Our house is pretty spoon obsessed at the moment but also a very creative place. Barnaby Carder “Barn the Spoon” is staying with us and we have been having great fun discussing the most minor refined details of spoon design and cutting technique. It is a joy to share this stuff with someone as deeply interested (obsessed?) as me. We both take far more interest in the design of a cooking spoon than any customer will ever be aware of but it is that degree of care and interest that separates what we do from simple manual labour.
Barn has a peddlars licence and has been traveling the country hitching, walking and staying with all sorts of folk and carving spoons in exchange for board and lodgings. He also sits on his pack in town centres and carves and sells spoons to passers by. I really like the idea, it is not so far from the way craftspeople used to sell their wares many years ago, carving and then taking their wares to market. This is a nice article about Barn from the Observer a couple of weeks ago.
And this is what our front room looks like today.
And here are some of Barns spoons, good honest cooking and eating spoons, carved quickly but skilfully and left with the crisp clean toolmarks.
Barn will soon be heading for more permanent accommodation for the winter but he is planning another tour of the country next year. If anyone else out there fancies having an itinerant spooncarver visit and carve a spoon in exchange for a meal and bed for the night get in contact through his new blog here
My feet would not get cold if I could work in the TV room haha.
I recently bought a sloyd knife and a couple of spoon knives. I often stop for a while when making a chair or table and carve a spoon or spatula. I love it and it helps to give some time to think over things. My local chinese takeaway uses a huge spoon. That I carved for them, stirring their curry sauce with it . Looks like you guys really enjoy your spoon making :)Brian(:
Great to hear news about Barn. I missed his bit in the Big Issue as our local vendor is on holiday! After meeting him at the Bodger's Ball I'd hoped he would drop by here and make and discuss spoon making and design with another slight obsessive.
Had a look at Barn's site and he's got some really great looking spoons. I'd love to get one of his pieces of work once I'm back in the UK.
I am getting pretty nuts about spoon carving and anxiously awaiting the arrival of a properly formed hook knife. I can hardly wait! I got into the craft because I wanted spoons and forks to offer alongside my salad bowls and such. Your website, online videos and blog are a great source of inspiration. thanks you from Canada!Steve
Thanks for all the nice comments, we are having a great time with a developers spoon course at the moment and Barn has been working on a version of the Romanian cooking spoons I bought from Ion Constantin in 1998. they are a great design, fast to make but great to use.