ABOUT THE COURSE
Join us to spend a relaxing day engrossed in learning to whittle and hone locally-sourced wood (hazel and sycamore) on this fun and friendly workshop in the Hampshire South Downs. Approaching the busy festive period, what could be better than setting aside a day to lose yourself in the art of carving your own candle, heart, spatula and perhaps a magical wand as a gift for a child or partner!
Your tutor, Chris Matthews, will teach you how to use traditional hand tools including an axe and whittling knives to carve a variety of projects shown in the photographs above. Starting from a log, you will be taught how to split the wood by hand ready for the next stage. This workshop covers how to handle tools correctly and safely and how to sharpen whittling knives ready for the next project. You can make multiple items or a couple of the same, there will be plenty of time to ask questions and work at your own speed.
At the end of the course you can take your makes home to further embellish for an individual look or celebrate your wooden creations in their natural form. The heart and candle makes would make a lovely addition to a Yuletide tree!
Your tutor, Chris Matthews, will teach you how to use traditional hand tools including an axe and whittling knives to carve a variety of projects shown in the photographs above. Starting from a log, you will be taught how to split the wood by hand ready for the next stage. This workshop covers how to handle tools correctly and safely and how to sharpen whittling knives ready for the next project. You can make multiple items or a couple of the same, there will be plenty of time to ask questions and work at your own speed.
At the end of the course you can take your makes home to further embellish for an individual look or celebrate your wooden creations in their natural form. The heart and candle makes would make a lovely addition to a Yuletide tree!
THE COURSE WILL GIVE YOU
- Safe use of tools and how to sharpen a whittling knife
- Students will learn about wood selection, appropriate species and sustainable sourcing
THE COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR
Anyone interested in learning traditional greenwood skills. The carving process does require some wrist and grip strength. This course will take place indoors.
WHAT TO BRING/WEAR
- Stout footwear (no open-toed footwear) and work clothing. This course will take place indoors.
- Packed lunch or buy from the Beech Cafe
ABOUT THE TUTOR
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Chris Matthews has worked closely with trees as an arborist and conservationist for over 25 years in the mid-Hampshire countryside. Alongside this work, Chris has spent many years exploring creative ways of transforming the timber produced from tree works into useful and beautiful objects for the home. Working mainly with freshly cut ‘green’ wood, using hand tools and traditional techniques, Chris works with the organic forms and textures of the wood combined with hand tooling to create pieces that retain the liveness of the materials.
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Check Out Accommodation
You can get 10% discount when you stay with us during your course using our campsite or eco lodge. Please call us on 01730 823166 to make your accommodation booking. Our reception is open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.
