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Carver of spoons, Buddhist figures and many more lovely useful things.

I am married with a child and live in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. I work as a Learning assistant (classroom assistant) in a primary school where my ravourite task is outdoor learning. The school has a small wood planted in its grounds so we do such things as tree ID, willow dens and charcoal making. I have been practicing Zen Buddhism for the past 5 years.

I have been carving spoons and Buddhist figures for about 10 years. Recently I have got into Kolrosing, a Scandinavian technique for decorating wooden objects. This involves etching a design into the wood and rubbing a pigment with oil into it. I use coffee powder, cinnamon and charcoal (from willow twigs).

The Buddhist figures are usually Jizo bodhisattva or Kannon Bodhisattva but some times they may be meditating figures. Every once in a while I will carve bowls , kuksas, canoe cups, coffee scoops........ Lots of various useful wooden things. I sourse my wood from the woodlands around where I live and I am mindful of where I select it. Broken branches, trees that are wing ba aged or have been been felled.

Spoon carving is a great way to outside and into the woods and to meet people, there is a growing carvers community. Recently I helped with the first Great Scottish Spoon Hoolie, Scotland's first spoon festival. It's a very addictive craft that results in lots of lovely tactile wooden object for you to purchase, use and love.