The wonder of a spoon
Where does the fascination for wooden spoons come from? What is it that makes it so special to have a simple object made by your own hands?
As a passionate woodcarver and someone always in awe by nature, I have asked this to myself several times. Now, I also invite you to ponder about it.
First imagine you are going for a walk on a local woodland. Or on a patch of forest with footpaths extense enough for you to spend there a few hours. On your pack you have some snacks, water, a small pruning saw and a couple of carving knives. Nature, as gentle as it can be, greets your steps. It embraces your movements and lets your eyes discover what is around you. There are a thousand different things to take in, from the ground up to the sky. Trees, especially, caught your attention. Their crown, the shape of the trunks, how branches dance to find the best spot to grow taller and taller. The way leaves gently swing at the tip of the thin branches.
You come across branches here and there on the floor. Probably came down due to heavy rain or strong winds. Carefully, you select a branch. With your saw you take some pieces of that branch and keep them in your pack. If you find a peaceful and comfortable place as you walk then you just need to get your carving knives out of the bag and start making your own spoon.
My journey in spoon carving began like this. And as I removed wood shavings from a piece of greenwood with no apparent beauty or use, something was happening. Sitting by the shade of a tree, I could feel myself absorbed by the motion of the knives in the wood. My mind was at ease, my body fully engaged in the movement contained in my hands. Every curl of wood removed was shaping the spoon to be and filling me with a new confidence. To have in my hands an object made out of a natural material gathered responsibly was fantastic. That bond could never be broken. Me and the wood, me and nature, were forever (well, as long as the spoon lasted at least) together in the form of a simple and useful spoon.
The Spoon Carving for Beginners workshop is a unique opportunity to experience the joy of carving your own spoons with local wood and only hand tools. You can think of any shape or use for a spoon that you would like to have at home and make it. It can be a cooking spoon, a serving spoon or a ladle. Or maybe a spoon to eat your breakfast with or your favourite desserts. The rewards will not be limited to the items you make and take with you. Wood carving is in itself an act of rebellion towards the mainstream society of consumerism and fast-pace living. It forces you to slow down and be entirely present to the material and tools you are working with. At the same time it will nourish a sense of confidence, calm and playfulness. And as you use over and over again the spoon you made with your hands you will see there is something magical there. It’s the wonder of the spoon.
-written by Ana Gomes
Join us for our Spoon Carving Course.
An immersive journey guided by Ana Gomes & Silvio Soares at Cerdeira - Home for Creativity.