New Spoon Racks

New spoon racks for 3, 4, or 5 spoons will be launched at the Made in Shropshire fair next Saturday in the square Shrewsbury. I'll also be demonstrating spoon carving throughout the day.

New Spoons

Some new spoons for sale. Top row from left: serving spoons in Alder, eating spoons in Sycamore, Beech bent branch spoon. Bowl is from the stump of a garden rose, scoop to right is apple, and the other scoops are all hawthorn spalted and aged.

A few recent spoons

Some new scoops and caddy spoons which will be available at the next Made in Shropshire craft fair on Saturday 13th July 2013. All made from very local woods using only simple hand tools. You are very welcome to come and see spoons being made at the fair every second Saturday of the month in The Market Square Shrewsbury. I will be at a family wedding on 10th August so will miss that one but all the rest up to Christmas are already booked.

A Stirring of Spoons.

I've just had to decide which single spoon to choose from this pile for the first International Secret Spoon Swap.

The names have been randomly drawn and I now know who to send it to. It is all ready packed to go as soon as the post office opens again after the bank holiday. It is a secret so we will have to wait until the person receiving the spoon shows it on facebook. No idea who is sending me one so will just have to wait. It could be anyone from a pro carver to a first timer so it may be expertly finished or bathed in blood! Either way a lot of effort and care will have gone into the making of it so a special spoon is guaranteed.
The title 'a stirring of spoons' is my contribution to the ongoing debate about what should be the collective noun for spoons.

Liquid Gold!

Maple Syrup Day!!!!

For the first time ever the conditions were just right for trying this. Firstly, the maple tree I planted 25 years ago in the garden is over 12" diameter, there was frost in the ground, daytime above freezing and before bud burst. So, a quick check on tinternet and out with the drill and a piece of pipe - blimey, it's working - quick get a jug!

Within an hour it was clear I would need to big up the collection device so brewing kit to the rescue.

After a few hours had collected about 4 litres of sap, so into the pan to reduce it to syrup.

And what it boils down to, literally, is about 4 cm in a jam jar!

Tastes delicious, and I won't ever complain about the price of maple syrup again!

A few new spoons. Some individual photos on the gallery page.

'Made in Shropshire' craft fair, The Square, Shrewsbury.

I will be showing and demonstrating spoon carving on the second Saturday of the month excluding May and August.

New banner for craft stall with Made in Shropshire 2nd Saturday of the month starting tomorrow!
Been busy making stock which is why I've not posted recently. Will put up pics of the stall next week.