This is a one-day introduction to spoon carving where you will work together with talented wood craftsman Mike Craig to carve a cooking spoon from a log using carving axes, knives and hook knives.
You will start by selecting a suitable log before cleaving the timber using traditional tools and techniques. After roughing out the blanks using a carving axe you learn the safe and effective knife grips needed to carve the outline of your spoon with a woodcarving knife. You will then use a hook knife to hollow the bowl of your spoon. At the end of the day you will be able to take home your own cooking spoon as well as new green woodwork skills.
During the day timber selection will be discussed as will the connections between green woodwork practices and continuing health of the woodland ecology.
Tools used will include axes, straight wood carving knives and hook knives. The correct techniques of using these tools and working with green wood will be developed during the day. Throughout the course a strong emphasis will be placed on safety.
What to expect
Time at ArtisOn is designed to take you away from it all and provide the environment, the time and the guidance you need to create. You can expect a warm welcome, skilled and friendly tutors plus the chance to meet like-minded people keen to share ideas and experiences. You can even leave us to clear up the mess! There will usually be two workshops going on and we encourage everyone to mingle and be nosey about what the other workshop is up to.
Arrive in time to meet other participants over a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits before beginning your session at the appointed time. There will be a mid-morning break for refreshments and a chance to talk over progress with others. Lunch is usually around 12:45 for about 45 mins – you can expect a homemade 2 course lunch. The main course will be delicious but don’t overdo it as the puds are usually worth waiting for! There will be a further afternoon break with the most wonderful cakes from Roots & Fruits Home Bakery, a North Yorkshire micro-bakery producing handmade bread and cakes. All food and refreshments are included in the price of the workshop.
Finish time is given as a target – there are occasions when the session may overrun so do let us know if you need to be away promptly.
We aim for your day to be a real treat… of course you could always learn a new skill in a shed or a draughty village hall with a curly sandwich, but we want you to have more fun than that! So we make it a day being looked after, with good food, good company and great inspiration!
What you’ll need to bring with you
All tools and materials are provided on the courses, but you are welcome to bring your own tools. No open-toed footwear due to sharp tool use.
