Saint Maud’s: Where Kids Build More Than Just Projects
In a small Wisconsin town, Karl Zinsmaster has created a space where young minds grow through hands-on creativity. At Saint Mauds, children don’t just learn—they build, explore, and discover the joy of making.
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In 2021, Karl Zinsmaster founded Saint Maud’s in Pence, Wisconsin—a community space that now offers woodworking, knitting, crocheting, sewing, cooking, yoga, and robotics for both public school students and homeschoolers. His mission: to help kids gain confidence and problem-solving skills through project-based learning.
In 2022, Karl began offering Slöyd at Saint Maud’s – a curriculum of hand-tool woodworking projects and lessons based on the Slöyd Experience’s incredible program in Colorado. Slöyd at Saint Maud’s is now the heart and soul of Karl’s mission.
From Skate Ramps to Creative Leadership
Karl’s journey began in small-town Wisconsin, where early projects like building skateboard ramps sparked his interest in hands-on creation. His Eagle Scout skatepark project confirmed his path. After art school in Minneapolis and a residency in New York, Karl worked in woodshops and as a creative director—but something was missing.
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That changed in 2021, when he and his father bought a decommissioned church and began restoring it by hand. This wasn’t just a renovation—it was a shift in philosophy. Karl returned to working directly with materials, rediscovering the satisfaction of simplicity and traditional craft. “After years with CAD and tech, I realized I wanted to build with my hands again,” he says. Basswood, in particular, became a favorite (especially for the student projects in Slöyd classes) —light, sustainable, and expressive. Iron County Wisconsing is very lucky to be populated with lots of small, family run sawmills from which Karl can source beautiful and sustainably harvested lumber like white pine, red oak, sugar maple and white or black ash.
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A Place to Learn by Doing
At Saint Mauds, kids engage with real tools and materials. “It’s about giving kids the tools to solve problems,” Karl explains. “When they build, they learn to navigate challenges—that’s a lifelong skill.” Inspired by Swedish craft traditions, his programs focus on process over perfection—and creativity over theory.
Despite challenges like limited funding and the remote location, the center has grown with support from local grants and a generous 2024 donation from the American Scandinavian Foundation. “Keeping it accessible and sustainable is key,” Karl says.
“We’re proud to have reached more than 100 local kids in the last year with our Slöyd program,” he adds.
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Looking Ahead
Karl’s vision for Saint Maud’s includes working with more local schools, public health organizations and homeschool groups to share Slöyd with as many kids as possible. Saint Maud’s plans to host workshops with Swedish makers eventually as well. “It’s about giving kids the chance to take risks, create, learn, and grow.”
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