Woodcraft for Wellbeing Workshop - 04.03.2023

Workshop: Woodcraft for Wellbeing Workshop 
Date: Saturday 4th March 2023
Times: 09:30 - 16:00
Location: Ambios, Lower Sharpham Barton Farm, Ashprington TQ9 7DX 
Experience: Suitable for beginners and intermediate woodcarvers 
Includes: All Tools, Resources, Tea, Coffee & Biscuits Provided

Woodcraft for Wellbeing Workshop
Join us for a day of carving in the woods and immerse yourself in the meditative and all absorbing world of Woodcraft. We will be making simple wooden spreaders and spatulas with a focus on the restorative effects of mindful carving 

Course Content
We will use a simple whittling knife to carve a piece of freshly cut Hazel wood into a functional and beautiful spreader which you can use for all your spreading needs – from jam to tahini, vegan spread to peanut butter! We'll also make a spatula from a piece of straight grained Cherry or Ash wood.

The course will cover an introduction to using a whittling knife, safe and effective knife carving techniques including the thumb push cut, forehand grip, chest lever grip and reinforced pull cut. We will look at the raw materials, how to sustainably source wood, cover wood grain and the anatomy of wood and give you all the resources and skills you need to carry on carving at home or in the woods.

A Mindful Approach to Woodcraft 
The course is underpinned by a mindful approach to whittling and carving. The merits of woodcarving on wellbeing are plentiful, the single minded focus and presence which is necessary when carving with a sharp knife creates a state of mindfulness, and - with practice and repetition - a blissful 'flow state' can be entered into.

In our modern, busy lives, woodcraft offers us a connection to the natural world via the trees we carve under and the wood in our hands, a sanctuary which is open to anyone with a piece of wood and a whittling knife. 

There is something age old and wonderfully compelling about whittling a piece of freshly cut wood, outside in the woods, around a fire and in good company - come and join us! 

Format of The Day
09:30am - Arrival, Introductions, Tea & Coffee and a walk to the woods (we'll be in the forestry barn if it is raining)

10am - 12:30pm Carving a Wooden Spreader

12:30pm - Lunch in the Barn 

1:15pm - Carving a Spatula

2:30pm - Tea Break 

2:45 pm - 4:30pm Finishing your spatula & Spreader

Experience Required
This is a perfect introduction to woodcraft with no previous experience required, and yet it is also suitable for more advanced woodworkers wishing to learn whittling techniques with a focus on the restorative nature of carving outside, with simple hand tools. 

If you have any learning needs such as adjustments due to mobility or other abilities please get in touch, I'm more than happy to explore how to support your learning together. 

Approach to Learning
My approach to running workshops is to make them as enjoyable and as accessible as possible. Together as a group we create a positive learning environment where there is no such thing as a stupid question(!) and everyone is put at ease to relax into and enjoy the day. 

There is a wonderfully meditative state which can be found when carving wood which can be quite addictive! You'll come away with the opportunity to take away all the tools, skills and resources needed to carry on carving at home. 

Venue
Our venue is located at Lower Sharpham Barn by the edge of the River Dart, home to Ambios and a large scale re-wilding project with some of the most stunning views in the South of England! 

The venue is best navigated to via what3words (professed.lions.scoop) as it can be tricky to find for the first time. Please allow an additional 5 minutes to get down the track for the first time

What To Bring  
Sturdy Footwear 
Warm Clothes, Hat & Gloves (we will ideally be carving outside) 
Packed Lunch 
Tools if you have them (none required though!)

Terms & Conditions
Suitable for Adults (18+) 
Non Refundable, Transferable

Early Bird Tickets are available for £55 

Standard Tickets are available for £65

Concessions will be made available once 6 places are filled. If you would like to sponsor a concessionary place, feel free to add a tip at checkout. This will be added to the concessions pot and go towards funding someone on low income with a place. 

The workshop requires a minimum of 6 participants to run, should the course not fill 6 places, the workshop will be postponed and scheduled with a minimum of 2 weeks notice prior to the course, with the option of a refund or transfer onto the subsequent course.