Meet Debbie
Hi, I’m Debbie, the maker behind Ree’Designs by Debbie.
I’ve lived in Saskatoon for most of my life, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that it’s never too late to discover a new passion. I didn’t grow up dreaming of woodworking or furniture refinishing. In fact, it wasn’t until my mid-40’s that I picked up a drill and discovered how much I loved creating with my hands… and power tools. What began as a simple project has grown into a business built on craftsmanship, curiosity, and a whole lot of encouragement from family and friends.
Around here you’ll find handcrafted cutting boards, charcuterie boards, refinished furniture, custom woodworking projects—and probably a few stories about my latest “development meeting” with my G.H. (General Handyman), who’s usually helping me figure out how to bring another crazy idea to life.
This is the summer where I caught the bug…
I was just over the “mid-40’s hump” when I rediscovered my love for being creative—this time with woodworking tools in my hands, a spray gun and a little welding on the side.
It all started when my sister taught me how to build a workout bench I wanted. No pattern, no instructions—just her, her tools, her backyard, and a whole lot of creativity. That one bench turned into a pair of cross benches… which somehow turned into 11 orders from people who loved them. One woman even asked us to teach her how to make her own set. What an amazing experience!
The journey continued...
And them came the itch I had to scratch. I wanted to tackle something completely on my own, so dad lent me his portable table saw and I decided to build an outdoor table from pallets. No plan—just creating as I went. One stain, metal pipe legs, and hours of sanding later, that table as smooth as butter and passed the family “critic” test with flying colors.
The summer wouldn’t have been complete without trying something I’d always been curious about: metal art. My son gave me a lesson in cutting, grinding, and welding, and I made my first metal piece. It’s priceless to me—not because its perfect, but because he taught me, with the patience of a saint.
Along the way, my family has continued to shape this journey. My sister sparked it. My son introduced me to welding.
And then there’s my G.H. (General Handyman) – AKA my husband.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ve probably heard me mention our “development meetings”. They’re usually me showing up with an idea (sometimes a little crazy), and him listening patiently before saying, “Let’s figure this out”. He has an incredible way of turning my “what if…?” into “here’s how.”
Whether he’s building a jig, solving a problem, or teaching me the next step, he’s been my biggest encourager and the calm voice behind so many of my projects.
Where I am today…
What started with a simple bench grew into a passion for creating beautiful, functional pieces from wood and refinishing furniture pieces that would otherwise be forgotten.
Since then, I’ve spent countless hours learning new techniques, refining my skills, and challenging myself with projects I never imagines I’d be able to build.
Today, Ree’Designs by Debbie is where creativity and craftsmanship come together. Whether I’m restoring a piece of furniture with years of history, building an end-grain cutting board that will become part of family gatherings, or creating a one-of-a-kind charcuterie board, every piece is made by hand with care, attention to detail, and a genuine love for the craft.
My goal has never been to mass-produce furniture or woodworking projects. I want every piece to have its own character and become something you’ll be proud to use, display or pass along.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned since that summer, it’s this: it’s never too late to discover a passion, learn a new skill, or create something beautiful.
Thank you for being here
Thank you for stopping by and supporting handmade. Whether you’re here to find the perfect piece or simply following along on the journey, I’m so glad you’re here.