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For centuries, young men in Wales held a more unique token of affection in their hands: the wooden love spoon. Imagine the scene – long winter nights illuminated by flickering firelight, the rhythmic scrape of a knife against wood, and a young man pouring his heart and skill into crafting a unique gift for his beloved. This is the essence of the love spoon tradition, a story carved not just in wood, but in heritage and symbolism. From Humble Utensil to Romantic Token While the exact origins remain misty, the tradition of gifting wooden love spo ..read more

Discover how spoon templates for carving can help you get started and further develop your spoon carving skills. Spoon templates are especially helpful when you carve in batches. I started using spoon templates as a way of achieving consistent results in my spoon carving. Nowadays you can come across spoon templates made of all kind of materials: carton paper, plastic, wood or even thin metal. You can find different spoon templates covering a wide variety of spoon styles, from scoops and eating spoons to cooking spoons. Here’s 6 main reasons you should consider using spoon templates when carv ..read more

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As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to slow down, get creative, and think about how to make your loved ones feel cherished. One way to do this is by crafting handmade holiday gifts that speak volumes of your love and thoughtfulness. While store-bought gifts are convenient, there’s a special charm in gifting something you’ve put your heart and soul into. Here are five craft ideas that will help you create memorable, handmade holiday gifts this season. Spoon carving is a therapeutic and creative craft that offers mindfulness, The Importance of Handmade Gifts Personalizatio ..read more

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the significance of using our hands. Our hands are instruments of creation and connection. In this article, we’ll explore the profound importance of using our hands in various aspects of life. 1. Self-Expression and Creativity One of the most powerful ways we use our hands is as instruments of expression and creativity. From painting, to wood carving and crafting, our hands allow us to translate our thoughts and emotions into tangible items. Engaging in physical, analog activities offers an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and ..read more

Hi Nick, thanks for joining us today. Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your background? Of course! My name is Nick Vorstermans, I work under the name Studio Critical: and I’m based in Manchester in the United Kingdom. I grew up in Richmond Hill, Canada near Toronto. As a kid I loved to explore the nearby creek and go on adventures in the woods. I had access to a community woodworking shop that my Dad ran. It was one part of supporting a community of adults with disabilities. So I guess I’ve always had access to tools and wood to play around with and learned about woodwork ..read more

Indian micro artist Shashikant Prajapati broke the world record held by Navratan Prajapati Murtikar. Masterful Miniature: Shashikant Prajapati’s Tiny Triumphs Shashikant Prajapati, an Indian artisan, broke the world record by crafting what can only be described as the “world’s tiniest wooden spoon.” Measuring a mere 1.6mm (0.06 inches), this remarkable creation has earned him the coveted title of a Guinness World Record holder. Hailing from the Indian state of Bihar, this 25-year-old micro artist has not only etched his name in this record but has also secured additional accolades for his pre ..read more

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the significance of using our hands. Our hands are instruments of creation and connection. In this article, we’ll explore the profound importance of using our hands in various aspects of life. 1. Self-Expression and Creativity One of the most powerful ways we use our hands is as instruments of expression and creativity. From painting, to wood carving and crafting, our hands allow us to translate our thoughts and emotions into tangible items. Engaging in physical, analog activities offers an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and ..read more

Hi Nick, thanks for joining us today. Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your background? Of course! My name is Nick Vorstermans, I work under the name Studio Critical: and I’m based in Manchester in the United Kingdom. I grew up in Richmond Hill, Canada near Toronto. As a kid I loved to explore the nearby creek and go on adventures in the woods. I had access to a community woodworking shop that my Dad ran. It was one part of supporting a community of adults with disabilities. So I guess I’ve always had access to tools and wood to play around with and learned about woodwork ..read more