As anybody who has been involved in woodworking for a period of time can tell you, part of what makes it so enjoyable is that it has so many forms. Turning, carving, and furniture making are some that come automatically to mind. Raven Tekwe's particular form of woodworking my not sound as familiar, but it makes a grand noise. Raven makes drums.

Djembes are the goblet shaped drums, the ashikos are the tapered.

According to Raven, "I had an incredible experience playing a large drum. Shortly afterwards, I knew I wanted to play drums and wanted to make them." It was a matter of love and hard work that took her to that next step. "When I started, I didn't know the first thing about woodworking. I just knew I wanted to make drums."

Fortunately, Raven has a can-do attitude to go with her enthusiasm. "I figure you can do anything if your desire is truly there." She started out by first making frame drums, which are hand held and played with a beater. But as her own interest and skill as a percussionist grew, she started graduating to a variety of other drum projects.

"I started playing congas and djembe-style (pronounced gem-bay) drum and really wanted to make that type of drum."

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