Some of Robin Wood’s collected spoons, at lunch, made by as many different carvers. Note the bowls, too… Robin has been making bowls and spoons for twenty years, as well as doing research, writing, and advocating for hand craft. I got to visit in April, which was a huge gift. Click on the photo to goto Robin’s website, full of good things (browse the blog, too)
This summer, I’ll be teaching three spoon carving classes, all on Saturdays:
May 21
June 18 and
August 20
Classes are hosted by friends Richard and Charlene at Nanacardoon, their wonderful 1.5 acre suburban food-forest/garden/learning ground. It was very popular (and fun) — we spend a day learning about wood and basic axe and knife techniques so that everyone can go home w/a spoon. Click to see more about the class and to register (great grub included!)
I’ll also be teaching green woodworking at a couple of primitive skills gatherings: Buckeye, in CA, May 1 – 7 (already full) And Echoes in Time, near Salem OR, July 17-23. There are many gatherings all different times of year, all over the country (almost every month of the year!) For a pretty complete list, click here.
If anyone asks, here’s one version of why it’s good to carve a spoon (thanks to Robin Wood for the reference):
Hi Kiko,
I just listened to your segment on splendid table. I love the idea and simplicity /elegance of spoon sculpting that you talked about. I am a part time ceramic artist and painter. I have a similar question. I live in the Sarasota Florida area and am interested in learning spoon carving. Is there a book or video that can get me started? I have not found anywhere close by that teaches spoon making. Thank you
Judy
Hi, Judy,
thanks for writing. While the best thing is always to find someone to sit down and carve with, there’s a lot of material out there for learning spoon carving. Willie Sundqvist’s book is perhaps the classic one; Barn the Spoon just put one out that’s also good; there are more. They’ll all come up on Amazon. And there are LOTS of videos on youtube, some traditional and some new. (I really like Stuart King’s videos, from before the current craze.) There’s a Facebook group that I don’t know much about. But Barn the Spoon’s Greenwood Guild in London has just started a subscription series of carving videos that might be the best place to spend money if you can’t find someone to whittle with. Best wishes from here.
loved the piece on Splendid Table yesterday. I am in Wisconsin and cannot get to Oregon for a class. Is there a book? I also wonder what kind of wood is best. Thanks
There are several schools near you that offer spoon-carving classes — look up “folk school” and “greenwood spoon carving” — the one I know best is North House Folk School, in Grand Marais, but I know there are some in WI too. As for books, there’s the classic by Willie Sundqvist, as well as some others…