I’ll never forget our final days in Dubai. We were in a cozy cafe overlooking the Marina, a beautiful view of Dubai sprawled out below. We took in all that beauty and wondered, “What’s next for us?” Don’t get me wrong, Europe is breathtaking, and it was home after all. But it was also a harsher reality away from our ambitions and heart. That night, with that view of Dubai in front of us and coffee in hand, we knew one thing for sure—no matter what, we wanted to stay.”
Woodworking is the pride and joy of Eva Dal Molin, who co-runs The Makers Society in Ras Al Khor with her husband, Luca Dal Molin. For Eva, a former flight attendant, the world of chisels and saws wasn’t exactly love at first sight. It was Luca’s passion that drew her in, transforming what started as his dream into their shared labor of love.
Luca’s story with woodworking began in his 20s, during his time in the Italian military, where he watched a colleague painstakingly build a crib for his baby. With no mentor or guide, Luca taught himself the craft through sheer grit and curiosity—a journey that shaped the philosophy behind The Makers Society.
"Nowadays, we all have the ability to learn, but he had to experiment and teach himself the hard way. I believe that's the best way to truly improve and create something amazing—because he had no foundation or support in the beginning. Now, he's definitely ready to face anything in woodworking."
Eva’s journey was less direct but no less fascinating. With a background in regional development, a stint studying in Australia, and a career as a cabin crew member in Dubai, woodworking wasn’t on her radar. But after meeting Luca, their shared vision for a creative community took shape, bringing people together in this bustling city.
When asked about the skills needed to succeed in woodworking, Eva insists it’s less about natural talent and more about passion and persistence.
"To truly excel in woodworking, you need passion and consistency. It's the repetition and constant experimentation that shape your skills and help you improve. But it’s also a time-intensive process—and, sadly, that’s something none of us seem to have enough of these days."
The Dubai Charm
Students at The Makers Society often join as novices with little to no woodworking knowledge, and progress to making household items! This is not only a new skill but also a sustainable way to save money and create art. Many clients, often busy professionals or business leaders, call the workshop their “spa.” It’s where they can slow down, disconnect, and find joy in the process of creating art with a deep sense of pride and emotional connection. Eva likens this atmosphere to "Alice's Wonderland".
"Dubai is the perfect place for this. Why? Because it’s open-minded and incredibly innovative compared to other cities around the world. We’ve traveled extensively, and we can confidently say that Dubai is super flexible when it comes to experimenting, improving, and trying new things. The government and the entire system here are very supportive, which is exactly what you need when bringing something new or implementing fresh ideas.”
Pricing and Popular Courses
The Makers Society initially envisioned inviting experienced woodworkers to their space, but the idea quickly evolved into something more inclusive: teaching beginners. This led to the creation of their now-iconic introductory course, priced at AED 595. Designed for families and couples, it offers participants the chance to build a toolbox while mastering foundational techniques and concepts.
“They learn how to measure and cut pieces precisely, smooth and shape them, glue and drill, and put everything together step by step,” Eva explains.
To make woodworking even more accessible, Eva and Luca introduced a trial class priced at AED 150. Perfect for those unsure about committing to a full course, it allows participants to craft simple items like picture frames or coasters, providing a guided introduction to the craft without the full package cost.
For seasoned woodworkers, the Mini Mastery and Mastery courses are standout favorites. Priced at around AED 7859, these advanced programs challenge participants to undertake personal projects, with a focus on skill-building over 4 to 8 weeks. Sessions are held on weekends, and students are encouraged to apply their learning throughout the week. By the end of the course, most students complete two to three complex projects with guidance and support from the team.
Sloyd Method and Impact on Children
For Eva, the Young Makers program at The Makers Society is all about embracing change and fostering meaningful growth. They’re rooted in the Sloyd method, an 18th-century Scandinavian approach to education that focuses on hands-on woodworking and crafting. This method isn’t just about practical skills—it’s about nurturing creativity, patience, and character through a progressive, student-centered approach.
"Unlike traditional schooling, the Sloyd method is far more flexible and imaginative. We don’t box kids into rigid structures. Instead, we give them a space to actively participate in their learning and bring their own ideas to the table. That’s the beauty of Sloyd."
"Kids are naturally full of energy and want to get things done as quickly as possible, but woodworking teaches them the opposite. I always tell them, ‘Working faster doesn’t mean finishing faster. In woodworking, the slower you go, the faster you’ll finish.’ They learn patience, how to handle tools properly, and how to give themselves time to think. It’s incredible to see them slow down and really enjoy the process."
The feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have noticed their children showing greater focus and calmness.
Safety Protocols
With their extensive experience in aviation, Eva and Luca make no compromises on safety and protocol. They’ve put together a detailed instruction manual that all learners, regardless of experience level, must follow. The same goes for the staff, who also have their own manuals. The safety protocol starts with a liability waiver that must be signed before attending any class, followed by an email outlining the rules and guidelines. For safety reasons, open shoes and sandals are not allowed in the machinery room, and throughout the workshop, signs serve as constant reminders to check safety gear and follow procedures.
Using machinery requires prior training and is always done under the supervision of a staff member. But the most important element of safety is focus—no matter how many precautions are in place, safety is ensured only when everyone stays mindful and works at a comfortable pace. These protocols are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure a safe experience for all learners.
"You have to be completely present and focused. We always emphasize that while machines and tools can be replaced, your fingers and hands cannot. They’re your most valuable asset, and keeping them safe is crucial."
Working with children, especially when it comes to safety, is no easy task. Eva and Luca strike a delicate balance between letting kids explore and face risks on their own to allow the development of a natural sense of caution while ensuring no real harm occurs. This approach is also an attempt to cultivate personal responsibility and accountability early on. Eva comments,
That’s what we teach here: every step you take in life is your decision, and you’re responsible for it. It’s a lesson that goes beyond woodworking—you can’t go through life blaming others. And, well, I tend to go off-topic about safety, but it’s just so important!"
Hand Tools and Machinery
All the equipment at The Makers Society is sourced from reputed brands like Austria’s Felder and Hammer. In fact, Eva and Luca’s foray into building their own collection of power tools and woodworking equipment began through an encounter with Felder and Hammer’s distributor for the Czech Republic. While conducting market research during the COVID-19 lockdown, the couple met with a distribution partner who, despite knowing their business wouldn’t launch for another three years, shared invaluable insights into the industry.
"He didn’t care that we weren’t buying from him at the time. He took us seriously, showing us around, explaining the machines and their functions. It was a really good experience, and over time, we became friends with him. He kept following up, asking about our progress, and was always patient. When we were finally ready to purchase the machines, he went above and beyond our expectations. He even offered to come and install the machines for us, setting up everything to ensure we had a proper workshop."
Without proper guidance and competencies, even high-grade machines like those manufactured by Felder and Hammer will depreciate over time. Much to Eva’s gratitude, the distributor continues to provide yearly service and safety updates to The Makers Society.
"Another fantastic company is DEWALT, who reached out to us for a fair collaboration and have been incredibly supportive, sharing the same vision and goal of promoting the woodworking market in the Middle East. They’re doing an outstanding job, and we’re proud to have the honor of working with their tools in our workshop."
Hand tools are equally important for woodworking, and Dubai's market, while offering brands like Ace, tends to cater to general use rather than the advanced and intricate needs of the craft. Recognizing this gap, The Makers Society has taken on the role of distributor for esteemed brands from Japan, China, and the Czech Republic, ensuring the Middle East has access to professional-grade tools.
They collaborate with Narex for chisels and hand tools, Kakuri for exceptional Japanese tools, and Luban for essentials like marking knives, hand planers, and shoulder planes. Reflecting their philosophy of fostering community, The Makers Society combines tools from diverse brands to curate the finest selection for their students.
Given the limited presence of woodworking concepts in the UAE, the availability of specialized tools is still a challenge. However, the team is committed to raising the regional profile of woodworking with strong partnerships and excellent relations with their collaborators.
Collaborations and Initiatives
Eva is passionate about bringing the joy of woodworking to students - The Makers Society currently collaborates with Al Fanar school, providing workshops in their extra afternoon curriculum, and is in talks with other educational institutions around Dubai. Eva and Luca are also eager to partner with government agencies and organizations across various sectors, aiming to bring the therapeutic and creative benefits of woodworking to older students, the elderly, and people of determination.
In addition to community initiatives, The Makers Society also supports several budding businesses, such as Norwegian timber producer Kebony, sustainable fashion brand Turtlefeet, and eco-friendly paint supplier Tjhoko. Eva, always eager to support other businesses in the industry, shares her mission when it comes to collaborations:
"This is exactly how we want to move forward—by collaborating with people who have a proper structure, who have thought things through, and who share a long-term vision. It’s not just about quick production and moving on; it’s about building something excellent and growing together."
Sustainability all the Way
Staying true to their commitment to nature, The Makers Society's timber is exclusively sourced from suppliers certified by the international monitoring organization Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
“We ensure that everything is sourced from certified companies and managed in a controlled, proper way. We also prioritize recycling. Every offcut and leftover material is either repurposed for our customers or passed on to external businesses. For instance, we’ve had smaller local businesses reach out, asking for wood pieces, and we’re happy to support them. We believe we’re all interconnected, especially when it comes to making the most of available materials.”
Apart from these efforts, The Makers Society is also aiming to soon repurpose wood dust as flooring material for stables. Eva also encourages children in the workshop to collect their wood shavings and dust for their pets, like hamsters or rabbits. Looking ahead, she hopes to collaborate with an organization to replant trees, creating a balance by replenishing what’s taken for their projects. This initiative is something she’s particularly keen to introduce at the school where she conducts her classes, reinforcing the importance of sustainability from an early age.
Business Milestones and the Journey Ahead!
When Eva and Luca set off on their entrepreneurial journey over a year ago, their goals were simple; build awareness about woodworking and make enough money to pay the bills. They used personal savings for funding and focused on building an authentic connection with the local community instead of adopting a traditional marketing route. A year later, the couple has successfully achieved their primary goals and shifted the focus of The Makers Society towards woodworking education. They aim to revive the slow, thoughtful lifestyle of past civilizations, with plans to expand beyond Dubai.
"We’re focusing on educating future generations, especially children, to empower them with new skills and confidence while preserving the art of woodworking. Woodworking isn’t just labor-intensive carpentry—it’s a beautiful art and craft, working with one of the most natural materials tied to human civilization. Creating something from raw wood takes time and care; quality doesn’t come from rushing or cutting corners. Our logo—a root or bare tree, depending on how you see it—symbolizes growth. We aim to expand from the Middle East and build a globally recognized brand known for quality, consistency, and a deep love for woodworking as an art form."
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