Beginner spoon carving (Ōtepoti)

Learn to carve a spoon using basic whittling techniques.

O Block Hub, Dunedin School of Art Otago Polytechnic

$98.00 per person

Sunday 26 October: 9am-1pm

This beginner-friendly workshop introduces you to the ancient craft of spoon carving and basic whittling with hand tools. Learn about spoon-design and sketch your own design onto a blank cut from locally harvested green wood. Practise safe carving techniques with straight and curved knives, and learn to appreciate the wood’s structure by working with the grain. This careful and rewarding craft encourages patience, offering a great way to slow down and connect with the material. If you would prefer to learn how to carve a spoon from scratch, check out the complete spoon carving workshop!

Please note:

This workshop is only suited to adults and those who can work safely without direct supervision with very sharp hand tools. The image below shows the kinds of tools we’ll be using.

Cancellation

Bookings are non-refundable. If for any reason (this includes illness, travel delays, and injuries) you need to cancel your workshop, you will receive a refund minus a $30 administration fee. This is provided you contact us at least 14 full days before your booking.

Please see our Cancellation Policy for more details.

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We are grateful to be able to offer this workshop because of support from Creative New Zealand.

Douglas Horrell

Douglas has taught spoon carving since 2017 and makes hand-carved useful items such as spoons and bowls, as well as pole-lathe turning and other green wood crafts. He forges some of his tools from repurposed steel. Douglas teaches spoon carving, sharpening, kuksas, and his carved wood bowl workshop is new in 2025. He also hosts the monthly spoon club sessions.