The Craftsmanship Enthusiast of Majorna
In a cozy apartment filled with handmade furniture in Majorna, Gothenburg, Fabricio Gatica lives with his wife and their two children. Despite neither of his Chilean parents being carpenters, Fabricio has always had a deep passion for craftsmanship. From an early age, he knew he wanted to create with his hands. He fondly recalls his childhood nook, a small creative space, where he would sit for hours, whittling wood and creating things.
![](https://sjobergs.se/app/uploads/2024/11/Fabricio-Gatica-6.jpg")
“It was my little universe,” he says with a smile.
This small space laid the foundation for the passion that would shape his life, a choice his father wholeheartedly supported. His passion grew stronger during his time in the Scouts and later in his school’s woodworking classes, where an excellent teacher encouraged him and recognised his interest.
Today, across from his family’s home, Fabricio has a small carpentry workshop where he spends as much time as he can. He often sneaks in there in the evenings after the kids have gone to bed to spend a few hours crafting with his tools, many of which he found at local flea markets.
"Sweden has a wonderful tradition of well-made, sturdy tools," he explains.
![](https://sjobergs.se/app/uploads/2024/11/Fabricio-Gatica-8.jpg")
His personal favourite is the plane, a tool he’s even had tattooed on his index finger as a symbol of his love for traditional craftsmanship.
Fabricio also used to teach as a vocational instructor in the Building & Construction program and speaks with great enthusiasm about how much he appreciated meeting each student at their own level. “It’s all about inspiring them based on their own abilities and desires,” he says. While he teaches, he’s also training to earn his Journeyman’s Certificate, a symbol of craftsmanship skill he has long dreamed of achieving.
![](https://sjobergs.se/app/uploads/2024/11/Fabricio-Gatica-11.jpg")
But Fabricio is more than just a teacher and craftsman—he also leads a local hobby association with over 200 members. In this role, he passionately promotes craftsmanship, creating a vibrant community where creativity and skill thrive. For many of the members, particularly retirees, the association is a lifeline, offering both community and purpose through creating with their hands. Despite the deep commitment, there are significant challenges for a nonprofit organisation, such as maintaining facilities, machines, tools, and other equipment, often amid tough economic constraints. “It’s a shame that the study associations have received less financial support,” Fabricio reflects.
“For many, this is not just a hobby—it’s a way to find calm and peace in a stressful daily life.”
![](https://sjobergs.se/app/uploads/2024/11/Naas-2.jpg")
We also visited Nääs Craft Seminar, where Fabricio holds weekend courses, including the popular “Crafts for the Terrified.” In the beautiful setting, with autumn sunlight streaming through the large windows, both students and teachers are inspired. Here, with workbenches in front and Otto Salomon’s paintings on the walls, the tradition of craftsmanship and hope for its future feels palpable.
Fabricio Gatica is passionate about preserving and sharing the joy of woodworking, and his enthusiasm is contagious to everyone he meets. He lives to create, teach, and inspire—and his world is filled with the joy of creating, both in his own workshop and in his interactions with other craft enthusiasts.
