Saratoga Joinery

Woodcarving Basics for Beginners is a 3-part class where individuals will develop basic carving skills through the process of carving a spoon, a bowl, and finally a spoon designed by themselves. Woodcarving is an accessible, satisfying hobby anyone can do anywhere with just a few inexpensive tools!

This beginner to intermediate woodcarving class for adults (ages 18+), led by instructor Mariah Day, guides students through three hands-on sessions focused on traditional spoon and bowl carving techniques.

In Session 1, students are introduced to the sloyd and hook knives by carving a spoon from a blank provided by the instructor, who demonstrates proper tool use, safety, and the importance of wood grain orientation.

Session 2 introduces the carving gouge and coping saw as students design and cut their own bowl blanks from basswood slabs, then shape them using the tools and techniques learned.

In the final session, participants explore the history of traditional love spoons and apply their new skills to design and carve a personalized version, incorporating the use of a mini sloyd knife and coping saw for finer detail and tight cuts.

Tools Used: Coping Saw, Sloyd Knife, Hook Knife, Carving Gouges
Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Ages: 18+ 
Teacher: Mariah Day

Participants will be asked to pay a small fee of $25 as an acknowledgement they are committed to taking the class. These funds will go toward the initial shop rental space fee at the Joinery.

Saratoga Arts made this program possible through the Community Arts Regrant Program, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.