Spooncarving for all

August 22-23, 9am - 5pm

Are you afeared of being struck down by the spoon gods? Well, no more! Spoon carving is an excellent first step on a life-long journey into green woodworking. Spoon carving has a long tradition in Europe and the Nordic countries; spoons are not just utilitarian; they were given as gifts and played a role in courtship rituals.

The goal of this class is for novice carvers to gain confidence in using a knife and axe. Students will learn knife and axe safety, sharpening, handling and choosing wood, spoon design, and finishes. 

  • Tuition: $298 per participant

  • Apply for a scholarship

  • Materials Fee: $30to be paid to instructor, includes branches and logs for practice and two spoon blanks

  • Optional Tools to Bring: Your own Mora carving knife, no. 106 or 120 (no chip carving, hunting Beavercraft or Flexcut knives) Your own hook knife, axe or hatchet and sharpening stones (if you have them). Instructor and CPC will have some tools for student use during class.

  • Age / Ability Level: Novice. 15+. Hand strength required is similar to opening a tight jar lid.

  • Students will learn all the requisite knife strokes needed to carve a spoon, starting with making chop sticks and butter spreaders. Students will carve their first spoons using wood blanks provided by the instructor, and will have the opportunity to make their own spoon blanks with an axe, under the supervision of the instructor. 

  • We will be talking about how to use gravity and lighten grip for longer endurance. Grip strength is not a requirement, but something to consider since we will be using grip all day. Axing is not recommended if you have a shoulder or elbow injury.

    CENTER FOR PEOPLE AND CRAFT is committed to building a diverse, inclusive learning community where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and able to participate. As we launch our first workshop series, we are dedicating space in each class for reduced-tuition scholarships to support anyone facing financial barriers. As we build a more robust scholarship program, we hope this initial launch will remove barriers and expand access to hands-on learning for all.

    Anyone with financial need is encouraged to apply for a half-tuition scholarship. To be considered, please submit a brief online application. Please note that CENTER FOR PEOPLE AND CRAFT is operating with limited financial resources and an entirely volunteer staff. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a spot for every applicant. Each class has one scholarship slot available. Applicants who are not selected in this current round are welcome to reapply.  Apply here

  • CPC is able to provide refunds up to two weeks before the start date of the class for which the registration was submitted, though we do retain a $20 fee for return payment processing. If you need to cancel your class within the two week window, a refund is not guaranteed, but will be considered based on several factors.

    If CPC needs to cancel a class due to low enrollment, teacher illness, or other factors, you will receive a full refund. Read our full set of policies.

meet your instructor

Fred Livesay Fred Livesay is an educator and craftsman based in St. Paul, Minnesota. He carved his first spoon at the age of seven, and did a seven-year apprenticeship as a wheel- and cartwright in his teens. He received his B.A. from the University of Minnesota in Art History, with an emphasis in Scandinavian Folk and Decorative Arts, followed by an M.A. from the State University of New York, Oneonta in History Museum Studies.

He is a founding member of both North House Folk School and the annual Spoon Gathering in Milan, Minnesota. He teaches throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest, as well as in England, Sweden, the Netherlands, and France. In 2022 he was a recipient of the American Scandinavian Foundation Fellowship. He is currently Associate Professor of Fine Handcrafts at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Fred brings a deep belief in the meditative and healing power of handmade craft.