The Festival des Copeaux | Spönlifest will take place on 17 and 18 May 2025 in the Verger de Pierre-à-Bot in Neuchâtel.
Join us for a weekend of carving together, spending time together and learning new crafts! We are greenwood carvers building an event for other craftspeople, experienced or beginners.
About the name
Copeaux in French, Spönli in Swiss German, means “wood shaving”. Wood shavings are actually the largest production (at least in volume) of greenwood carvers. Byproducts like spoon, bowl, kuksa, plates, baskets may arise in the middle of the wood shavings…
Only a few Spaces left! Register now!
Prices
We have set the prices listed below to cover our costs for the infrastructure, location and food. We are not making any profit.
Ticket per day: CHF 8.-
Camping per Night: CHF 10.-
Lunch: CHF10.-
Dinner: CHF 5.- (Just salad, bread. Bring your own grill food)
Workshops: as listed below in the workshop description
Helpers
This Festival is run by volunteers for you, the community, so we are counting on everyone’s help to make it a success! We will have a board at the entry where you can enter your name at different tasks like cooking help, cleaning dishes, cleaning on sunday, etc.
To participate in the festival, please register using the form below. This allows us to better organize the event and anticipate logistical needs.
Practical Infos
The Site of Pierre-à-Bot
The Festival will be held in an orchard, above the city of Neuchâtel, at the border of the forest . We have all the facilities we need there and lots of space to carve and have a good time.
Program schedule
- Arrival on Friday (May 16) evening from 7pm
- Arrival on Saturday (May 17) morning : from 9 till 9:30 am
- Start of the event Saturday (May 17) : 9:30am
- Start of the event Sunday (May 18) : 9am
Travel by Public Transport
If you are travelling by public Transport you can take the Train to Neuchâtel main station and take the bus number 109 direction of “trois chênes” to the last stop (“trois chêne”) and walk the last few meters following our signs.
Parking
There is some free parking close to the site, and more parking very close to the site, but is only free after Saturday evening (9pm). Parking on site is forbidden (you might get a fine).
Adress :
Route de Pierre-à-Bot 94
2000, Neuchâtel
Suisse
Festival
Accommodation
Camping in a tent is possible in the designated areas within the site. If you want to sleep in your car or van, that is possible on a parking space close by. Toilets and showers will be available on site.
Food
The food is organized by our volunteer chef cook with our / your help. It will be vegan and very nourishing! In the evening we will have a grill to barbeque your own food and salads and bread from the kitchen.
Courses
| Saturday Morning | Saturday Afternoon | Sunday Morning |
| Carve a pocket spoon | Broom making | |
| Spooncarving for Beginners | Introduction Pole-Lathe turning | |
| Coiling – Making a grass Basket | Cold Metal Forming | 3 Steps to Lino Print |
Carve a pocket spoon
Deborah Schneebeli Morrell
All day – Saturday
Max 8 People
CHF 150.-
Deborah teaches in English. Some participants will be able to translate in German and French.
Carve a pocket spoon; learn to draw without a template, and measure with your eyes.
Students should have tools.
Students should be competent using sharp tools and should have carved a few spoons.
Deborah Schneebeli Morrell (@plotandponder)
Having originally trained in fine art Deborah became addicted to spoon carving ( she’s a spoon a day type!) after a long career as an artist/teacher and a writer of craft books.
She is known for investigating and carving a large variety of different wood species and has even realised that a lovely piece of wood can do more than anything to cheer you up! She has a lifelong interest in the value and meaning of making and its therapeutic and transformational aspects.
She has always been interested in tools and materials and is fascinated by the usefulness of making….. for practical, emotional as well as psychological reasons.
She is interested in the endless possibilities of carving a spoon; such a modest object but one that embraces style, form, function, tradition and aesthetics. Her practice and teaching stresses the importance of drawing (without a template) as a way of developing imagination and enhancing perception.
Based in the UK and Switzerland, Deborah teaches at Spoontown and Spoonfest festivals in the UK and at West Dean College of crafts. She is the founder of the Highgate Spoon Union and co-curated the Spoons Are Good For You exhibition launched at Spoonfest 2019
Broom making
Daniel Hepenstrick
Half day – Sunday morning
Max 12 People, Age: 14+
CHF 75.-
Daniel teaches in German. He will be able to translate in English and French.
Broom making with wild plants
The workshop will start with a short overview of the different techniques of broom making and the wild materials that can be used. Then you will make 1 or 2 brooms from the leaves of the hemp palm from Ticino.
Daniel Hepenstrick (besenbinden.ch)
My name is Daniel Hepenstrick. I am a professional botanist. I make brooms in my free time and I love it.
Spooncarving for Beginners
Linus Holtorf
All day – Saturday
Max 8 People, Age ~15+
CHF 120.-
Linus teaches in German. He will be able to translate in English and French.
Spoon carving for beginners
In this course, you will learn about the many different techniques used in spoon carving. We will mainly focus on working with knives, but we will also get to know the axe. I want to give you a little insight into the fun and joy of carving!
Linus Holtorf (@holz_im_rucksack)
I’m Linus, a budding carpenter, green wood carver, wood turner, tree, bird and nature fan. I’m really looking forward to producing wood shavings with you and holding a spoon in our hands at the end of the day!
Spooncarving for Beginners (Sunday)
Sold out. We can put you on the waiting list in case some participant can’t make it
Linus Holtorf
Half day – Sunday morning
Max 8 People, Age ~15+
CHF 60.-
Linus teaches in English. He will be able to translate in German and French.
Spoon carving for beginners
In this course, you will learn about the many different techniques used in spoon carving. We will mainly focus on working with knives, but we will also get to know the axe. I want to give you a little insight into the fun and joy of carving!
Linus Holtorf (@holz_im_rucksack)
I’m Linus, a budding carpenter, green wood carver, wood turner, tree, bird and nature fan. I’m really looking forward to producing wood shavings with you and holding a spoon in our hands at the end of the day!
Cold Metal Forming
Sold out. We can put you on the waiting list in case some participant can’t make it
Muriel Regenhart
Half day – Saturday afternoon
Max 5 People, Age: 16+
CHF 55.-
Muriel teaches in German. She will be able to translate in English.
Cold Metal Forming
We will learn how to form a thin copper sheet with hammers and anvil. Besides some interesting forms we will work towards a little Miniature-Spoon.
After this course you should be able to experiment further, knowing the technique and which tools are needed.
Muriel Regenhart (@regen.und.hart)
I‘m a Goldsmith and Process-designer who likes to experiment with all kinds of form and material. Driven by the Question „what could i also do with this?“ i’ve been crafting for ages.
3 Steps to Lino Print
Antonia Hoeg
Half day – Sunday morning
Max 7 People, Age: 14+
CHF 50.-
Antonia teaches in German. She will be able to translate in English and French.
3 Steps to Lino Print
Together we will go through the whole process of linoleum printing. First drawing the motif on the linoleum plate, then the linoleum carving and finally the printing. When printing, we can get creative with different paper, colors and, if you like, in combination with other media, such as watercolors.
It is best to bring a motif or a photo with you so that we can start right away.
The course is for anyone who has never tried lino printing or has tried it a lot 😊
Antonia Hoeg
I’m Toni, I love all kinds of creative things and started trying my hand at lino printing a few years ago. The mixture of linoleum carving, which I find very meditative, and the process of printing and the many different ways of expressing myself creatively never ceases to inspire me 😊
Introduction Pole-Lathe turning
Sold out. We can put you on the waiting list in case some participant can’t make it
Valentin Roth
Half day – Sunday morning
Max 6 People, Age: 18+
CHF 35.-
Valentin teaches in German. He will be able to translate in English.
Introduction Pole-Lathe turning
During this course, I will introduce you to the pole-lathe and show you how to use it. Together we will get to know the tools required and see how they are used. You will be able to gain your first experience of what woodturning feels like. Given the limited time, no specific project will be made, this is just an opportunity to get to know the process.
Valentin Roth (@gardenshedspoons)
My name is Valentin Roth. I am an enthusiastic carver, turner and woodworker. I started working with green wood a few years ago and have been fascinated by it ever since! Even as a child, carving was a regular pastime, starting with wooden swords and spears. I steadily increased my experience until I finally discovered spoon carving. Just over a year ago, I built my first lathe and started to try my hand at this new craft. Now I want to start sharing these experiences 🙂
Coiling – Making a grass Basket
Iris Oppermann
Half day – Saturday morning
Max 12 People, Age: 8+
CHF 90.- (including Materials)
Iris teaches in German. She will be able to translate in English.
Coiling – Making a grass Basket
In this course you will learn the technique of coiling. We will wrap baskets from grass and herbs for use as little baskets for bread, for fruit or for harvesting raspberries.
Iris Oppermann (@irisoppermann)
I am Iris Oppermann, master florist and have been working with natural materials for over 25 years. Making meaningful creations for the love of art… for the love of craft… for the love of nature.
FAQ
Are dogs allowed?
Chicken and gooses are roaming freely on the site. Dogs are allowed as long as they are not aggressive and have to be kept on a leash at all time. No barking at night. Within a 3 minutes walk lies a park where your dog can run freely (as long as they obey their master’s recall). From April 15 until June 30, your dog has to be on leash if he goes in the forest, to protect wildlife.
Can my kids come?
Yes. Kids are very welcome to join the festival. We even have a carving course with Andreas especially for the little ones!
Language at the festival?
Chaos mix (French, German, English)
Do I have to take workshops?
Not at all! You are welcome to come and spend time with other guests not attending workshops.
Will there be tools for sale?
probably not
Wifi & cell service?
No wifi, cell service is good. There is electricity to charge your phone.
Are there showers?
Yes! Please bring our own soaps and towels.
What should I bring?
- Your own tools (If you have them)
- Wood (if you like)
- Snacks for Tea breaks 🙂
- Food to Grill on Saturday evening
- Tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag
- Shower utensils
- Money for the makers market
Can I arrive earlier?
Only if agreed with the organizers, to help with the installation
Can I stay an extra night?
No
Instead of camping, can I stay in a Hotel / Bed & Breakfast / Airbnb?
Yes, there are many possibilities in Neuchâtel
Can I bring my own food?
yes , but you won’t be able to use the kitchen or the fridge.
Can I light my own fire?
No, but we will have a fire at night, where you can also grill food.
What are the facilities on site?
Toilets, showers, electricity to charge your phone, benches, tables, roofs.
What if after purchasing my ticket I cannot attend?
Workshop tickets are non-refundable unless we are able to re-sell them.
we can refund the amount paid for day, night and food tickets up to a maximum of 15 days before the festival starts.
Can I sell my wares at the craft market?
Yes
Are there any cash points on site?
No
Can I make on-site purchases with a credit/debit card?
No
How far is the nearest supermarket?
10 minutes walk
I am new to green woodworking, may I come anyway ?
Of course! some workshops are for advanced carvers, but most of the workshops are for beginners.
What’s included in the day ticket?
Be there, use the toilet, enjoy the company and the tea breaks
Health and safety
You agree to this when you buy a ticket and must abide by the health and safety guidelines outlined below and follow safety information and announcements when you are at the festival.
The axes, knives and other tools are dangerous and can cause serious cuts. If used correctly the chance of accidental cuts is minimised.
When you are carving on site you are responsible for your own safety. Under 18 year olds must be supervised by a responsible adult. The Parent must take responsibility for their childs safety and this may require 100% of their attention. The parent must protect their child by ensuring the child is following our health and safety guidelines.
- Use safe knife cuts and axe holds.
- Maintain a safe distance – be aware of others around you.
- Don’t walk around with tools unsheathed.
- Store tools safely when not in use.
- Always carve when fully alert and focussed on the job.
- Do not carve after any alcohol.
- Take breaks often – walk around and stretch.
Contact
E-mail : herminette.ch@gmail.com
About us
Benoit (@benoit_schoeni), Christophe and Linus (@holz_im_rucksack), greenwood carvers in Switzerland. Please let us know if you have any questions!