Hand carved oak wooden spoo...
Woodbee Carving£40.00
“Hand carved wooden gifts inspired by nature”
I carved my first spoon after buying a book about whittling at Chatsworth, while on holiday in the Peak District five years ago. Since then I’ve developed a passion for woodcarving and find myself enjoying the process of carving as much as the end result, as it allows me to reconnect to nature through the materials I use and as the inspiration for my work.
My working life began as a farm labourer, having grown up on our family farm in Oxfordshire. I left farming for art school and later graduated with a degree in illustration. For me, woodcarving is the perfect expression for my creativity because it combines both practical and physical elements, which I missed when I left farming, with my artistic and creative ideas.
I am endlessly inspired by nature and always on the look out for wood, which I can repurpose and transform into something both attractive and useful. The wood I use is all locally and responsibly sourced, often given to me by a local conservation charity. The types of wood I usually use include cherry, apple, pear, plum, sycamore, birch and oak. I use wood from trees native to the UK, woods which have been traditionally used for food storage and preparation for centuries, as domestic woods are considered food safe. All the packaging I use is eco-friendly and plastic free and is also fully recyclable.
My work is all handmade by me in my workshop in Suffolk using traditional woodworking techniques. I love the process of taking a piece of wood in it’s raw form through to becoming a unique, functional and beautiful piece. From the initial splitting of the wood, to forming it into billets, shaping with an axe, hand carving with a variety of knives, sanding, sealing with linseed oil and finally burnishing with a stone. Carving spoons is a labour of love!
I enjoy creating both stylish, elegant pieces alongside more unusual pieces and ‘art spoons’, where I draw upon ideas and designs from my sketch book. Here I am free to go creatively wild!
Reviewed by Rini
I wish I could give more stars for not only a remarkable piece but what a pleasure and it’s been to communicate with Stuart throughout. This knife for is a work of art, and will be treasured as such. The detail is intricate and so tastefully done, you would think that it’s been carved into the softest material rather than wood! Stuart’s knowledge is second to none and is an absolute asset to his craft. This is the first commission I’ve ever requested and I’m happy to say you’re in good hands! From start to finish, everything has been well thought of and done with such care. Even the packaging was superb, well padded and so neatly that it can withstand all the knocks of travel yet arrive perfectly safe. I had no doubt of that as I unwrapped it. Now I have a beautiful piece which will be our heirloom and a beautiful keepsake for our wedding. I really couldn’t recommend him highly enough!
Reviewed by Elaine
Beautifully made, arrived quickly very well wrapped. I’m very happy with it!
Reviewed by Laura
I love my tree sculpture and it came beautifully packaged!
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