Carving a 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 ..read more

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   ..read more

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. 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 Pete gets acquainted with Kuksa carving. Sarah and I will be back in the Shire and avai ..read more

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. 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 ..read more

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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 com ..read more

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 finall ..read more

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 need ..read more

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 exp ..read more

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. 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 ..read more