Price £110

Maximum number of places 8 (Places available)

Book Instagram @mc_woodcrafts or contact mcwoodcraftsuk@gmail.com

Course Details

Suitable for beginners and improvers.

On this one day spoon carving foundations course we will work together carving a cooking spoon (for first time carvers) or an eating spoon (for more experienced carvers) from a log using carving axes, knives and hook knives.

You will start by selecting a suitable log and cleave 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 or eating spoon as well as new or improved green woodwork skills

During the day timber selection, spoon design and tool care will be discussed.

This course is suitable for all levels of carvers from beginners to those who have carved before but want to improve their skills and gain confidence in tool use. Participants will be contacted prior to the course to discuss personal goals for the day. The aim is that regardless of level you will leave the course with improved skills and techniques to continue your spoon carving journey.

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.

All tools and materials are provided on the courses, but you are welcome to bring your own tools.

Catering:

For all courses, a hearty, healthy lunch is provided (please let your tutor know of any dietary requirements when booking), along with tea, coffee and water.

We also provide firewood, brew-kit, washing up and cooking facilities, crockery and cutlery. 

Facilities:

Facilities include covered work spaces, an undercover outdoor cooking set-up, comfortable compost toilet, plenty of loo roll, and handwashing. A good stone track leads to the parking area within the wood, this is suitable for cars, please keep speed under 10mph.

Tutor Bio

Mike Craig is a West-Yorkshire based green wood carver and coppice worker. Working in sympathy with the natural properties of freshly cut wood, he hand-carves beautiful spoons, bowls and vessels using traditional tools such as axes, gouges and wood-carving knives.

During his career as a Countryside Management and Arboriculture lecturer and tree surveyor, Mike worked with trees and woodland for over 25 years. Ten years ago, he combined that arboricultural knowledge and teaching experience with his love of working with wood and began teaching green woodwork courses in Yorkshire. In his role asThe Spoon Doctor, Mike has taught at numerous craft festivals up and down the country including The Great Scottish Spoon Hoolie and Spoontown.

Mike loves to teach and has a passion for passing on traditional techniques for working with freshly cut green wood.