Steve Tomlin Crafts

Spoon carving instructions and templates

Posted on March 3, 2020 by stevetomlin

I have been teaching people how to carve wooden spoons since 2004 and it’s been amazing to watch the popularity of this craft explode over the years. Spoon carving is a fantastic hobby and a brilliant introduction to carving wood, requiring very little in the way of tools, materials or work space while including endless possibilities for design and learning.

Following feedback from my students, I am really excited to have launched a series of spoon carving instructions and template pdfs which are available now to download from my Etsy store. Currently there are instructions for axing a cranked eating spoon blank and templates for a classic teardrop shape eating spoon, stirring spoon, two coffee scoops and a sheet of handle designs with finials and spoon decoration ideas.

Each pattern gives multiple view of the spoon including cross sections along with design notes to help you understand the shapes you’re carving. Start by copying my design then use the knowledge and experience to develop your own ideas. The handle design sheet in particular will help you create new shapes and add decoration to your spoons.

Download your copies from my Etsy store and get started now. I will be uploading more templates to expand the range so favourite the shop or sign up to my newsletter for updates.

Posted in spoon carving | Tagged how to carve, instructions, learn to carve, spoon carving, templates, wooden spoon | Leave a comment

Pounding english ash splints for basket making

Posted on March 3, 2020 by stevetomlin

It really felt like spring is in the air this weekend. I was down near Derby pounding a couple of english ash logs to make ash splints for my baskets and courses. Hammering the log breaks the bond between the growth rings in the wood and allows them to delaminate, producing long strips of wood which are perfect for basket weaving.

It’s hard work but very rhythmic and surprisingly relaxing as there’s nothing to think or worry about other than the movement of the hammer and watching the splints peel off. Seeing the pile of material grow is very exciting and inspiring as I think of all the baskets that will be made.

I’m teaching several ash splint basket making courses in 2020 at various venues around the UK. Please visit my greenwood courses page for details or sign up to my newsletter for updates.

Posted in baskets | Tagged ash splint, baskets, pounding | Leave a comment

Ash splint basket making workshop in Wales

Posted on February 27, 2020 by stevetomlin

I was invited to north Wales to teach ash splint basket making to a group as part of the Halkyn Mountain Living Landscape project which is educating people about their local area and crafts associated with the landscape.

Ash splint basketry is still very new in the UK so it’s great to be able to show more people and I was very pleased to have several existing basket makers join us to learn about this different material.

During the weekend we cover the entire process of grading and dressing the ash splints, weaving a checkerboard base and then turning up the ribs and weaving the sides. A triple rim is attached and lashed into place after which we went outside to look at the process for pounding splints from a fresh ash log.

They were a terrific bunch who worked really well and were great, fun company as you can see from this photo!

If you’d like to learn ash splint basket making, I am teaching further courses around the UK in 2020. Please take a look at the greenwood courses page or subscribe to my newsletter for updates.

Posted in baskets, greenwood courses | Tagged ash splint, baskets, course, UK, Wales, workshop | Leave a comment

Spoon carving workshop in Manchester

Posted on December 17, 2019 by stevetomlin

Another great day teaching a group how to carve wooden spoons in Manchester, working with axes and knives to make unique cooking spoons from local green wood.

To hear first about future wood craft carving courses, sign up to my newsletter.

Posted in greenwood courses | Tagged Manchester, spoon carving, workshop | Leave a comment

Fan bird carving workshop

Posted on December 1, 2019 by stevetomlin

I’ve been teaching another course on how to carve fan birds. These amazing birds are made from a single piece of wood without any glue. It’s a tricky thing to get right but I’ve developed my process now so that it’s can be achieved in a day. Whether you’re a beginner wanting to learn something new or a more experienced carver looking to expand your skills, fan birds are a fabulous greenwood project.

Sign up to my newsletter for details of future dates. If you can’t get to a workshop, I now have a set of downloadable instructions in my SteveTomlinCrafts Etsy shop along with completed fan birds for sale.

Posted in fan birds | Tagged fan birds, fan carving, greenwood carving, wood carving course | Leave a comment

Devon stave baskets completed

Posted on November 28, 2019 by stevetomlin

One year on from being awarded the Heritage Crafts Association Endangered Crafts Award, I’m incredibly pleased to have completed my first batch of Devon stave baskets. These are size #2: approx 18″ long and 12″ wide. Made from cedar with steam-bent ash handle and bonds with copper nails, they are incredibly tough baskets and perfect for harvesting produce in the garden, carrying tools or as a kindling basket.

You can see more photos on my SteveTomlinCrafts Instagram feed. If you’d like to order a basket, please contact me at steve[at]stevetomlincrafts.co.uk

Posted in baskets | Tagged Devon stave basket, endangered crafts | Leave a comment

Spoon carving workshop at Ordsall Hall in Salford

Posted on November 26, 2019 by stevetomlin

Last week I was invited to teach a greenwood spoon carving workshop at Ordsall Hall in Salford. The Hall is a large former manor house and dates back to the 15th century with beautiful timber beams. It’s a fabulous building in the middle of surrounding business parks and with views of the cranes in Manchester city.

These craft courses are a new offering so it was great to have a busy, lively group learning how to axe and carve a cooking spoon from some locally sourced silver birch.

I’ll be teaching more spoon carving courses in 2020, please sign up to my newsletter to receive dates as they are set.

Posted in greenwood courses | Tagged Manchester, spoon carving, workshop | Leave a comment

Winter scything course

Posted on November 16, 2019 by stevetomlin

My scythe season normally runs from May to October with the majority of courses taking place in the spring and summer. However the scythe is a tool suitable for managing all kinds of vegetation and which can work in any weather. So when the Wildlife Trust at Bickershaw Country Park near Warrington got in touch for a scythe training course in November, I put on my warm layers and headed over.

The group have recently decided to try to bring back into management a small wildflower meadow and orchard which are perfect locations for scything. The ground is low-lying, on fairly poor soil and hasn’t been cut for several years so we were tackling long, overgrown grasses.

The group started with learning how to set up an Austrian scythe, hone the edge and the principles of cutting. Then we headed into the meadow to start work. It’s always brilliant to see how quickly people can start to effectively use a scythe with some proper training and for them to see how effective the tool can be. Amongst various comments about how much fun it was and how the scythe was easier and as quick as a strimmer, they cleared a big area and didn’t want to stop as we neared the end of the day.

Austrian scythes are lightweight, quiet, effective on a range of vegetation and, compared to a strimmer, a very cheap tool for land management. If you’re part of a group and would like to book a workshop for the 2020 season, please get in touch via email stevetomlin8[at]gmail.com

Posted in scythe courses | Tagged Austrian scythe, Country park, Manchester, north west, orchard, scythe course, Warrington, wildflower meadow | Leave a comment

Beamish Show of Agriculture 2019

Posted on September 19, 2019 by stevetomlin

I had a fabulous time being part of the Show of Agriculture at Beamish Museum this weekend. It’s such a fantastic location and there’s always plenty to see and it’s so atmospheric to be there and in costume. Put it in your diary for 2020!

Posted in greenwood events | Tagged 2019, Beamish museum, Show of Agriculture | Leave a comment

Derbyshire Woodland Festival 2019

Posted on August 20, 2019 by stevetomlin

I’ll be at Derbyshire Woodland Festival at Elvaston Castle on 21 and 22 September 2019.

This is a great day out for all the family with lots of fun activities for children, unique crafts and furniture to buy. Professional demonstrators and performers will share their amazing skills, from sawmills and carving to wood turning, weaving, horse logging and many opportunities for you to have a go.

Visitor attractions will include the Vikings of Middle England camp, with crafts, re-enactments, combat and lots to entertain you. Arbor, the incredible 18 foot tall puppet of a tree – enjoy his show and walkabout performance, with some lucky visitors being given a tree sapling to take away. The Green Man is also not to be missed with popular songs and stories.

I’ll be there carving fan birds and will also have a selection of my wooden spoons, the Devon stave basket and other craft work for sale. Come and say hello if you’re in the area.

Posted in greenwood events, SteveTomlinCrafts | Tagged Derbyshire, Elvaston Castle, Woodland Festival | Leave a comment