Spoon Carving Workshop

£80.00

This is a beginners class, no experience in using wood, knives or axes is necessary. If you have some experience then this will help you progress faster.

 

2024 Course Dates:

Saturday 7th September 2024

 

Time: 10am – 5pm

Price: £80 per person

Minimum age: 16.

Description

This is a beginners class, no experience in using wood, knives or axes is necessary. If you have some experience then this will help you progress faster. Beginners or those with little experience would benefit from attending the Wild Wood Whittling course. Minimum age for this course is 16.

We use spoons every day and usually give them little thought. They are wonderful examples of 3D design and art meeting function, with their almost infinite variety of shapes and form. People have carved wooden spoons since we began working wood, a tradition that is still alive today with more and more people taking up this practical and rewarding pastime.

Spoons come in all shapes and sizes: eating, serving, cooking, sculptural, and love-spoons. This workshop will concentrate on spoons for eating with, and smaller serving spoons. Depending on your ability, you will take home at least one spoon and the techniques used in making, so you can continue making spoons at home. Spoon carving tools will be on sale at the workshop.

You will learn:

  • How to use an axe and knife safely. Step by step tuition is given in each axe and knife technique.
  • What wood to use and what part of the tree to use.
  • How to shape the billet of wood using an axe.
  • How to refine and finish the roughed out blank using a range of knives.
  • Cutting out the bowl of the spoon using curved spoon knives. You be able to try out various spoon knives and other tools for hollowing the bowl.
  • How to finish the spoon: a cut finish versus a sanded finish, and what to oil your spoon with.
  • You will be able to try out various commercially available knives and axes.
  • We will also talk about and practice how to keep your knife sharp.
  • You will also be able to take home at least one billet of wood to continue making spoons.

 


**Please Note**

Hot & cold drinks, biscuits, cake and fruit will all be provided, but we ask that all participants bring their own lunch.

When purchasing your ticket, please ensure you complete the form to make us aware of any health conditions or allergies as well as any additional support that you may need during your day with us.

Testimonials

What previous participants said:

Excellent instruction, fully explained. I felt well equipped to carry on as a hobby.”

What a fabulous venue and exceptional hosts!”

Careful and meaningful explanation with practical hands on. When’s the next one?!”

I would highly recommend this course to anybody that lives a busy life to settle the mind and body.”

Sean was an excellent teacher, always on the ball and actively helpful.”

An informative introduction to the world of whittling…fun and relaxing.”

Tutor was down to earth and approachable. It was lovely to have something to take home.”

I really enjoyed the course – I haven’t learned so much in such a short time.”

About the tutor; Sean Hellman

Sean Hellman has been practicing, teaching and demonstrating green woodwork skills for over 20 years. Based in South Devon, he runs a business selling bespoke sculptural and traditional wooden seating, and original items for the home and garden. Sean’s passion is learning and teaching traditional wood crafts, including making wooden spoons, carved cups, bowl-turning, shrink pots, etc. He is the only professional green woodworker making and selling ‘fan birds’ in the UK.

Sean not only teaches and makes, but is an active writer and has a regular blog about woodworking, offering advice and inspiration about the joys of working green wood. He is an active member of the ‘Bodgers Forum’ the largest green woodworking forum in the world.

Some of his articles can be seen in various woodworking magazines such as Living Woods. Sean last TV appearance was on Edwardian Farm making a coracle with Alex Langlands.

Sean has recently taken on a full time apprentice.

“The ease of learning new skills…fantastic course well taught.” – course participant

“Hands on course doing something real!” – course participant

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