Intro to Green Woodcarving Workshop with Maeve Gathje

Get a taste of carving fresh wood with traditional tools and techniques, led by carving instructor Maeve. This quick overview of “green” woodcarving will introduce basic tools, terminology, and concepts for working with wood freshly cut from trees, a foundational style for spoon carving and traditional Scandinavian homewares and furniture. With a carving knife in hand, students will practice some basic knife grips and try carving a small butter spreader. This class is a great opportunity for new carvers to try a Scandinavian-style carving knife and see if woodcarving suits them.

Wondering which green woodcarving course is right for you?

Intro to Green Woodcarving (previously titled Green Woodcarving 101) is meant for students seeking a few basic tips to start carving on their own, or for anyone considering a longer carving class who wants to try a short course to see if it’s a good fit. Green Woodcarving Foundations (previously titled Green Woodcarving 102) is open to new carvers for a more in-depth introduction (offered quarterly; can be taken after or instead of Intro to Green Woodcarving). This class is suggested as a prerequisite for our spoon carving courses or for situations where previous green woodcarving experience is recommended. Half-day “Flat Plane” classes such as Carve a Veggie are perfect for carvers interested in trying dry wood (e.g., figure carving).

Additional information:

• Advanced registration required.
• Physical ability: Woodcarving requires good hand strength and flexibility (such as being able to open a sealed jar).
• Open to all skill levels; see notes on picking an intro wood carving class below.
• Suitable for ages 16+ or ages 11-15 accompanied by a registered adult. A discounted youth price is available at checkout.
• A $20 materials fee is due to the instructor in class and covers all materials and tools used.