Learning about trees

through craft

A hands-on course for woodland enthusiasts

12 workshops spread through the winter months from October to March

The course is mainly outdoors and set in the beautiful surroundings of

Westonbirt Arboretum

We fell a birch tree and then with the guidance of our expert tutors we make lots of beautiful items to keep and use.

Woodland and wildlife management

A short introduction to how to look after a wood and problems you may need to deal with

Handmade Treen

Make useful pieces from various parts of the tree for your table and kitchen

Carving spoons and shrinkpots

Craft a simple spoon from greenwood and learn the art of making a wooden pot

Kuksas and chopping boards

Shape greenwood with axe, knife and chisel to make these traditional pieces

Birch bark crafting

Get to know birch bark and make knife covers from this remarkable material

Forest furniture

Using greenwood, to make a rustic stool and table

Jane Gray-Wallis

Host and senior tutor of the course

I am a coppice worker with eighteen years of experience working in several woods in Gloucestershire. I teach green woodworking at the GL11 Community Hub in Cam and have been a spoon carving tutor for the last six years. I feel really blessed to be able to work in such a beautiful environment. Though perhaps less so when the rain is dripping down my neck! It is a personal joy to pass on my skills to other people. There is a growing spoon carving community in the UK. It is a wonderful hobby whether you carve alone in the woods or in the company of like-minded souls. However you are placed: come to the woods, breathe deeply and create something beautiful.

Spoon Southwest

Click on the logo to learn more about spoon carving courses with Jane

Course dates for 2024 – 2025

Jane Gray-Wallis – lead tutor

Jonathan – spoon carving enthusiast and shrink pot maker. My craft background is in leatherwork but I really enjoy being in the woods and using the materials I find around me. There is more about me at:

Rootsies.com

Graham

Pete

Brian

Jack – I create unusual and exciting bespoke oak products, crafted using traditional methods and tools. You can find out more about me at:

Riven Oak Design

Ross

Yes it can be done!

2023-2024 course photos

The first course was so much fun. We took lots of pictures as we were working. Click on the picture to see more of what we did.