A longtime mechanic’s garage in Tarentum has been transformed with different sorts of machinery.

Jackie Danielle Rearick replaced the car lift and other tools at the former Wally’s Garage with a Computer Numerical Control machine and laser engraver to open her custom craft store, dubbed JD CNC, along East Seventh Avenue.

“I had a vision and this is where my creative side came alive,” said Rearick, 26, who works as an engineer at Cranberry-based Eaton.

The Avonmore native is among a growing trend of women pursuing trades such as carpentry, machining and welding.

According to career hub zippia.com, there are about 289,000 machinists in the United States; about 8% are women.

“My parents saw how my brain worked and what I was interested in, and I’m glad they pushed me toward this,” Rearick said. “I do think it’s a growing field for women, and I don’t want girls to be intimidated.”

At Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington, teen girls are enrolling in construction, auto and other trades, said business industry Liaison Jill Awes.

“You hear more promoting of trades these days so we definitely have a good group of girls in all the classes,” Awes said.

“Girls in carpentry make really good students. They are detail-oriented and pay attention to the finer touch.”

Rearick, a 2016 graduate of Lenape Technical School in Manor Township, said she was drawn to a nontraditional Computer Aided Design (CAD) track as a teen.

She was among few female students in her class but believes the trend is changing.

“In my CAD class, which was a small group, there were two females out of 12,” Rearick said.

“In the grade below me, there were maybe one or two more. I think we’re always going to be the minority, but I do think the trend is changing and it depends a lot on the field.”

At Penn State University, Rearick said there were more women enrolled in her biomedical engineering classes but their numbers lagged in civil and electrical engineering fields.

She opened JD CNC this spring with hopes of using her custom creations to draw attention to the meticulous art of engineering.

“I want to educate people and show them it’s not as difficult as it might seem,” she said.

“I love when kids come in and they’re excited to see the machines. I’m glad to see the younger generation interested in the field, and I want to spark their interest.”

CNC machining has seen a boom in recent years, being used in industries from automotive to aeronautics to medical.

The equipment automates carving and drilling that used to be done by expert craftsmen.

For Rearick, her skills are applied in her day job and her side hustle.

“I’m glad I can use it to lean toward my creative desires,” she said.

Rearick’s store is filled with personalized gifts in wood, slate, glass and leather. There are wallets, wooden ornaments and cutting boards, all designed and cut by Rearick.

A special Tarentum section boasts slate coasters with maps of the borough and tumblers bearing the town’s coordinates. Other items include farmhouse signs, door hangers and humorous tchotchkes such as a jar full of wooden die-cut “hugs.”

At Canonsburg-based supply store Woodcraft of Pittsburgh, Assistant Manager Stephanie Bryan said there’s a definite uptick of females eyeing woodworking classes.

“Definitely in the classes and hobbies side of it,” Bryan said.

“It’s very satisfying when you make something that you can use.”

Bryan earned an art degree in fine woodworking but said a career in that field would be physically demanding. She’s not sure industry numbers will ever swell for females because of the toll it places on the body.

“We definitely have a lot more women doing work around their house and coming in to get advice on repairs and finishing,” she said.

Rearick’s passion started in school with 3D printers and small CNC machines, making key chains and other custom items for family and friends.

Well into her professional career, she continued to take orders for her handmade crafts before crossing paths with Dianna Roney, owner of Diamond Antiques and Gifts in Tarentum.

Roney purchased the vacant garage, which sits behind her store, because she needed extra storage.

Since the pair connected, they’ve established a pop-up shop the first weekend of every month where people can browse for treasures. They’ve dubbed the short road that connects the buildings “Diamond Alley.”

“People really seem to like it,” Roney said. “It’s good for the town that there’s more places to go. Jackie has transformed the old space into a really cute, rustic shop, and it’s all part of the revitalization.”

In addition to the monthly pop-ups, Rearick is open during Tarentum Night Markets and available for appointments.

“I’m trying to have more than home décor,” she said. “We have wallets and barbecue sets for men, and we have painting kits for the kids.”

She hopes to host DIY events where friends can learn a new skill and unleash their creative juices. There are empty frames in the shop from which customers can design a saying in any font. Or, they can have a child’s drawing transformed by laser cutting into a wooden keepsake.

“I’m glad I have a space to put all my ideas,” Rearick said. “I just want it to be a happy environment where people can hang out.”

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