Newburyport Art offers Intro to Spoon Carving with Eric Goodson

Spoons are central tools in the human experience; they may very well be the first and last tools we use in this life. They also make great projects for beginner carvers, with their convex and concave surfaces and changing grain direction. In this course, students will learn about wood selection, grain orientation, spoon design and ergonomics, and a wide variety of special knife grips (for both slöjd and hook knives) that make carving fast, efficient, and safe. Attention will also be paid to stretches and massage that help relieve hand fatigue. Finally, students will also discuss finishing oils, paints, and decorative techniques like chip carving and kolrosing. Loaner tools will be available, though if students have their own carving tools, they should bring them. Slöjd knives (Mora 106, 120, and 164) will also be for sale. All students will receive a spoon template that they can take home to make more! No experience necessary, and as long as you can easily open a jar of spaghetti sauce, you have sufficient hand strength.