Experience / Events / Advanced Scandinavian Shrink Box Carving

Advanced Scandinavian Shrink Box Carving

This program is sold out. Please call 612-871-4907 to be added to a waitlist.

This class runs September 11-November 6, 6:30-9 pm each session. There will be a one week break, date TBD.

Build your woodcarving skills in this 8-week course with master woodworker Paul Linden. Krympburkar or shrink boxes are an old and ingenious type of container combining green and dry wood to make a sealed vessel and have been used since Viking times to hold everything from butter to buttons. Using fresh branches and dry wood for the bases and lids, students will use a variety of hand tools to measure, cut, and hollow the boxes, then fit a dry wood bottom which will be locked in place as the green wood shrinks around it. Fitting lids, adding embellishment, and finishing the boxes will be addressed throughout class. This class uses shrink boxes to explore intermediate and advanced techniques of woodworking in the spirit of slöjd, the Swedish handcraft tradition of creating beautiful and functional objects. Each week may also cover a variety of other topics including tool maintenance/sharpening, acquiring materials, and design. Students will complete all or part of several small shrink boxes throughout this class, but please note that this class will focus on skills rather than bringing objects all the way to completion in the classroom.

This class is suitable for students who already have green woodcarving experience, such as taking several multi-day classes or previously carved spoons, bowls, or other green wood items and who are looking to increase their skills. Students are working in green wood in this class and must have good hand strength and flexibility to be successful with the materials. A $50 materials fee paid to the instructor the first week covers all tools and materials for the entire course. Students may also wish to bring their own favorite carving tools. Suitable for ages 16+.