Upcoming Summer Learning Opportunities
I wanted to let you know about some upcoming opportunities I am offering, for those interested in starting their own green woodworking journey. As a teacher by profession, I always want to share my knowledge and what I am interested in out to others. This is my small part in continuing to build a community of green woodworkers who want to share their knowledge with others.
All of my classes have you leaving with a new or refined set of skills, as well as a physical item as a reflection of that learning. The methods taught will be based on what I have personally found to be effective in my practice, but all learners are different, and I will work to adjust to your individual needs. I also want to make sure that such a physical activity can be accessible to all levels of physical ability, and I will work to teach you safe and effective ways to use your body in accordance with any physical limitations. You will also leave each class with a recommendation of other resources to check out, in order to further your learning beyond the class, and to see how other makers might approach the same topic differently.
All classes will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Those who sign up after the class has been filled will be placed on a waiting list for the current class and future classes of the same type. Those enrolled in the class will be sent an invoice for class payment, which must be submitted at least one week prior to the class date. If the enrolled participant fails to pay for the class at least one week in advance, their spot will be given to the first person on the waiting list for that class.
Below is a list of the upcoming classes currently scheduled for this summer, as well as unscheduled learning opportunities.
June 18, 2023 - Father’s Day Beginner Greenwood Spoon Carving - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
This class is not only open to fathers, but it would be pretty cool if we could fill it up that way!
While this class is labeled as a “beginner” course, all levels of carvers are invited to attend. This class will focus on the process of turning a billet of wood into a finished spoon, fit for use in your kitchen. Whether you choose to make an eating spoon, cooking spoon, or something more specific, you will be guided in the process of turning a piece of split greenwood into a functional tool. The morning session will consist of learning to use safe and efficient techniques with a carving axe and greenwood saw to turn a billet into a rough spoon blank. This will include learning what makes a spoon good for specific situations and how to design a spoon that will meet that need. After axing the spoon blank, the focus will shift to safe practices with a slöjd knife and hook knife, before using these tools to “rough out” the shape and details of the spoon. After a lunch break, and some time for the roughed out spoons to dry a little, the afternoon will focus on making finishing cuts to create surfaces and shapes that are pleasing to both the hand and the eye. Finally, we will finish up by learning about ways to finish and care for your spoons so that they can last longer than you and be passed down to future generations.
The price of this class is $70, which will include lunch and all furnished tools. Participants are allowed to bring their own tools, but it is not necessary.
Class registration is limited to 5 participants, but auditors are welcome to sign up.
Participants must be at lest 18 years old or at least 16 years old with a parent-signed waiver.
July 8, 2023 - Beginner Greenwood Spoon Carving - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
This class is the exact same class listed above, and all information is the same.
July 22, 2023 - Intro to Greenwood Carving - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
This class is intended to be primer for some of the basic skills that are used across many green woodworking disciplines, and will focus around the use of a slöjd knife. The first section of this class will focus on safe ad efficient carving techniques that can be used to create many different wooden objects. We will also work on how to read the grain of the wood in items where it is not always apparent. After practice with these techniques, participants will be guided in carving an object of their choice, either a jam/butter spreader or a mountable coat hook from a small branch junction. Finally, we will finish up by learning about ways to finish and care for you work so that it can last longer than you and be passed down to future generations. If time permits, participants will have the chance to carve the second item, or take home materials to care this item later.
The price of this class is $40, which includes furnished tools. Participants are allowed to bring their own tools, but it is not necessary.
Class registration is limited to 5 participants, but auditors are welcome to sign up.
Participants must be at lest 18 years old or at least 16 years old with a parent-signed waiver.
Individual Sessions - open scheduling
Individual sessions are intended to be tailored to the needs of the participant, in a one-on-one learning environment. This means that these sessions are open to whatever the participant is hoping to learn, whether that be learning a new skill completely, improving on previously learned skills, or gaining advice and guidance towards executing a project. This also means that individual sessions may take place over one day or multiple days. The goal of individual sessions is to allow the participant to gain specific information that they may not find in other classes.
The price will be determined between the participant and teacher, based on the amount of time, specific tooling, and knowledge needed for the sessions(s).
Participants must be at lest 18 years old or at least 16 years old with a parent-signed waiver.
Group Sessions- open scheduling
Group sessions are intended to be tailored to the needs of the group, in a more focused learning environment. Group sessions are ideal for groups of friends who are all interested in learning a common skill or want a fun activity to do together. Group sessions can also be utilized as a team-building exercise for co-workers or members of a team-based organization. Group sessions follow the same philosophy as the individual sessions described above.
The price will be determined between one group leader and the teacher, based on the amount of participants, amount of time, specific tooling, and knowledge needed for the sessions(s). Payment will be billed as one invoice for the total amount of all participants to the group leader.
Participants must be at lest 18 years old or at least 16 years old with a parent-signed waiver.
If any of the learning opportunities interest you, you can learn how to get enrolled by going to the “Classes” tab or by emailing me using the link at the top and bottom of this page.
