I am a spoon carver from board and branch. I made my first spoon in November 2014, having no previous experience with wood working or as a maker. My journey began by watching a small apple wood spoon being carved and I decided I wanted to give it a try – I was hooked from there! I enjoy the smell and feel of the wood as I work with it, and the process of discovering its character. I don’t have preconceived notions of what my spoons will look like as I begin, and I find that there are always some surprises to be discovered within the wood.
I prefer working with dry wood – this does at times make it more difficult, but the wood is more stable and less likely to check. I work with locally sourced woods: lilac, plum, apple, sycamore, cherry, walnut, pussy willow, and birch. I use butternut, cherry, and walnut in board form for some of my larger spoons. I take extra care with the finish of my spoons, giving them a silky finish that is often surprising to those that touch them. I love nothing more than seeing my spoons find their homes where they are used and cherished – family treasures to be passed down to the next generation.
