Thumb scoops

Deborah Schneebeli Morrell

All day – Friday – 15.05.2026

Max 8 People 

CHF 150.-

Deborah teaches in English. Some participants will be able to translate in German and French.

Thumb scoops

We will concentrate on form, crank, flow and finish. Student will need a small finishing knife as well as a sharp slojd knife and and axe.

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

Carving a fork

Oren Hetzroni

half day – Thursday morning – 14.05.2026

Max 8 People

CHF 75.-

Oren teaches in English. 

Carving a fork

We’ll explore how to carve a small wooden fork, with an emphasis on creating clean, functional tines and a natural, well-balanced handle design. Some basic carving experience will help you get the most out of this project. Along the way, we’ll focus on improving knife control, refining finishing cuts, and achieving both strength and elegance in the final piece.

Students should have tools.

Carving a spoon with a snail finial

Oren Hetzroni

Full day – Thursday afternoon – 14.05.2026

Max 8 People

CHF 75.-

Oren teaches in English. 

Carving a fork

This project focuses on carving a small wooden spoon featuring a sculpted snail at the end of the handle. You will learn how to shape a comfortable handle, carve a smooth and functional bowl, and develop the decorative snail detail. Some prior experience is helpful, particularly for refining fine details and achieving a clean, nice finish.

Students should have tools.

Oren Hetzroni (@hetzronio)

Carving has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, filling that urge to create something. I get my inspiration from my surroundings, putting chickens, snails, frogs on my work as little reminders of nature’s beauty. I live on a small farm in the center of Israel where I teach spoon carving classes and trying to spread this rewarding craft.

Living Edge Spoon

Karel Hekrle

All day – Thursday – 14.05.2026

Max 8 People

CHF 125.-

Karel teaches in English. He will be able to translate in French.

Living Edge Spoon

We are going to explore carving a shorter pocket spoon with the natural design on its handle. You may want to have some experience with carving to achieve the best results. We will focus on techniques improving control of the finishing cuts and design.

Students should have tools.

Small plate

Karel Hekrle

All day – Friday – 15.05.2026

Max 8 People

CHF 125.-

Karel teaches in English. He will be able to translate in French.

Small plate

Creating a plate that can go with you on a hike. Some axing, some non-classical carving with spooncarvers knives. Simple method and meditative experience to train hands in leading the knives down the grain, across and again..

Students should have tools.

Karel Hekrle (@treenfolk)

I have started carving spoons, bowls and handled cups 15 years ago and focus on techniques that fit to carve “on the path”. I love to let the natural shape of the piece of wood we work with speak through keeping its living edge or respecting a particular shape. Original patterns come to me slowly as a result of artistic or “wildstyle” approach while i am respecting the functionality, simplicity and teachings from the trees.

My First Bowl (Beginners & Improvers)

Nico De Wispelaere

All day – Thursday – 14.05.2026

Max 7 People

CHF 150.-

Nico teaches in english. 

My First Bowl (Beginners & Improvers)

In this prefest, you step into the world of the foot-powered pole lathe and discover the craft of bowl turning.

We begin with a piece of green wood. Through axe work, you learn to chop with control and efficiency, shaping your own bowl blank while gaining a deeper understanding of the material.

Next, the pole lathe takes center stage. You will learn to use traditional hook tools safely and effectively, finding a natural rhythm as body movement and tool control come together. Slowly, a bowl begins to emerge.

By the end of the workshop, you will have explored different pole lathe turning methods and gained hands-on experience turning a bowl. You will leave with your own handmade wooden bowl and the skills to continue practicing this traditional craft.

Improvers’ Bowl Turning

Nico De Wispelaere

All day – Friday – 15.05.2026

Max 7 People

CHF 150.-

Nico teaches in english. 

Improvers’ Bowl Turning

This hands-on workshop begins with preparing the bowl blank using an axe, with a strong focus on efficient and ergonomic techniques. Participants will learn to work safely and effectively, relying on body mechanics rather than brute force to shape the blank.

Once the blank is prepared, we move to the lathe to turn a belly bowl form, with special attention to food-safe and decorative beads. Participants will explore the characteristic proportions, flowing curves, and balanced profiles that define this classic shape.

This workshop is designed for turners who have already completed their first bowl and are ready to refine and further develop their skills. It provides an opportunity to deepen technical control, gain confidence in shaping, and develop a stronger understanding of form and proportion.

Nico De Wispelaere (@handgemaakt.geluk)

Nico is a multifaceted artisan, combining his skills as a woodworker, arborist, and creative artist. Based near Bruges, Belgium. He specializes in handcrafting wooden spoons and turned treen on the pole lathe. His journey is enriched by his background as a tattoo artist, formal training in fine arts, and hands-on experience as an arborist, which has deepened his connection to trees and their natural beauty.
Nico translates his keen eye for design and attention to detail into custom creations that are both functional and artistic.
Through “Handgemaakt Geluk” (Handmade Happiness), Nico invites others to explore the interconnectedness of nature, art, and craftsmanship. His work not only celebrates the beauty of natural materials but also embodies a philosophy of mindful creativity.

Spooncarving for Beginners

Linus Holtorf

All day – Thursday – 14.05.2026

Max 8 People, Age ~15+

CHF 100.- 

Material costs: CHF 10.-

Linus teaches in German. He will be able to translate in English and French.

Spoon Carving for Beginners
You’ll carve a spoon during this workshop! We’ll go over the various techniques, from rough shaping with an axe to fine cuts using straight and curved knives. We’ll also explore wood theory and the theory behind carving. My goal is to share my passion for the material and the craft, and lay the groundwork for your own future projects😊

Linus Holtorf (@holz_im_rucksack)

I’m Linus: green wood carver, pole lathe turner, carpenter, nature lover. I’m so excited that you’re coming to our little festival! I can’t wait to spend a day producing wood shavings with you and seeing what kind of spoons you’ve conjured up by the end!

Cold Metal Forming

Muriel Regenhart

Half day – Friday afternoon – 15.05.2026

Max 5 People, Age: 16+

CHF 65.-

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. we
can work towards a little Miniature-Spoon or also design something
individual. It is also possible to buy some 925 silver to work with.
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.