A Week of Craft, Connection, and Shavings

Last month I spent five days in Sebring, Florida, teaching spoon carving to a group of curious, creative individuals at the Academy at the Parc. The class was part of their spring practical arts program, an initiative that brings hands-on- learning into a fun, accessible setting, and it turned out to be one of the most rewarding teaching experiences I’ve had. Seriously! Kids with knives is not perhaps what comes to mind when dreaming up an ideal teaching opportunity. I’ve taught mostly adult classes so you can imagine my hesitation. But, turns out, kids can carve spoons too!

The Academy at the Parc had no shortage of ideal spaces to teach in. Under trees, inside their barn, on the Lemon Deck and in their traditional classrooms… this venue was a treasure trove of setting inspiration. Some students came with no prior experience, while others had carved a bit before, but by the end of the week, each person walked away with a handmade spoon and a new relationship to wood, tools, and their own crafting abilities.

It reminded me that spoon carving doesn’t require a fancy setup or specialized background, it just needs a welcoming space, a safe teaching structure, and the willingness to slow down and learn something tactile.

Why Spoon Carving Makes a Great Workshop

Spoon carving is an approachable entry point to woodworking. It’s low-tech but deeply satisfying. Students learn how to safely use carving knives, understand wood grain, and shape something beautiful and useful out of a raw material that often feels intimidating.

Workshops can range from a few hours to multi-day immersions, and I bring all tools and materials needed for students to get started. By the end, they leave with something they’ve made- sometimes rough and rustic, sometimes surprisingly refined- and a genuine sense of accomplishment.

Interested in Hosting a Carving Class?

Teacher at a chalkboard instructing about wood for a spoon carving class. — Instructing the students on working with wood.

I’m currently booking weekend and week-long spoon carving workshops for the Fall 2025 season between October and December, during the months I’m off the boat (I spend part of the year cooking professionally on oceanographic research vessels). My classes work well for:

Art centers and community schools
Retreat centers and agritourism properties
Museums and cultural spaces
Seasonal craft programs
Botanical gardens and nature-focused venues
Private groups or hosted sessions in meaningful spaces

Whether it’s a one-day intro or a multi-day deep dive, I create a welcoming, safety-first environment that blends tradition, hands-on skill, and a little bit of quiet joy.

What You’d Need to Host

I keep things simple. All that’s need is:

A shaded outdoor area or ventilated indoor space
Tables and chairs for participants
Willing learners (I’ll handle the rest: tools, wood, teaching plan, and structure)

If you’ve got a venue that loves fostering connection, tradition, and craft- let’s talk. I’d love to bring spoon carving to your community.