Handywoman opens up shop in Ferleigh

Craig Bakay | Jan 22, 2020

Tammy Watson and her wife Mary, a personal support worker, moved in to their new home just south of Fernleigh in North Frontenac Township in July. One of the ‘features’ of their new property was an old metal drop which contained several licence plates.

“The first one I picked up said ‘March, ’70,’” she said. “That’s when I was born so I knew I was home.”

Watson had been a civil servant in Durham Region, in law enforcement, for 28 years. But before that, she said she’d been torn between two worlds.

“My family is from Deseronto but I went to high school in North York,” she said. “So I grew up between the two worlds of Jane and Finch and Deseronto.

“I like the country better.”

So, after vacationing in Bon Echo Park (their dog is even named Echo), they started looking around for a place in the area.

But, still needing a way to make ends meet, Watson looked back to her days in North York and a love of shop class.

“I was the first girl in North York to win the Industrial Arts Award,” she said.

And so Trillium and Maple Woods Handywoman Services was born.

“I’m by no means a licensed tradesperson,” she said. “But I have lots of tools and I know how to use them.

“And I’m pretty good with a paint brush.”

She started off in the area doing work for Fernleigh Lodge and has some gigs with other lodges as well as private homeowners, she said.

“If you don’t need a general contractor but don’t have the time, tools, or expertise, I’m the one to do it,” she said. “I’ve had a couple of callbacks, so . . .”

The back of her business card reads: “furniture assembly, minor repairs, painting, shelving installation, general maintenance, organization, seasonal property checks, yard and garden care.”

“All of the jobs I’ve ever had have been helping people fix their problems,” she said.

She said that so far, all of the local businesses have been “very supportive, it’s a great environment here.”

To contact Watson, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 613-479-0425 or 905-404-5056.

By the way, she’s also a certified crochet instructor who runs workshops.