In this two-day course, we will dig deeply into the Scandinavian tradition of spoon carving using sloyd knife, hook knife, axe and saw. With these simple tools, in good sharp condition, one can create myriad forms and purposes of woodenware, much of it while enjoying the comforts of home and hearth, or campfire. We will learn a basic repertoire of carving strokes, cover spoon function and aesthetic, go over good wood species and how to source them for spoons, rough out blanks, stress safety, gain some hands-on experience with basic sharpening, and learn about finishing. There will be educational exercises with a couple warm-up projects and carving of a first spoon from a prepared blank in the first day, and then in the second day we will all rough out a second spoon (or two) and work to carve that one out in order to improve upon and solidify the techniques.
Date: Saturday and Sunday, March 22-23
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Lunch will be provided.
Ages: Adults only
Materials Fees: $50
Location: Viola, WI
Instructions: If you don't already have one, please plan to purchase a Mora #120 carving knife, available for $24 from the instructor at the class (please bring cash), or they can be sourced online. You may also want to bring notebook and pen, cut gloves if concerned about getting cuts, and be sure to dress for the weather as the class will likely be held in an outdoor classroom. If the weather is particularly cold, we can hold the class in the shop. Available bathroom will be an outhouse.
Sliding Scale Course Fee Guidelines (not including Materials Fees)
Supporter Level Ticket: $270
If you move through the world with financial ease and the means to fulfill many of your wants as well as your needs – you are able to eat out when you want, abundantly meet your needs through employment or can comfortably not work, have access to family wealth, own property, etc. – consider paying at this level, which will help us ensure the long term sustainability of our programs while keeping our offerings accessible to those with access to fewer resources.
Sustainer Level Ticket: $220
If you are able to meet your needs with relative ease while budgeting your educational and entertainment spending – for instance, you are able to take classes and eat out occasionally as long as you are mindful – consider paying at this level, which will help sustain the work of the Folk School at a modest level.
Supported Level Ticket: $170
If you struggle to fund your basic needs and have limited access to resources in your family and community, or if you would not be able to access this offering without a discounted payment option, consider paying at this level. We value your presence and contributions to our community and do not want any economic circumstances to be a barrier to attendance!
Instructor Bio - Nicholas WazeeGale
Nicholas WazeeGale is a lifelong student of the natural world, traditional cultures, and sustainability. His life is intricately tied to the Driftless landscape through foraging plant and fungi foods, hunting and fishing, tanning skins, making traditional handcraft, and obsessively observing and tracking the myriad unfoldings of the living landscape. He is a long time instructor with the Driftless Folks School and other outdoor education institutions, contracts as a professional wildlife tracker with the Wisconsin DNR, and teaches at the Kickapoo Valley Forest School. He is a certified Wilderness Guide through a year long wilderness living immersion course and holds both a Professional and Specialist Certification in track and sign via Tracker Certification North America.
Find him online at…
Instagram: @naturalnuances and/or @wildrootshandcrafts
Facebook: Nicholas WazeeGale
Website: www.wildrootshandcrafts.com