Duration: 1 day 10am -5pm, Saturdays or Sundays
Fee: £195
Next start date: check table below
Tutor: Jon Hall
Suitable for absolute beginners
If the idea of carving a spoon appeals to you, but setting out into a muddy wood and starting your learning by wielding an axe seems somewhat daunting, join us for a one day course that will bypass all that and yet give you the immense satisfaction of watching a fully fledged spoon emerge from your handiwork.
Each spoon will be carved using seasoned wood and we will use Lime – a light, silky smooth and close grained wood- used by great master carvers in St Pauls Cathedral and stately homes.
In one day, you will learn how to create a spoon from Lime wood- a traditional seasoned hardwood that holds detail and is a pleasure to carve with a cut out decoration detail in the handle. This can be a straight handle or a heart, but if you have an idea for a simple design, we can try and make this possible too. Your spoon will be a gift to keep for yourself or give to your loved one.
This course is taught by by Jon Hall, a talented professional City and Guild trained carver who also teaches our one day ‘Intro to Woodcarving’. We supply all the tools and materials and can advise you on which simple tools to buy to carry on this fascinating hobby.
Love Spoons
In folk museums and heritage craft collections throughout Europe and the UK , you can sometimes see versions of these charming ‘Lovespoons’- some with one or two hearts carved out of their handles.
The traditional lovespoon was made by a man who gave it to his beloved in order to show his skills and commitment. Her father would also have been able to see the man’s craftsmanship.
Some of them are full of complex symbolism. A lock denoting security, a cross for faith, horseshoes for luck, bells for marriage and some including interlinked chains. As a ‘pastime’, many hours were spent on them and sailors passed their free time embellishing them with mermaids and anchors.
Want to know more? Check out our guide to Wooden Spoon Carving.