Green Wood Gathering: A Sloyd-Inspired Carving Workshop
Fee: $15/$10 members. You may purchase a Mora sloyd knife to take home for $35.
Registration: The workshop is full. To be added to the waitlist, call 414-446-8794 or email staff@lyndensculpturegarden.org.
Sloyd, or slöjd, is a Scandinavian-based handcraft movement and educational system. It falls under the umbrella of green woodworking--woodwork that starts with "green" (still wet) wood. Sloyd items are meant to be functional, designed for everyday use around the home: spoons, bowls, cups, buttons, coat hooks, furniture. Practicing Sloyd encourages self-sufficiency and an intimate knowledge of the local natural resources.
Our green woodworking experience starts at 11 am with a carving-specific tree walk. You'll discover which trees are perfect for greenwood carving and gain insight into the unique forest management practices implemented at Lynden.
We’ll take a lunch break and at 12:30 pm we’ll gather around a campfire for an afternoon of hands-on carving. Sip tea made from foraged plants as you try your hand at carving a jam spreader, wooden bead, or spatula. The workshop will move indoors if the weather is inclement.
This workshop, suitable for ages 16 and up, covers carving fundamentals, including safe axe and knife techniques, responsible material gathering, finishing, and tool maintenance. Whether you're a beginner or experienced carver, all are welcome. Bring your own carving tools, or we'll provide sloyd knives for beginners. You can also purchase a Mora sloyd knife as part of the workshop package.