while this thing keeps growing. Seriously- whether you showed up five years ago or five days ago, welcome aboard.