Secret Spoon Swap

December this year held the second Secret Spoon Swap where spoon carvers around the world come together through the power of their respective postal services. This is the first year I have participated, I think its a really good idea as it gives you a chance to look at other carvers work and get a brand new spoon for the price of a stamp. I received this lovely serving spoon from JP from Essex, it is Birch (from Ashdown Forest) and finished with seaseme oil and bees wax. The wax gives a terrific finish which is perfectly smooth and is something I might try with my own spoons. It came just in time for Christmas - Thanks JP! 

This is the spoon I carved for JP in return, I hope he likes it. Hazel of course...

Spoonfest 2013

Spoonfest returned for 2013 bigger and better than before...  Extra long, extra wet and extra spoony, it could only be a weekend in August in Edale. With a cracking demo by axe-maker Nic Westermann and talent from all over the world, if you like spoons its not to be missed... Anyway, these are the spoons I managed to carve during the weekend, all in Birch as I never can find any at home.

Pre-purchase (above) and post-purchase (below) of a spoon by Jarrod Stonedahl. The early ones are copies of photos found on the web. The copies of an actual 3D object are a fantastic learning curve as its impossible to see the finer detail and balance of anything through a photo. Although I initially balked at the idea of actually paying for a spoon - when I have dozens of the buggers rattling round - it has paid for itself over and over in teaching and I use it everyday too...

A couple with wiggles from following the grain... (above and below)

Post Spoonfest spoons... All Hazel.

The first crook spoon in a Sundquvist style... Hazel of course...

The mega-spoon-haul... Hopefully I'll make enough to pay for next years tickets.

Long (above) and short (below) pickle spoons in a slightly different (and varied) style.

Getting out of my comfort zone - below are the first few spoons carved from a Walnut that blew over in the recent strong winds. A completely different carving experience but the results are well worth the effort as the grain looks fantastic

Hedgelaying

This post is a summary of the actual process of hedgelaying, for one person in particular who never knows what I'm talking about... You know who you are...

Before...

During...

On training days and at competitions, 8-12yrd cants are allocated and individuals or trainer combos work from the start of their cant. The first pleachers (cut stems) are laid off of the line of the hedge. When your neighbour finishes their cutting, the mass is lifted on  and eventually will look like a proper hedge. Hedgers working on their own have the luxury of continuous laying without worrying about lifting on.

"Untangle, cut, lay, re-tangle..."

The view revealed...

After...

significant brash piles....

Binders in place. Binders hold the hedge together (with stakes) preventing it blowing over, being displaced by stock and lifting up as the sap rises in the spring.