Wooden Spoon Making: An Introductory Dive into Green Woodworking

Thursday, August 17, 2023
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Tuition: $36   Materials: $10
This class offers a sliding scale option for tuition. Using a sliding scale helps us work toward our belief in economic justice and accessibility of folk education.

This class is suitable for anyone aged 12 and up. Good hand-eye coordination is required. 

Making wooden spoons and knives is an attainable craft that ends up being a useful, practical, AND beautiful tool that you will use every day. Understanding how to shape wood with a knife and axe sets the fundamental knowledge for all other tool use. The beauty of this simple craft is you are working with natural materials that may otherwise be seen as waste and you are creating something, although simple, that is a tool you can use daily.

In this class, you will learn the basic techniques of using a sloyd knife, crook, or “Spoon Knife” and axe work to shape green or wet wood. And although a spoon is just a bowl with a handle (don't be intimidated!), we will go over some helpful design hints and styles to make a more functional and beautiful spoon. Additionally, we will talk in detail to try and begin to understand how wood behaves when it is carved and dried. Finally, we will share useful resources and the next steps in becoming a more confident woodworker. Oh, and you will also leave the class with a wooden spoon you made!

About the Instructor: Amos Kolodji has been a canoe and winter guide in Northern Minnesota for the past couple years. From these trips a love for making tools was born. Those tools have included paddles bowls knives and yes spoons. Anything that could be used in the woods. Also since these trips were primarily youth trips he has enjoyed sharing the skills he has learned with others. He has previously taught spoon carving and paddle making classes for the UMD Outdoor Program. 

Curious about sliding scale? 

Consider paying more on the scale if you: 

• Have investments, inherited money, or retirement accounts

• Travel recreationally

• Want to support others’ access to Ely Folk School experiences 

Consider paying the standard ticket price if you:

• Already include enrichment/fun activities into a monthly budget

• Are able to pay the full price: tuition plus materials

• In a stable financial position

Consider paying less on the scale if you: 

• Receive public assistance

• Have significant debt

• Incur medical expenses not covered by insurance