Traditional spoon carving decoration workshop

Beginner woodworking

Enhance your hand-carved spoons with traditional decorative techniques.

Take your spoon carving skills to the next level in this hands-on, three-hour workshop led by experienced spoon carver Bradley van Luyt. You'll explore a range of traditional decorative techniques that add unique character and detail to your spoons.

Starting with a spoon—either one you've carved yourself or one provided—you’ll learn how to carve a finial, master chip carving and practise kolrosing---a fine-line engraving technique that enhances the wood’s natural beauty. We’ll also discuss additional embellishment methods, including pyrography, painting and finishing techniques, to inspire new creative directions in your work.

This workshop is perfect for those looking to refine their spoon carving skills and introduce decorative artistry into their craft. If you're new to spoon carving, we recommend pairing this class with Spoon Carving Class with Woody Weeds earlier in the day (9am - 12pm), where you'll learn the fundamentals and carve a spoon ready for decoration.

1 x 3 hour session
$169 per person
Open to students 18 and over
Course includes some physical exertion

    • Appreciate the value of second-hand timber and green wood

    • Understanding of different woody weeds that are appropriate for hand carving

    • Understand the structural properties of timber

    • Safely and effectively use a variety of carving hand tools

    • Understand spoon carving terminology and tools

    • This workshop is aimed at people with no experience with woodwork. It is open to anyone 18 years and over.

    • Although suitable for beginners, if you are new to spoon carving we recommend taking our "Spoon Carving Class with Woody Weeds" so you learn how to carve your own spoon and then decorate it.

    • The course is run using entirely hand tools so you need to be aware that there is an element of physicality involved.

  • By the end of this woodwork spoon carving course, you should have:

    • A hand-carved and decorated wooden spoon

    • Knowledge of a variety of traditional decorative techniques and finishes

    • Knowledge to use a variety of hand-carving tools safely and effectively, such as a slöjd knife, sheep's-foot chip-carving knife and kolrosing knife

    • 3 hours away from screens!

    • You are encouraged to bring your own face mask, or one can be bought from Among The Trees.

    • Protective eyewear and ear protection can be borrowed during the class. Any borrowed PPE needs to be sanitised after use.

    • You are required to wear closed-toe shoes.

    • Please wear clothing that can get dirty (e.g. sawdust will be present).

    • Long hair needs to be tied back and no loose-hanging jewellery should be worn.