I offer private spoon carving lessons from my home in western Massachusetts. A five hour lesson is $120, and $90 for each additional person. We cover wood selection and axe technique, spoon design, sharpening and knife skills. There is a special emphasis on developing safe habits. Generally, I like to walk people through the entire process by carving two spoons in tandem, passing them back and forth so I can keep pushing them forward to meet the time-frame. In the end, you leave having seen every part of the process and with the two collaborative spoons in your pocket. A light lunch is provided. Classes can be on weekends or weekdays (although I much prefer Wednesdays), and are arranged to fit your schedule and my own. I am usually booking lessons several months out so be advised that a last minute lesson is not possible. To arrange a lesson, email me at emmetvan@gmail.com.

For those of you who are not near enough for an in-person lesson, I have developed an online spooncarving course I am calling the Virtual Apprenticeship Challenge. The VAC is a one-month challenge that takes place with a cohort of other participants (up to 15, depending on how many sign up for that month) on a special DM list within my Instagram and with additional communication through email. Each week focuses on one of the key aspects of spooncarving: sharpening, design and layout, process, and finishing cuts and treatments. I create fresh videos for my IGTV (long-form videos available through Instagram) and YouTube channels, and conduct live carving sessions where you can ask questions. The VAC is $50 and is available each month. To sign up, just be in touch. It might be a good fit for you if you would like the structure of a challenge, a cohort of fellow participants to interact with, and the ability to request any detailed explanations of things that you would like. I am most available to my VAC students, and have created many resources in response to their questions. These are always free to the public, as the point is not to put a paywall on the information: rather, the chance to take part in the VAC is about challenging yourself in an environment where you are supported.

For additional learning resources, check out my instagram account (icon at the bottom of the home page), and also the Spoonesaurus instagram account. I have a YouTube channel with a number of videos of myself carving, and if you are really hooked, you can subscribe to the Spoonesaurus Magazine.