A real time spoon carving movie.

April 18, 2018, 11:51 pm

I have finally, nearly, almost, come to grips with the movie settings on my trusty camera.

I thought it was about time I made a movie of a complete spoon carve.

This is not a film of close up detail but a film covering all of the motions one needs to carve an eccentric Jon Mac pocket spoon using my three trusty edge tools, Axe, knife and hook knife.

I was joined in the movie by one of my Red Robin helpers.

I do hope you find this movie useful.

All the best for now...

Enjoy.

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Kuksa carving course.

May 10, 2018, 12:49 pm

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≪ Previous: A real time spoon carving movie.

I've just set up a Picatic event where you can buy a ticket for a two day Kuksa carving course with me, Jon Mac, here in the Shire, rural Devon.

You'll find details HERE!

Two day Kuksa carving course with Jon Mac, a leading exponent of spoon and Kuksa carving. Camping and carving in beautiful rural Devon.

A two day course with Jon Mac at a beautiful rural location in Torbryan, Devon. Jon will teach you how to carve a Kuksa (wooden drinking cup) from green Birch, using traditional camp or bushcraft tools, namely Axe, straight knife and hook knife. The first day will involve Axe work, blanking out the Kuksa, and hooking out the bowl, the second day will revolve around hooking out the bowl and balancing out the overall shape. Jon will supply all tools needed, bring your own if you wish. You can camp at the site or you can find your own local accommodation. It is permissible to arrive on the Friday night to set camp for the course start on Saturday morning. Toilet available at the house.

Course requirement.

Prior knowledge of Axe use is preferred.

If you have no previous experience, watch out for my future spooncarving courses.

Kit list.

Warm and waterproof clothing.

Own camping equipment if choosing to camp.

Tent/ground sheet/kip mat/sleeping bag.

Cooking equipment/food and toiletries for the weekend.

I'll see you when you get here.

ATB.

Jon Mac.

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spooncarving courses.

June 4, 2018, 5:18 am

≫ Next: Spoon-carving with Jon Mac.

≪ Previous: Kuksa carving course.

We had a super week here in our wee village down in Devon.

Sarah and I organised two spooncarving courses which we delivered in the old orchard next door.

We set up our little Laavu and a shelter sheet, popped the stove in and waited for the arrival of our first students on this particular site.

It takes a bit of hard work setting up a comfortable site, something that is pleasing to the eye and comfortable. I tapped into some skills I learned whilst working for a Chrysler Jeep roadshow some years ago. Judging by the smiles on the faces of our students, we made a good job of it.

Not only do we have to spend time on the set-up I have to fettle the students edge tools to give them the best of carving experiences.

I'm very keen on delivering good instruction and like to keep my group size to a minimum, five is the maximum. If students require a more intimate experience, I can accommodate their request. Our first students were from Northern Europe!

A super couple, one a fine furniture maker and the other an accomplished leatherworker.

spoon-carving.jonmac.spooncarving-courses-devon

It is often the case that my students are novices who have no experience in the use of Axe, knife and hook knife. I run through the whole process from Axe work through to the tricky hook, including knife safety and knife holds. We also spend some time on how to choose the best part of a log and how to split the round down to a useable size and shape.

I must say, I enjoy kick starting folks spoon carving journey.

The weather held for both courses, it was brighter for the second event, so we decided to go with a shelter sheet and leave the gazebo in its pack.

We used some Hessian gifted to me by Willow Lohr a few years back to create side panels to shade us. It worked well and I will have to buy some more for future use.

Whilst I teach my students I will often endeavour to carve a spoon or two for them to take away as patterns for their next carve. I'm sure it's useful to have something one can reference.

spoon-carving.jonmac.spoon-carving-course

I will post more available course dates here at Spooncarvingfirststeps.com

All are welcome, from beginner to journeyman.

I will also be offering classes in carving Kuksa using only three edge tools, Axe, knife and hook.

Being able to carve these pieces in the forest is a wonderful skill to learn. No heavy pieces of equipment are needed, just quiet determination.

We can offer camping at the site to accommodate two day courses.

Bring your own tent or bivvi.

Sarah and I spent a few nights in the Laavu, cooked dinner on the stove and enjoyed the peace bought on by the setting sun. The birdlife here about is bountiful, the dawn chorus is an absolute cacophony of song, utterly wonderful. We even saw owls fly over camp and listened to them calling from early afternoon through twilight until it became fully dark, then I guess the hunt for food began in earnest. We were snug in the Laavu, it was really quite warm...

We have also been demonstrating at local shows here in Devon

We have confirmed a place at

Marldon Apple Pie Fair

Saturday 28th July

Jubilee Meadow, Marldon. TQ3 1NH

So if you are passing, pop in for a chat.

Before I sign off I'd like to thank my friends and neighbours Tim and Chris for their support.

And all of you out there in cyber world too.

All the best for now...

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Spoon-carving with Jon Mac.

June 26, 2018, 5:24 am

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Hi hi.

It's been quite a busy few weeks here in the Shire.

I've been running carving courses and completing orders for Dragon Kuksa.

These latest two were bought by an American collector.

Apparently he'll be sipping fine Scotch from them once they arrive.

Fingers crossed Dragons like Scotch, I'm sure they will.

As you know, I carve my Dragon Kuksa using the same technique I've been using for years.

Hand carved using Axe, knife and hook.

No electric tools or abrasives.

Pure pie power.

You can find pictorial tutorials earlier on in this blog that may well help you on your way to carving your own. Or contact me if you would like to sit with me for a weekend of tutorial and hands on carving.

Dragon Kuksa.

I have, in between times, been carving spoons.

I have a basket of spoons ready for sale which I have photographed here, and a basket of spoons that need some decoration and oiling before they are ready.

The spoons shown here are hand carved by me using Axe, knife and hook.

These spoons are available for £35.00 inc post and pack, including the USA and Europe.

Simply email me with the Set number and number of spoon from left to right or screen shot the spoon you'd like to buy.

Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Set 5

Set 6

Set 7

Set 8

Set 9

I've also spent some time writing and article for the folk at Fox Chapel Publishing.

They contacted me a few months ago and asked if I could write a tutorial on spoon carving without a hook knife. I've written on this subject before here on SpoonCarvingFirstSteps, it can be accomplished by using a friction firelighting rig as written about HERE or by using a straight knife as touched on HERE.

I still haven't written the complete 'How to' on using a straight knife only for SCFS and it looks like you'll have to wait a while longer, or buy the magazine for now.

That's pretty well all for the moment.

I'm working on another two Kuksa, one is for a customer, again over in the States, and I'm hoping it'll be finished soon.

I must mention that whilst walking the hills of Dartmoor the other weekend, I came across a bit of ground that caught my geologists eye. On closer inspection, and after contacting a local historian, it looks like I may have found a forgotten WWII aircraft crash site.

I'm awaiting news with baited breath.

All the best for now... J

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Spoon carving course.

July 3, 2018, 2:41 pm

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≪ Previous: Spoon-carving with Jon Mac.

I have posted a date for a spoon carving course here in Devon.

Join Jon Mac for an introduction to wooden spoon carving. Jon is a well respected spoon and Kuksa carver, who will take you through the use of three main tools used for hand carving wooden spoons from green wood. He will introduce you to the carving Axe, straight knife and hook knife, and show you safe useage to accomplish a carved spoon of your own. This is a one day course offered for the inexperienced, aspiring green wood spoon carver. All tools and wood needed for this course are supplied.

Follow this link for details and payment options...

Eventbright

See you soon... J

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Spoon-carving-course.

July 4, 2018, 5:51 am

≫ Next: Char cloth production.

≪ Previous: Spoon carving course.

Hi.

I've just added a new date to the courses I will be running before the summer holidays here in Devon.

I'm running a course for those that are further along their spoon carving journey.

I will teach some techniques to allow your next step in your spooncarving process.

The new date is 21st July.

Details and ticket sales can be found....

HERE.

See you soon... J

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Char cloth production.

July 4, 2018, 8:33 am

≫ Next: Spoon carving courses and demonstrations.

≪ Previous: Spoon-carving-course.

The summer is coming along nicely here in the Shire, hot days and warm evenings have bought the BBQ out in us. Home made burgers and salad is a favourite of ours at this time of year.

When I use a BBQ, I enjoy the challenge of lighting it naturally, I usually use a flint and steel with some char-cloth and fine Birch bark to set light to some kindling that will then be covered with charcoal. I had a pair of white linen loons that I like'd to wear when the temperatures rose, unfortunately they have given up the ghost. I thought, as I'm running short of char-cloth I'd put them to good use. The material is purely natural, no man made fibres included, this is important. I have often used Denim successfully too.

I tear the cloth into strips and carefully roll the material, tightly to a size that will easily fit inside my trusty, rusty tin. I don't make the roll to big as I have to carefully remove the char-cloth once it's burned and cooled.

The tin has a lid with a good seal, it also has a tiny hole in it to let exhaust gasses escape during the burn. You can see the hole size in pictures further down the page. It also has a wooden plug that I can pop into the hole to seal it at the end of the burn.

I lit a fire, with flint and steel, and popped the can carefully on top.

For a short while nothing happens, then a flame or smoke will start issuing from the hole in the lid making a whooshing sound as it does so.

After some minutes the fierce flame will stop and white smoke will take it's place. The process is almost over.

Once the smoke has stopped, remove the can and place it on a fireproof surface. Quickly plug the hole. The can is hot so use tongues or a pair of sticks.

With it's stick plug sealing the hole, leave the can for a few hours to cool down.

The can has a roll of hot char-cloth within and if you are too quick to open the lid, air will get in and the whole roll could start smouldering. Char-cloth smoulders at a very high temperature, so be careful. Don't bring it into the house or tipi just yet.

Once everything has cooled and there is no longer a risk of ignition, pop the lid of and have a look to see if the burn was successful. In this case it was....

You can now remove the char-cloth and roll it into convenient sized pieces to fit into your fire starting tin.

I use a small tobacco tin, inside of which I keep flint and steel, char-cloth, Birch bark, fat lighter, a ferrocerium rod and a couple of pieces of cramp ball. This is usually all I need to turn a spark into a flame.

char-cloth.fire-lighting-kit.flint-and-steel

Hold the char-cloth close to the edge of the flint and strike with the steel until a spark catches and starts smouldering. This might happen on the first strike or the thirty first.

Once the spark has taken I introduce the smouldering cloth to some fine Birch bark. Once the Birch bark has caught I can light my kindling and then my charcoal. I'm going to have to stop now as I have to make some burgers and get the fire lit.

flint-and-steel.char-cloth.fire-lighting

I have made provision for a couple of spoon carving courses here in Devon over the next couple of weekends. You can find information further down the page.

It'd be lovely to see you... J

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Spoon carving courses and demonstrations.

July 20, 2018, 5:45 am

≫ Next: Spoon carving tuition at the Scottish Crannog Centre.

≪ Previous: Char cloth production.

I've a few dates to share with you.

We have a busy period round the corner where I will be demonstrating and teaching at some special venues.

The first is the 'Marldon Apple Pie Fair' which is close to Totnes.

The fair will be on Saturday the 28th July.

I will be there with Sarah demonstrating the fine art of spooncarving.

Shortly after, we will be filling the car and heading north up to the highlands of Scotland where I will be resident at the 'Scottish Crannog Centre' from Wednesday 1st August till Tuesday 7th August.

I will be running courses over that time period and I will also be demonstrating over the weekend of Saturday 4th Sunday 5th at the Crannogs yearly 'The Celts are Coming' event.

Follow the link to make a booking for one of my courses.

We may even get a chance to sleep in the Crannog itself.

Then we are headed back south to rest and pack for the 'Wilderness Gathering' Bush Farm Bison Centre in Wiltshire.

This event runs from the 16th August till the 19th August.

I will be demonstrating spooncarving with Axe, knife and hook.

Come along and watch, ask questions and get involved in a spot of folk art bushcraft style.

All in all it's going to be a busy time, we're looking forward to the events and we hope to meet up with some of you soon.

All the best for now... J

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Spoon carving tuition at the Scottish Crannog Centre.

July 25, 2018, 3:44 am

≫ Next: Ticket sales for spoon carving courses.

≪ Previous: Spoon carving courses and demonstrations.

Spoon carving tuition at the Scottish Crannog Centre.

It's beautifully sunny here in the Shire right now.

Although I hate to say it, being a sun worshiper, we could do with some rain in Devon.

spoon-carving-course.spoon-carving-tuition

It's been busy at the stump here at the PigStye Works, trying to catch up with orders and putting some stock on the shelf for our upcoming Mac Roadshow.

I've been busy carving and finishing Devon dragon Kuksa for customers and I've carved a few simple Kuksa for sale at some of our up-coming events.

We're headed up to The Scottish Crannog Centre for a week or two where there are still slots available for spooncarving tuition.

I hope some of you can make the journey and spend some time at one of Scotlands most impressive living museums.

All the best for now...

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Ticket sales for spoon carving courses.

July 27, 2018, 8:30 am

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≪ Previous: Spoon carving tuition at the Scottish Crannog Centre.

↧

Samhain 2017.

December 22, 2018, 8:17 am

≫ Next: Spoon and Kuksa carving courses 2019.

≪ Previous: Ticket sales for spoon carving courses.

Hi all, it's been a while since I've sat in front of the Mac to write to this blog.

I have written un-politically here in the past, but I must say the vote for 'Brexit' took the wind from my sails somewhat.

I've been determined to get out and about during 2017 and was successful in doing so.

Sarah and I have had a super year meeting friends old and new, I've drawn a line under some old projects and started new ones along the way, and I've been supported by some amazing people.

I started the year with a determination to get back into carving larger pieces, Kuksa and Ale hen, I also needed to experiment with ways of naturally stabilising these larger pieces. I needed to sort out a new permission where I could gather materials and clear out one of the old stone pigsties at home where I could sit and work. Along the way Sarah and I also felt the need to get out and about as much as time would allow.

I managed to damage my old light weight tent at the Wilderness Gathering a couple of years ago. I'd used the Vaude Space II for donkeys years. It had been my home on Dartmoor, back packed across France where it was my shelter wild camping on mountain and within woodland, it became my home again motorcycling across France during the early part of the century. It looked after us during the Gathering and finally came to grief on the take down, the summers sunshine over the years took it's toll, that plus the thorn of a wild rose.

Sarah and I always wanted a tipi, a huge one to live in and a smaller, packable one. The extra heigh would reduce the amount of crawling around I have to do when camping. We managed to get the smaller one crossed off the list with a Robens Green Cone.

We took it for a tour of the Southern moor early in the season, the days were wonderfully sunny with spring blue skies and clear chilly starlit nights.

The tipi was super with hardly any crawling about involved. The outer plus it's centre pole runs in at approx 2 kilos, the inner brings it up to 5kilos. We took the inner only and it worked well. A bit fiddly putting it up but I'm sure as experience grows the job will become simpler.

We tried it out on the open moor and under canopy in a small woodland.

The buds are always lagging behind here on Dartmoor compared to the lowlands.

As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to re-visit Kuksa carving with the same three tool arrangement as before but with a new outlook, a new design and solving any stability problems along the way.

I admit to adding one small inexpensive tool to the list to allow me to let in a mouth for my

Devon Dragon.

A tiny 3mm dia gouge, just the job as it doesn't rip the green fibres as a drill might do.
The dragon came about after a friend wanted a 'new Kuksa'. I started carving a bowl with a kind of ale hen tail handle. After a while I thought it a daft idea, it needs a head, of course it does.
It's unusual for me to head for the pencil and paper, but on this occasion I did, I sat and drew the head design in profile and carried that across to the wood.

Theres a first time for everything and it worked.
From that first Devon Dragon Kuksa came interest from many directions, it seemed to fire the imagination and I've made quite a few over the summer.

They are fun to make, probably the hardest design I've carved to date, I think it's a coming together of everything I've learned over the years.
So the drawing attempt gave me another idea and I set to with the pencil and came up with a design for my spoons.

So, the spooncarving tool kit stays the same and the Kuksa carving tool kit grows by one tool.

Alongside the carving I was in touch with the folk at The Scottish Crannog Centre.

I visited the Scottish Crannog Centre a couple of years ago and was very taken by the work put into the construction of the Crannog itself, not only that, but the demonstrations given by the very committed staff where informative and fun.
I instantly became a fan.
The Crannog is now 20 years old and has just been accredited 'museum' status.

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Spoon and Kuksa carving courses 2019.

April 1, 2019, 11:26 am

≫ Next: A Kuksa carving spring.

≪ Previous: Samhain 2017.

Spoon Carving with Jon Mac.

2019 Programme

Book yourself onto one of Jon's Popular courses.

Courses for all abilities

Join Jon Mac for a days spoon carving.

Spoon Carving Courses.

Jon is a well respected spoon carver, who will take you through the use of the three main tools used for carving wooden spoons, from green wood.

He will introduce you to the carving Axe, straight knife and hook knife, and will show you safe usage to accomplish a carved spoon of your own. This is a one day course offered to all experience levels.

Tools and materials needed for these courses are supplied.

Kuksa Carving Courses:

These 2 day courses are for experienced and accomplished spoon carvers, who wish to develop their skills further, and learn the techniques required to make these beautiful drinking vessels. Jon will take you through all the stages in the kuksa carving process.

Jon is happy to adapt his courses to meet your needs:

Enquiries and bookings email :-
jonmacbookings@gmail.com

August - Date and time Venue Price and Booking October 2019 information
DemonstrationSpoon Carving with Jon Mac WILDERNESS GATHERING 2019	15th - 18th August	Bush Farm Bison Centre West Knoyle Wiltshire BA12 6AE	WILDERNESS GATHERING 2019 A Festival Of Bushcraft & Music, Wild Camping & Open Fires. www.wilderness gathering.co.uk Come and meet Jon, as he demonstrates carving at this exciting festival.
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 7th September OR Sunday 8th September 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 14th September OR Sunday 15th September 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 21st OR Sunday 22nd September 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 28th OR Sunday 29th September 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 5th OR Sunday 6th October 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 26th OR Sunday 27th October 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
	Contact Jon to discuss availability for Kuksa his 2 day Kuksa carving courses.

April - August Date and time Venue 2019 Price and Booking Information
Kuksa Carving with Jon Mac 2 day course	Saturday 6th April AND Sunday 7th April 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£160 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 4th May OR Sunday 5th May 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
DemonstrationSpoon Carving with Jon Mac Yarner Wood, Spring Woodland Festival	Sunday 19th May 10:00 - 17:00	Yarner Wood Spring Woodland Festival	Yarner Wood, East Dartmoor NNR, Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9LN
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 8th June OR Sunday 9th June 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 15th June OR Sunday 16th June 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book online at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 22nd June OR Sunday 23rd June 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 6th July OR Sunday 7th July 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 13th July OR Sunday 14th July 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	One day courses from Monday 29th July to Thursday 1st August and Tuesday 6th August	The Scottish Crannog Centre Kenmore Loch Tay Aberfeldy Scotland PH15 2HY	£80 Booking via the Scottish Crannog Centre +44 (0) 1887 830583 info@crannog.co.uk www.crannog.co.uk
DemonstrationSpoon Carving with Jon Mac The Celts are Coming!	Friday 2nd August - Monday 5th August	The Scottish Crannog Centre Kenmore Loch Tay Aberfeldy Scotland PH15 2HY	The Celts are Coming! Come and meet Jon as he demonstrates at this wonderful event run by The Scottish Crannog Centre

↧

A Kuksa carving spring.

May 21, 2019, 9:21 am

≫ Next: Kuksa-Camp !

≪ Previous: Spoon and Kuksa carving courses 2019.

Tentipi and Dragon Kuksa.

Spring has finally arrived here in the Shire, although the temperatures a still struggling to reach mid teens. Sarah and I managed to find time for some walks earlier on in the season and we were treated to some beautiful days on Dartmoor, bright but windy and chilly. Below are some photos of one memorable morning on a walk out from Holming beam, Dartmoor.

Longaford Tor.

Purple moor grass.

Wistmans wood from the Beardown Tor's.

It looks as if we might be warming up here this morning. The Northerly wind which has been a feature here for the last few months has finally disappeared leaving us with a few frost and wind damaged plants, but on the whole everything is fine.

Spring blooms.

Other than walking the Moors Sarah and I have been busy with our respective art forms.
Sarah has been busy making beautiful felt pots and tuffets.

Felt pots with hand carved fairy realm lids.

The tuffet is the fleece of a sheep processed in such a way that one side, the sheep side is careful felted into a strong matrix leaving the fluffy side well, fluffy and the sheep is still skipping through the Bluebells, minus her coat of course.

This one is over six feet long and I'll be using it as part of my bed roll whilst camping this year.

Woollen tuffet.

Jon Mac sat on his tuffet.

Sarah made this large long tuffet in one of our tipis.
It's a bit of a messy process to start with as the fleece is covered in all manor of unmentionables. It becomes cleaner and cleaner as Sarah works the felt.

Sarah Mac. Tuffet maker.

Whilst Sarah has been felting and dyeing wool I have run a few courses here in the orchard and over at Yarner wood, Dartmoor. The Yarner wood class usually takes place over the winter. We will be shuffling things about a little for this winter, 2019 and inviting members of the public to become involved in some way.

Spoon carving students at Yarner wood.

Sarah and I usually start the year off with a day at the 'Timber' event run by the Woodland Trust.

The event is small but usually well attended and this year was no exception.

We demonstrate and field questions regarding our folk art.

An early spring show for Yarner.

The weather cheered a little for our first Kuksa carving course. Three very motivated individuals took part and had a super weekend carving Kuksa. None of them had and experience with Axe, knife and hook knife, however they all made very tidy Kuksa to take home.

I was a little ill with a cold and forgot to photograph their finished work.

Kuksa carving course

This is a photograph at the end of day one. I have to say they managed a fine job.

Students half finished Kuksa.

We set the camp up and settled in with a fire pit to keep warm.

Kuksa carving central.

Sarah and I have just returned from another really cosy family oriented show, 'The Spring Festival' where we experienced a beautiful warm day with lots of interested people paying a visit.

Jon Mac.

We are looking forward to welcoming some folks who have booked with us for spoon and Kuksa courses in the coming weeks. I can't wait to get the camp sorted and sharpen up the carving tools.

Tentipi at Kuksa carving camp.

I found at our recent shows that some folk were flabbergasted that a spoon or Kuksa started life hidden within a round of wood. Hopefully I did a good job of showing them the way to release the spoon. As you know, I use three main Bushcraft tools for my folk art, Axe, knife and Hook knife. My carving style is, to say the least, nomadic.

Round mouth being carved (Kuksa).

Round mouthed Dragon Kuksa.

Round mouthed Dragon Kuksa with milk paint, almost finished.

Fully completed round mouthed Dragon Kuksa.

I recently adapted the mouth shape so as to carve it without using a gouge.

Undecorated Kuksa dragon head

I use decorative techniques from my earlier carving work including a little stab kolrossing.

Stab kolrossling.

Chip carving.

If you bind the end of your large carving knife with leather leaving just the tip showing, you can use it to decorate your own work. I recently bought a wee blade from Nic Westermann for this job.

Relief carving the fiery flame.

I have also started to explore the use of gilding to decorate my fiery Dragons. After all, Dragons love gold. but not too much, it's easy to gild the lilly.

I also utilise the patented 'Pokey thing' once the gold leaf appears.

Pokey thing.

When I teach Kuksa carving I usually ask my students to follow me and carve a simple design as shown below. From this design one can extrapolate from its basic shape and add an imaginative handle shape. I'm hoping to sit with a student soon who I'm hoping will spend a little more time with me at the orchard to work on the dragon head.

Simple Kuksa design.

I have set out a set of dates when I will run spoon or Kuksa carving courses. You'll find the dates in an earlier post or for the eagle eyed you'll find course dates on the right hand side of this blogs main page. If you have an inkling to join me, select a date and give me an email at jonmacbookings@gmail.com I will adapt the printed schedule to fit your requirements.

Dragon Kuksa.

If you'd like to spend time here with me in Devon you are welcome to arrive on a Friday, daytime or evening and camp either in one of my tipi or your own tent for the weekend at no extra cost.

In fact I've managed to lift the dates and they show at the bottom of this blog entry.

Dragon Kuksa.

We'll even sort out a stove for you and a wee paraffin lamp to light your way.

Feuerhand lamp.

Tentipi.

These dates are adaptable to suit your needs.

Contact me via jonmacbookings@gmail.com

August - Date and time Venue Price and Booking October 2019 information
DemonstrationSpoon Carving with Jon Mac WILDERNESS GATHERING 2019	15th - 18th August	Bush Farm Bison Centre West Knoyle Wiltshire BA12 6AE	WILDERNESS GATHERING 2019 A Festival Of Bushcraft & Music, Wild Camping & Open Fires. www.wilderness gathering.co.uk Come and meet Jon, as he demonstrates carving at this exciting festival.
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 7th September OR Sunday 8th September 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 14th September OR Sunday 15th September 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 21st OR Sunday 22nd September 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 28th OR Sunday 29th September 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 5th OR Sunday 6th October 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 26th OR Sunday 27th October 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvi ngfirststeps.com
	Contact Jon to discuss availability for his 2 day Kuksa carving courses.

April - August Date and time Venue 2019 Price and Booking Information
Kuksa Carving with Jon Mac 2 day course	Saturday 6th April AND Sunday 7th April 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£160 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 4th May OR Sunday 5th May 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
DemonstrationSpoon Carving with Jon Mac Yarner Wood, Spring Woodland Festival	Sunday 19th May 10:00 - 17:00	Yarner Wood Spring Woodland Festival	Yarner Wood, East Dartmoor NNR, Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9LN
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 8th June OR Sunday 9th June 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 15th June OR Sunday 16th June 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book online at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 22nd June OR Sunday 23rd June 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 6th July OR Sunday 7th July 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	Saturday 13th July OR Sunday 14th July 10:00 - 17:00	Torbryan, Devon	£80 Book on line at Follow the link on Jon’s website www.spooncarvingfir ststeps.com
Spoon Carving with Jon Mac	One day courses from Monday 29th July to Thursday 1st August and Tuesday 6th August	The Scottish Crannog Centre Kenmore Loch Tay Aberfeldy Scotland PH15 2HY	£80 Booking via the Scottish Crannog Centre +44 (0) 1887 830583 info@crannog.co.uk www.crannog.co.uk
DemonstrationSpoon Carving with Jon Mac The Celts are Coming!	Friday 2nd August - Monday 5th August	The Scottish Crannog Centre Kenmore Loch Tay Aberfeldy Scotland PH15 2HY	The Celts are Coming! Come and meet Jon as he demonstrates at this wonderful event run by The Scottish Crannog Centre

See you all soon.

Thank you for popping by.

Jon Mac.

↧

Kuksa-Camp !

June 29, 2019, 5:18 am

≫ Next: Jon Mac's spoon carving movie.

≪ Previous: A Kuksa carving spring.

I recently took bookings for one to one carving tuition here at Kuksa-Camp.

To be honest, we had a Spoon-Camp too.

Spoon/Kuksa Camp in the Shire.

We set up camp for two students, one of whom contacted me as she was visiting from New Zealand.

We've had a great time carving and teaching, we also had time to shake down some of our equipment well be packing for our tenure at the

Scottish Crannog Centre.

Jon Mac. Spoon carving camp.

Sarah and I will be at the Crannog from Monday 29th July to Tuesday 6th August.

I will be demonstrating the fine art of spoon carving over the course of the 'Celts are coming' event, Friday 2nd August - Monday 5th August and I am available for courses at all other times. Contact the Crannog or email me at

jonmacbookings@gmail.com

for further details.

Getting to grips with Kuksa hollowing.

Sarah Mac will be on hand to demonstrate her super skills in the art of wool felting and natural dyeing. She's a mine of information.

One of our students, Peter, from Preston, spent three days with us learning Kuksa and spoon carving techniques using only Axe, knife and hook knife.

We also lightly touched on the aspects of achieving a fine carving edge on ones knife.

Peter goes through the motions of knife sharpening.

The hook knife is central to my freestyle form of Kuksa and spoon carving.

Such a simple looking tool that one would imagine its use as minimal.

After some many years of using one I have managed to wring pretty much every advantage there is to its use whilst Kuksa carving.

I always try my hardest to pass these skills to my students.

Hollowing a Kuksa with Peter.

Peter successfully hollowing his Kuksa with a hook knife.

Kuksa carvers are go!

Spooncarving class begins.

Sarah and I are gradually establishing the camp to include a limited space for students to camp over for weekend classes, we have a spare Tipi for your use and there is space for perhaps three normal sized tents.

Sarah and Jon Mac.

Working under the shade of a CanvasCamp tarp.

The aftermath of a Kuksa carve.

Peter and his Kuksa.

Peter gets to grips with his spoon carve.

Peters newly carved spoon.

Spoon carving.

We had a super sunny day with Linda who traveled all the way from NZ.

She wanted to learn how I went about carving my freehand spoons.

We had a good time and lots of laughs. She returned with her partner a day or so later and took me up to the local and bought me a pint or two.

Thanks Linda!

Linda carving her spoon.

Linda's newly carved spoon.

Left to Right, Lindas spoon, one of my spoons and the spoon I carved as a demonstration.

Prepairing the timber.

If you wish to join me here in the Devon countryside have a look at the timetable I have posted in my previous posts, pick a day or weekend and if possible I will change the course heading to suit your requirements.

Drop me an email at jonmacbookings@gmail for further information.

Jon Mac.

Cheers for now.

Enjoy.

↧

Jon Mac's spoon carving movie.

July 9, 2019, 1:42 pm

≫ Next: KuksaCamp. A brief overview.

≪ Previous: Kuksa-Camp !

We've been busy here at Spoon Camp.

The sun has been shining and we've had a steady stream of wonderful students.
This movie was shot by Mish and Derek, my most recent visitors, whilst I showed them the stages of spooncarving before I let them loose on some green Birch.

We will be striking camp the week after next when we'll be moving up to Scotland and the Scottish Crannog Centre.

I will be available for spoon carving courses at the Crannog on the 29th 30th 31st July 1st August and the 6th August. Contact the Crannog or email me at jonmacbookings@gmail.com to secure your place.

A one day spooncarving course will cost £80 per day.

See you there... J

↧

KuksaCamp. A brief overview.

July 10, 2019, 6:51 am

≫ Next: Hand carved Birch Dragon Kuksa.

≪ Previous: Jon Mac's spoon carving movie.

We've been busy here at Spoon Camp.

The sun has been shining and we've had a steady stream of wonderful students.

We will be striking camp the week after next when we'll be moving up to Scotland and the Scottish Crannog Centre.

A one day spooncarving course will cost £80 per day.

See you there... J

Pete gets acquainted with Kuksa carving.

Sarah and I will be back in the Shire and available for courses around the 1st September.

Drop me a line at jonmacbookings@gmail.com with your available dates and we'll make sure to adapt a course to your liking.

Jon Mac demonstrates chip carving.

Rebornferel (Martin) carves at Spoon Camp.

Martin (rebornferel) starts his knife work.

A photograph Martin took of my working knives.

Top to bottom.

My MiniMac carver.

My Typhoon Bushcraft knife.

A utility/splitting knife.

My favourite camp knife and food prep knife, the Macro.

And finally, the Grandfather MaChris bushcraft/carver.

My work knives. Top to bottom. Carving-Bushcraft-Splitting-Camp-Carving

This wee lightweight Axe made by James Wood was a pleasure to use.

Go visit his web site to find his stock line.

https://www.jameswoodblacksmith.co.uk/products

Jon Mac using an Axe crafted by James Wood.

Spoon-camp.Kuksa-camp.spooncarving.tentipi

Spoon/Kuksa Camp.

jonmac.nic-westermann.hook-knife-spoon-carving

Jon Mac hollows out a Kuksa with a Nic Westermann hook.

Jon Mac's Nic Westermann detail knife.

Lunch at Spoon Camp.

Martin chip carves his new Kuksa.

Jon Mac's stock at Spoon Camp.

Linda came all the way from New Zealand.

She's an accomplished beginner and thoroughly enjoyed her course.

Linda and I stop for a brew.

Jon Mac using a froe.

Jon Mac hollowing a Kuksa at KuksaCamp.

I broke my thwacker.

Peter hard at it.

Martin is a skilled Bushcrafter who goes by the monica ( rebornferel ) on Instagram.

What an enthusiastic young man !

Martin gets in close whilst finishing his Kuksa.

Martin took a photograph of my very first Kuksa alongside my latest.

I think I'm making positive strides.

Jon Mac's first and latest Kuksa.

Peter is a Forest School instructor and decided to spend longer with me than he originally planned.

We carved Kuksa and spoon, we also touched on the sharpening aspect of carving.

Jon Mac and Peter discuss Kuksa shapes.

Our Tentipi and Canvas Camp shelter here in the Shire.

We try and make the orchard as welcoming as possible.

We can accommodate a small group of camping carvers here. We'll even lend you our older tipi.

Kuksa/spoonCamp.

Mish and Derek.

What fun characters these two were.

We have two new friends .

Mish and Derek show off their newly carved spoons.

Mish and Derek with Jon Mac.

Martin hard at work.

Don't forget to email me if you wish to learn more about spoon and Kuksa carving.

Enjoy... J

↧

Hand carved Birch Dragon Kuksa.

February 16, 2021, 7:31 am

≫ Next: Carving a Dragon Kuksa.

≪ Previous: KuksaCamp. A brief overview.

Hand carved Birch Dragon Kuksa carved by Jon Mac using Axe, knife and open hook. The Dragon has been given chip carved and kolrossed decoration along with the addition of gold leaf highlights. The paint used is 'milk paint' and it's finished with Tung oil. The Dragon sits atop various Birch spoons, some carved with Axe and straight knife only. A technique I've been experimenting with for the last few years. I'd also like to mention that www.spooncarvingfirststeps.com passed 1000000, yes one million hits. Thank you all.... J

↧

Carving a Dragon Kuksa.

June 29, 2022, 7:45 am

≪ Previous: Hand carved Birch Dragon Kuksa.

Carving a Dragon Kuksa.

A hand carved Dragon Kuksa.

I have been carving Kuksa from green Birch for 15 years or so, I’m self taught. From the beginning, I limited myself to a handful of tools, Axe, knife and hook knife plus a few bits and pieces to keep everything sharp. I’m a hiker and hillwalker and the tools I use are portable and useful at camp. For some time I carved Kuksa with simple lines, but there came a time when I wanted to stretch my skills. I started to carve stylised Ale Hens and then applied what I learned from those projects to a more compact, small drinking vessel, a Kuksa. I added a few more tools to my pack, a small detail knife, a folding pull saw and a small length of Deer antler. All of my carvings, whether Kuksa or spoon, are undertaken “in hand” so no holdfast or vice are required. Now, the carve I am about to describe is a little more involved and will require a few more bits and pieces. Here’s a tool list.

Materials and Tool list.

Carving Axe. Nic Westermann

Carving knife (Scandinavian Grind). MiniMac

Closed form hook knife. Nic Westermann’s Finishing blade Small detail knife. Nic Westermann Small Chip Carving blade Pull saw. Silky Big Boy and Pocket Boy.

Green and Salmon coloured milk Paint. Old Fashioned Milk Paint. Gold leaf. Gedeo.

Gilding Paste. Pebeo Deco Vinage Effet Gilding Paste

2b Pencil.

Black wax pencil.

Dark red wax pencil.

Small paint brush.

A few wooden kebab sticks or match sticks. Compass.

Tung oil. Liberon.

Cheap brand Blu Tack.

Clean green Birch.

A carving stump.

The kit list includes cheap brand Blu Tack, use this for removing pencil marks. The cheaper brands seem to be a little more effective. The kebab stick or sharpened match stick is used for dabbing gilding paste into eye sockets, nostrils, bowl rim and collar decoration. The gilding paste is used to glue on the gold leaf. The Tung oil is to seal the carve once completed. The main carving tools are self explanatory. At any time during the carve, up until the salt water boil, you can pop the carve into a bucket of water or a stream overnight to keep the carve wet which will inhibit cracking. Carve in the shade and don’t let the carve dry too quickly.

The first thing you’ll need is a length of clean ( no knots ) Birch or similar suitable wood approximately 6” to 8” diameter and 8’ long. Split in half lengthways making sure one half is free of knots. From this billet you need to Axe out a teardrop shape, first Axe the neck then round off the back and underside of the bowl. Reduce the size of the blank until it fits comfortably in your hand. Leave a little wriggle room on the blank to allow you to centre up and add details later on.

Carefully Axe out a ‘V’ cut to allow the neck to be formed at a point measured from the rear of the bowl equal to the width of the bowl, Axe out the top of the bowl to allow for a sweeping bowl rim. Once you have started the ‘V’ cut for the neck and have achieved a suitable depth, switch to using your knife and start forming the neck shape. For ease of description we’ll call this the inner neck. Use sweeping curved slicing cuts.

You will soon encounter a problem with grain direction half way along the neck. To obviate the issue where the grain from the head end and body end coincide, make two stop cuts with your knife approximately 1/2 “ apart and form a collar where the two grain directions meet.

Use sweeping cuts with your knife set at 45 degrees across the grain to form the first stage of the inner neck, don’t forget that there is a secondary stage to the inner neck which forms the lower inner jaw. Again, use sweeping cuts. During these manoeuvres start working the knife over the complete work, tidying the Axe cuts and centring everything up. Use your eyes and touch to make the shape pleasing, also consider chamfering the rim of the bowl as the inner bowl will be undercut to follow the overall shape of the outer.

With your hook knife, start hollowing the bowl. This will take some time, just be patient and keep your hook stropped. Use the hook across the grain to begin with and change the orientation of the hook, shown in the next two photographs.

Once the inner neck reaches completion you can now pay attention to the Dragon’s face, this is formed using the same sweeping cuts with the knife set at 45 degrees across the grain. Don’t be afraid to saw away any excess wood with your pull saw before you start, there will undoubtably be some. You will now pay attention to the sweep of the Dragons neck from the collar, over the top of its head and down to its face. The sweep needs to be graceful and higher than the lip of the bowl, you should have enough space to lower the bowl lip if need be.

Once you have the Kuksa hollowed with a wall thickness of approximately 1/2 “ on the lower wall, tapering to 1/4 “ at the rim, stop.......

The next step has no accompanying photos. You’ll need a saucepan or pot big enough to accommodate the Kuksa. Pop the Kuksa in a pot and cover it with water, add three or so tablespoons of salt, pop the pan on the stove and bring the water to the boil, simmer the Kuksa for an hour or so. The water should take on a light brown colour after a time. Remove the Kuksa and let it sit over night. In the morning the Kuksa should be cool but wet to the touch, dry the outer with a towel and start carving the planking, you’ll find fairly dry wood quite quickly.

To make the planking effect, start at the lip of the bowl and carefully, with your knife, plane a flat edge starting from the Dragons collar running right round the bowl back to the collar. Tidy this first plank and move down to the next. It will soon become obvious that you can tidy up the width of the first plank by altering the top of the second plank. Keep moving round the Kuksa, adding planks as you go. You may find that the Kuksa is still a little damp, you can go over the planking once more with a re sharpened knife later on when dryer.

Next, cut out the Dragon mouth starting with a ‘V’ cut and carefully working the opening with twisting cuts using the tip of your knife. Note later photographs where you can see I’ve left a triangular tooth like shape at the mouth opening.

You can also start cutting in the Dragon horns at the top of the head. Make them simple and not too fragile.

You will now need to re visit the bowl inner, cleaning it up and introducing the undercut at the lip. Once you are happy with the undercut, you can start to tidy the rim of the Kuksa. Once the rim has been tidied up, it is difficult to re visit the inner as you will damage the rim in the process.

You’ll need to cut in its mane using tiny ‘V’ cuts and pop a little detail around its mouth using your chosen detail knife. You might also want to add a little scalloping around the collar, do this with your small detail knife making a dish shaped cut.

Carving the mouth detail on a Dragon Kuksa

You should now have the basis of a Dragon Kuksa which will need a few bits and pieces of detail adding before it gets a coat or two of paint. The Kuksa will still be “Green”, however, boiling it in salt water will speed up the drying time and relax the wood. So wait a week or so before painting and oiling

Once you’ve tidied everything up and the Kuksa is dry, you can commence painting your Kuksa with milk paint. Be sparing as you don’t need a large amount, a tablespoon or two of warm water should get the job done. Mix in the powdered paint a teaspoon tip at a time to make a watery wash. Follow the instructions that come with the paint, but don’t make it too thick.

Once you’ve mixed, start painting the outside of the Kuksa only, leave the inner natural. Brush on a thin coat and leave it over night. Add a second coat and leave to dry, then mix up a little Salmon coloured milk paint and paint the inner part of the mouth. Again, leave to dry and add a second coat when ready. Once dry you’re now set to mark out its flames, eyes, nostrils and other decoration you may wish to add. Once marked out with your 2b pencil, employ a ‘V’ cut following the marks.

Use a wax pencil to mark up the flames and face detail.

You may wish to add some chip carving around the collar and a little decoration around the rim of the Kuksa. Use a compass to mark out the rim decorations, usually the second plank down is best. Mark around the rim leaving enough space between marks to add some stab carving in between. The compass marks can then be made permanent by using a round ended bone or antler pressed into the wood. Make the triangular stab cuts with the point of a Scandinavian ground blade.

Making decorative indents on a kuksa carve

The decoration on the collar is made by marking out a small eight tipped star shape, using your small detail blade you make three cuts. The first from tip to centre, rocking the blade in.

The second from tip to the adjacent tip, again with a rock in motion.

And the third is a slicing motion to remove the chip.

The design on the top of the bowl is relieved in a similar way with a long vertical centre line cut

and two sweeping cuts on both sides.

The next step is to add your gold leaf. With the point of a kebab stick or sharpened match, drop a spot of gilding paste into the dents you made around the rim, pop some on the teeth and the little scallops you made around the collar. Let it dry so it’s sticky to the touch, then with your trusty antler apply the gold leaf. Just lick the tip of the antler to pick up the leaf. It’ll look messy at first, press it on with clean fingers and let it dry. Once dry, brush the excess away with a soft brush.

The final thing now is to find some fine ground coffee beans, or fine ground dry coffee grouts. With your finger or a rag, oil over the band of stab carving around the lip of the Kulsa, then rub the grouts into the oil, wipe off and you should be left with little black triangles surrounding your gold leaf dots

Now coat the whole Kuksa with Tung oil, let it soak in and wipe away any excess. Leave it to dry for a couple of days and add a second coat, wipe off excess and let it dry.

You should now have a beautiful Dragon Kuksa made by your own hand.

These Kuksa are drinking vessels, they will take a drink of water, spirit or ale.

I do have Kuksa that will take a drink of hot coffee, but be warned, the heat can be damaging, in which case, a good reason to carve another.

This instructional took a while to put together. Do me a favour and restore my faith by buying me a coffee, you'll find a donate button on the right.

Thank you.

Enjoy... J

↧

I've just set up a Picatic event where you can buy a ticket for a two day Kuksa carving course with me, Jon Mac, here in the Shire, rural Devon.

You'll find details HERE!

Two day Kuksa carving course with Jon Mac, a leading exponent of spoon and Kuksa carving. Camping and carving in beautiful rural Devon.

Spoon Carving Courses.

Kuksa Carving Courses:

Enquiries and bookings email :-jonmacbookings@gmail.com

Enquiries and bookings email :-
jonmacbookings@gmail.com