The Project Pine Story

Hi I’m Rachelle! Founder, and craftswoman behind Project Pine Designs in Ottawa, Ontario.

My journey started in 2014 when wedding planning turned me into an accidental entrepreneur. I made chalkboards for my own big day, friends went wild for them, I decided to try and sell them online and a markets. Chalkboard Chique grew into the top Canadian chalkboard seller on Etsy, landing products in major retailers across Canada and the U.S. and earning me a spot at the One-Of-A-Kind Show, North America's largest market.

Then 2020 happened. Supply chains crumbled and some materials became impossible to source, so I did what makers do…I pivoted. I started tackling projects around my own home and sharing on Instagram. Some small projects like making a new address sign (that I actually still make and sell ;) and some HUGE ones like redoing my entire staircase! That creative reset led to a 2021 rebrand: Chalkboard Chique became Project Pine Designs.

Throughout all of this my confidence, knowledge, and expertise in using power tools grew….and that brings me to today!

Learning online is one thing, but I know having the ability to learn how to use power tools IN PERSON empowers you in a totally different way. I created women’s only workshops to offer a supportive, hands-on environment where women can learn how to use power tools safely and have fun doing it! These sessions are about more than just building a project, they’re about building self-confidence, community connection, and encouraging women to take up space (literally and figuratively) in traditionally male-dominated spaces like the tool department. I am passionate about bringing this to life and I couldn’t be more proud to partner with Rona+ locations across Ottawa.

To hear me chat about the workshops, check out my interview with CBC radio below!

LISTEN: Power Tool Workshop Interview on CBC Radio

LEARN MORE ABOUT UPCOMING WORKSHOPS: HERE