I've been toying around with micro engraving lately. Here's an example of what I can be done with this high-speed hand engraver. It's not like a table top CNC machine, but is controlled completely in my hand like a pencil. I can carve just about anything! From deep cuts, around corners, to along the edge of handles there's no limit to what or where I can engrave. Many auto-cad systems can only engrave on flat surfaces. This tool puts the control in my hand and really shows the ability of the artist in very piece. There's no limit to what this hand engraver can do. The possibilities are endless. Some traditional spoon carvers argue that I'm cheating by using such a tool, but if Michelangelo had access to such a tool during his time I think he would use it as well. In my opinion, tools are meant to help you complete your work of art in a better and more efficiently way. Once a tool becomes a hinderance to your work then you should get another tool.
If you would like more information on this tool, please visit: http://profitablehobbies.com Follow me on Twitter Like my fan page Facebook Connect with me on Google+ Author Jason Weymouth
Product: Hand Carved Wooden Spoons - Price Range: $10 - $950 What town are your spoons made in? My studio is located in Brunswick, Maine. I have a home-based wood shop-It’s a shed-really, I built 4 years ago, and have converted it to my spoon carving studio. My studio serves as a place to center my creativity and function as a daily retreat. When did you get started making spoons? I started about 3 years ago, although I didn’t start selling my hand carved spoons online until recently. I watch a few video on spoon making and that got me interested in making spoons. What got you interested in making spoons? I have always been interested in working with my hands. I guess this kind of woodworking gives me the most fulfillment and most challenge. I started making spoons out of my interest for bush crafting and thought it would be cool to make a spoon while camping. So, I did and haven't stopped sense. Where do you get the wood for your spoon making? I use mostly local wood. I prefer to use locally harvested wood and scrap wood. I’ve used all kinds of wood from scrap wood to the exotic wood for special orders. It’s important to me that I use wood that has come from a sustainable forest and I look for mills and retailers that practice sustainability. I use woods that are known to be allergen free and safe to be used with food. What types of wood do you like using when making your spoons? I love carving any type of fruit tree wood. Fruit trees make the best spoon carving wood. I also love carving Eastern Maple, Poplar, Cherry, Apple, and Birch woods. I prefer Cherry and Apple over other types of carving wood because the color, texture, and how the grain preforms when sanding. How do you make your spoons? The stages of my spoon making process start with: 1) Selecting the wood, 2) Sketching the spoon designs that I’ll be working on, 3) Marking the wood with the spoon sketching, 4) Rough cutting the timber to blanks, 5) Carving the spoon design and shape, 6) Further refining the shape of the spoon, 7) Gouging out the bowl of the spoon, 8) Rough sanding the spoon, 9) Fine hand sanding the spoon, 10) Applying a blend of walnut oil and beeswax to the spoon, and 11) Taking photos and writing the spoon’s story for upload to my Etsy Shop and website. As you can see lots of time and effort go into creating a spoon. I don’t have expensive machinery; every spoon is made individually. What stage of making a spoon takes the most time? Without a doubt the final stage of hand sanding the spoon takes the most time. What do you enjoy the most about carving spoons? I enjoy the creative process of making something useful with my hands. I love when my mind and hand are united in this process of creating, and something wonderful is the result. I like to call all of my kitchen utensils functional works of art because I want people to use my spoons and spatulas and showcase them on a shelf or hang them on a wall. I’m an artisan and enjoy making beautiful spoons that will be cherished for a lifetime. What advice would you give someone looking to start carving spoons? Be patient, carving doesn’t happen overnight and carving spoons definitely takes a lot of practice...trial and error, and patience. Then, I would say always keep your knives sharp, wear safety goggles, and ear protection, and have a first aid kit close by just in case. Then, find people in your area who also like carving and learn from them. Watch...learn...listen...and most of all have fun. This would be my best advice. Follow me on Twitter Like my fan page Facebook Connect with me on Google+  When buying a handmade wooden spoon from me, you're buying more then just a spoon. You are buying hundreds of hours of failure and experimentation. You are buying days, weeks, and months of frustration and moments of incredible happiness. You aren't just buying a "thing", you're buying a piece of heart, a part of my soul, and a moment of my life. You're buying broken knuckles, split fingers, and muscle aches. You're buying Handmade - MADE IN USA! You're not buying a machine made spoon form China. Most importantly, you're buying me more time to do something I'm passionate about and I thank you for this.
I don't mass produce my wooden spoons and I take great care in making each and everyone. I learn about wood and wood carving everyday. I have a lot invested in wood, tools, shop electricity, and shop heat. I don't have a country subsidizing my materials or shop…it's just me and my passion to create unique wooden utensils. Follow me on Twitter Like my fan page Facebook Connect with me on Google+ Caring for Wooden Spoons
by Jason Weymouth Once again, I am faced with the chore of caring for my kitchen woodenware. It has been several months and my wooden spoons are showing some signs of “fuzziness” and cooking oil discoloration. If you find yourself in this predicament then learn from me on how I care for my little fuzzy friends. This is a short article on how I bring back the durable lasting shine to my wooden spoons. We all know that cooking with a wood spoon or spatula is a good thing because of the woods natural antibacterial properties. So, why then is it important to care for your kitchen woodenware? Well, the answer is clear...to keep those antibacterial properties working and keeping that nice wood spoon looking fresh while you cook. There’s nothing more unattractive then cooking with a blackened-greenish spoon floating or mixing in your nice sauces and soups. Unfortunately, wooden utensils quickly lose their attractive finish and are prone to small cracks, and large ones, if washed in a dishwasher. The dishwasher is known as the dreaded "spoon killer" and the final execution for most wooden spoons. Here’s a few quick steps you can take to help return that beloved wood spoon back to it’s original shine and clean bright look.
Like my fan page Facebook Connect with me on Google+  Wooden Measuring Spoons
Here is a new addition to my small selection of wooden measuring spoons. Unfortunately, it wasn't my idea. I had a customer requested to make a combo teaspoon and tablespoon for cooking and this is what I came up with for a design. Getting the right measurements was a little tricky, but I finally honed in on the right size and shape. Here you'll see four types of wood, Walnut, Cherry, Birch, and Maple. I've selected these types of woods because they are readily available and give a wide variety of color and grain texture. Follow me on Twitter Like my fan page Facebook Connect with me on Google+ |
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