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Author Archives: stevetomlin
Bending bonds and handles for Devon stave baskets
The handle, rim and bottom bond for the Devon stave basket are made from freshly cut ash coppice. I use small diameter poles which are cleft into four pieces and then shaped with a drawknife while clamped in the shavehorse. … Continue reading
Bodkins for ash splint basket making
One of the lovely things about basket making is how few tools are needed. When I’m making ash splint baskets, I use just a knife, scissors, small spring clamps and a bodkin. The bodkin aids with packing down the weavers, … Continue reading
Ash splint basket making booklet
I’ve been making ash splint baskets and teaching workshops for several years now and it’s been fantastic to share the skills and knowledge with so many people. I am always aware though, that there are lots of people who can’t … Continue reading
Fan bird carving workshop 2020
This course actually took place earlier in the summer but at the time I was too busy to post the photos so here they are at last. Among the group was Eddie Glew, a fantastic willow basket maker, who came … Continue reading
Ash splint basket workshop 2020
My final workshop for 2020 was an ash splint basket making course at Greenwood Days near Derby, UK. This was postponed from earlier in the year when running courses wasn’t possible so I was very pleased to be able to … Continue reading
Stirrers, eating spoons and spreaders
When I teach people how to carve spoons, I want them to go home with new skills and confidence as well as a spoon that they’ve made. Having two days of workshop gives the best opportunity to achieve this and … Continue reading
Posted in spoon carving, SteveTomlinCrafts
Tagged patterns, spoon carving, spreaders
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Community scything in Manchester’s wildflower meadow
I’ve been back to Hullard Park in Trafford, Manchester to run a scything refresher for the volunteers who are helping to manage the wildflower meadow in the park. Even though it’s a whole year since they last picked up a … Continue reading
Scything course for Green Angels in Staffordshire
For the last two days I’ve been in Staffordshire teaching a group of volunteers how to scythe. Green Angels is a programme of outdoor training courses run by The Land Trust to give people new skills and experience. We worked … Continue reading
Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace
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Ash splint packbasket
The ash splints that I pounded this spring are working so well and I’m really pleased to have had another commission for this packbasket which I just finished. The basket measures 18″ to the rim with a top handle and … Continue reading
Learn to scythe course feedback 2020
Lovely feedback from a recent scything course; pictured is Roger scything well during the course at Bell Sykes in Lancashire. I am teaching Learn to Scythe on 4th Sept at Chapel-le-Dale, please email steve[at]stevetomlincrafts.co.uk if you’d like to book a … Continue reading
Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace
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