Wooden Spoon Carving
A course by Andrea CortésCarpenter and craftswoman
A course by Andrea Cortés, Carpenter and craftswoman
Learn the techniques and basic tools for spoon carving
Spoon carving is a sensorial process that connects you with your hands while freeing you from your mind. This is what Andrea Cortés, founder of Barcelona Wood Workshops, a woodworking workshop where the positive aspect of manual work and creativity through this material is promoted on a daily basis. Together with Andrea, in this course, you will learn about her working philosophy to create a unique object with your own hands.
Learn the techniques for carving spoons with hand tools, the characteristics and types of wood, and the care and sharpening of the tools, as well as different design and finishing exercises. Beyond the final object, carving wood is an almost meditative practice that will make you connect with your own hands while freeing your mind and learning something new.
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 22 downloads
Wood
3 minutes, 22 seconds
The fibers: direction and movement
4 minutes, 39 seconds
The straight knife
5 minutes, 52 seconds
Sharpening and care of tools
7 minutes, 4 seconds
Design the spoon
6 minutes, 40 seconds
The general form
17 minutes, 6 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start the course by getting to know Andrea, how she started in 2014 to work with wood as a hobby, and how in 2018 she turned it into a job, founding her project Barcelona Wood Workshops. She also tells you about some of her influences.
In the second unit, learn about wood and its characteristics, see how to identify the appropriate one for this type of carving, and understand basic concepts of its structure, such as the anatomy of fibers, to carve wood easily.
In the third unit, go deeper into the tools you will use (axe, straight knife, or hollow knife) seeing the most common techniques for each one and some recommendations about the care and sharpening of these.
In the fourth unit, Andrea talks to you about the key premises for designing a spoon, showing you the different types and how to draw them. See the resources needed for sketching them and how to create templates for your spoon designs. You can do this by hand or with the help of drawing software.
In the last unit, learn how to carve the spoon from start to finish: from preparing the wood, to cutting with an axe to get closer to the shape of your design and, finally, carving with the knives. Finish by oiling it and putting the finishing touches on it when the piece is dry. And you'll have your spoon ready to give away or use yourself: Bon appetit!
What is this course's project?
Create a hand-carved wooden spoon.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
For anyone who wants to explore a wood carving technique, connect with their hands, and develop a new skill.
Requirements and materials
You won't need any prior knowledge, however, you will need to be careful and focused when using the following woodworking tools: you will need a Sloyd carving knife or similar, a hollowed-out or hook knife, a small axe, and a saw.
Reviews
- lerensoyPLUS2 months ago
çok faydalandım açıkcası, ders içeriği ve anlatım oldukça sade ve anlaşılabilir nitelikte
- 3 months ago
Adatto ai principianti, consente di apprendere le tecniche base della lavorazione del legno!
- 5 months ago
Excelente curso con lo básico para iniciarse en el tallado manual de cucharas. Una guía sencilla, práctica y muy bien explicada que insiste en los detalles y la paciencia necesaria para lograrlo.
- 8 months ago
This course was very good! The instructor was very thorough and clear with her instructions. I learned more than I expected about spoon carving. Thank you!
- 1 year ago
J'ai beaucoup aimé voir ce cours. Le récapitulatif des différents gestes à exécuter avec les couteaux est particulièrement bien fait et très utile.
The aim of this project is to rescue a trade that is being lost in a world that promotes unbridled consumption and in which craftsmanship and objects made to last are no longer valued. In just two years, they have held more than 50 workshops with over 300 participants.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- What will we do in the course?
- U2
Wood
- Everything you will need
- Wood
- The fibers: direction and movement
- U3
Tools
- Axe
- The straight knife
- The hook knife
- Sharpening and care of tools
- U4
Design
- Types of spoons
- Curvature
- Design the spoon
- U5
The project: a spoon
- Prepare the wood
- The general form
- Initial carving
- Final carving and finishing
- FP
Final project
- Carving wooden utensils with hand tools
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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FAQs
You’ll learn how to select wood, use hand tools, carve a spoon from start to finish, apply safe cutting techniques, design functional utensils, and finish wooden pieces with protective coatings.
Prior experience isn’t required, but the course is ideal for those with basic woodworking knowledge or an interest in handcraft techniques.
You’ll need suitable wood, a carving knife, a small axe, a hook knife, sandpaper, mineral oil, and safety gear like gloves and a stable work surface.
Yes, the course teaches traditional whittling techniques, including Scandinavian methods for carving spoons and other wooden items.
It’s recommended to use green wood or softwoods like basswood, though you can also experiment with hardwoods depending on the design and durability you want.
Wood carving promotes focus, reduces stress, and develops manual skills, offering a creative and almost meditative experience.
Yes, the course covers sharpening, maintenance, and wear prevention for knives and axes to ensure safe, precise cuts.