Spoon carving workshop in Doncaster

Last autumn, I was asked to deliver a beginners spoon carving workshop for TCV in Doncaster. We’d hoped to be outside on one of the sites they manage but the weather meant we instead made use of their fantastic facility in Doncaster itself.

We used some fresh, green silver birch, starting by splitting and axing the wood to shape. The afternoon was then spent learning knife skills to refine the shape and hollow the bowl.

All my workshops follow this format, ensuring you learn all the skills to create your own, unique spoons directly from raw timber.

If you’re interested in learning to carve, check out my upcoming spoon carving courses in Manchester and the Yorkshire Dales. Suitable for complete beginners or those looking to improve their skills.

Spoon carving workshops with Steve Tomlin

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Greenwood garden bench


Spring is finally here in the UK after what has seemed a very year so far and I’ve been out tidying and preparing my tiny back yard. This weekend I decided what I really needed was some seating so I made myself a simple greenwood bench.

The top is a cherry log which I cleaved in half and then flattened using an axe followed with my bowl carving adze. It’s pretty quick, fun and gives this beautiful ripple effect along the surface.

I already had the oak legs left over from a previous project so it was a simple matter to drill the mortices and fit them ensuring a good, wide splay for stability. A coat of tung oil and then time to try it out!

I love the simplicity of the design and that so much of the original log is present with the bark adding texture. I’ve still got the other half of the log so I expect there’ll be a pair once I can get some more wood for the legs.

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Spoon carving workshop in Yorkshire Dales

I spent a couple of days with Nick & Kareen who booked to do a private spoon carving workshop with me in Yorkshire.

We started with cooking spoons, axing out the shape from fresh, green silver birch and then shaping and hollowing with Mora carving knives while they learned techniques.

On day two we worked on serving spoons, adding a crank to the handle for ergonomics. This also requires more consideration to carve with the grain. Nick & Kareen rose to the challenge and made terrific spoons again.

We were based at Broadrake Bunkhouse, near Chapel-le-Dale and right in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales with views of Inglebrough and the Ribblehead Viaduct.

My spoon carving courses for 2024 are open for bookings now, including a day at Broadrake. Find details and book your place via Eventbrite: Spoon Carving Courses with Steve Tomlin If you’re interested in a bespoke course feel free to email me stevetomlin8[at]gmail.com

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Scything courses 2024

Learn to scythe in 2024! Scything is a fantastic way to manage your garden, meadow, orchard or allotment. My courses are suitable for beginners and you’ll learn everything you need to use and maintain an Austrian scythe. Courses in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumbria.

My course dates for 2024 are now set, book via Eventbrite: Learn to Scythe workshops

You can also book me to teach you or a group privately at your own venue, email stevetomlin8@gmail.com for details.

 

 

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Spoon carving workshops 2024

My spoon carving workshop dates for 2024 are now set and available to book with venues at Manchester, Derby, the Yorkshire Dales and N. Wales.

During the day, you’ll learn to use traditional axe and knives techniques to safely and efficiently carve your own unique cooking spoon from a fresh birch log.

Spoon carving is an absorbing and fun hobby and a brilliant introduction to wood working. My courses are suitable for complete beginners as well as those wanting to gain more experience and improve their skills.

Spoon Carving Courses 2024

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Ash splint basket workshop 2023

I’ve been teaching a lot at Greenwood Days recently, including an ash splint basket making workshop.

Starting from raw splints as they come off the tree, participants learn to grade and prepare the material before we start weaving.

We fit a triple rim for maximum strength as well as neatness, the same method I use for my ash splint packbaskets. The result is a strong yet flexible and elegant basket. More importantly, the students leave with the knowledge and skills to start working with ash splint and weaving baskets themselves.

Visit my courses page for details of this years workshops or sign up to the newsletter to hear first about future event. I can also deliver the course for a group at your own venue, email me for details.

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How to make ash splint baskets pdf

I love teaching ash splint basket making to groups but realise that not everyone can get to a workshop. To help you get started with this fantastic basket making material, I’ve produced a simple pdf download of instructions.

The guide takes you through the whole process including how to source timber, pound splints, prepare the materials and weave a table basket. Step by step with detailed photos, this is the same basket that you make with me on my beginner’s ash splint basket course.

The ash splint basket making instruction pdf is available from my Etsy store as an instant download.

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Spoon carving workshop for beginners

Spoon carving is a brilliant way to get into all kinds of wood carving. During my beginner’s courses, you’ll learn how to carve with an axe and knives to create a spoon right from a log to the finished product.

During the one day course, you’ll learn the basics of carving and go home with a unique stirring spoon along with loads of skills to get you started. On the two day course we also move on to making spreaders and serving spoons. This includes a lot more about working with the grain of the wood, design and finishing techniques and is perfect if you’re looking for the best way to start carving.

Find and book my courses via Steve Tomlin Crafts on Eventbrite

 

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Highfield scythe workshop Manchester

People are often surprised to learn that I live in Manchester and how much scything takes place in urban areas. At Highfield Country Park, I’m involved in training local volunteers to help with managing the site.

The first scythe training day took place this week and we started cutting the wet meadow on site as well as one of the smaller ‘meadow rooms’ that we’re creating.

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Scythe training for Severn Trent in Staffordshire

I’ve spent the last couple of days training this lovely group of volunteers to scythe at Tittesworth Reservoir in Staffordshire for Severn Trent Water.

We were dodging the rain while learning about aetting up an Austrian scythe, honing in the field and mowing including cutting flattened grass and on a slope.

We also did some peening of the blades so the team is fully equipped with all the skills to use their scythes on the site. Now, they just need to practise and they have plenty of grass for that!

Peening an Austrian scythe

If your conservation group would like to learn to scythe, check out my Learn to Scythe page and get in touch.

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