Spoons, Letters, Patterns: Simple Knives for Decorative Wood Work

The beauty of plain knife work (AKA "whittling") is that you need just a knife, wood, and a place to sit - no vise, mallet, or workbench required. We’ll work with fresh-cut green wood and two basic blades (straight and curved), to carve a small spoon (or two). After a morning of spoon carving, we’ll switch to smaller blades to explore decorative strategies, including letter carving, basic chip carving, and kolrosing. Experience is not required, but participants should have handstrength adequate to open a new jar of pickles.

Kiko's been carving since he was ten and at seventeen he went to Italy to carve marble and has since worked in construction, community development, publishing, education and the arts. Public works include sculpted earthen community ovens, murals, outdoor furniture and other installations. Ten years ago Bill Coperthwaite introduced him to the joys of carving greenwood, and he now makes and sells a variety of spoons, bowls, plates and other beautiful household containers, tools and wares. He and his family also build soil, garden and homestead on an acre near Corvalis, Oregon.

Instructor will provide all materials and tools, but students are welcome to bring their own knives or carving tools if they have their own.

Instructor will provide all materials and tools, but students are welcome to bring their own knives or carving tools if they have their own.