Goodson Woodcraft 

Spring Update

by Eric Goodson on March 31

Hi everyone,

The snows have melted and the daffodils are emerging here in Newbury, MA after an especially icy winter.  I wanted to send around a quick update on upcoming events that might interest you. 

Gatherings

There is simply no better, cheaper, or more fun way to continue your craft practice than to join others in creative camaraderie.  Here are a few upcoming events, both near and far, that might interest you.  For more information about these and other events, feel free to email me.

• “Sloyd Social”, Sunday April 12th, 2-5pm, at my shop in Newbury, MA/

• Come join other burgeoning craftspeople for a little potluck, carving, turning, weaving, whathaveyou gathering.  It is a cozy affair, usually just a handful of folks, and a great chance to meet other creatives in this area.

• “Spoon Camp NJ”, May 1-3 in West Milford, NJ.  

• Held at camp Vacamas in the woods of western NJ, this is a really delightful event (pictured above).  Free, with donations to the camp encouraged.  You can stay in the cabins, which have bunk beds, hot showers, and a communal kitchen where we cook family-style dinners, or you can camp out if that is your thing.  Folks come from as far away as North Carolina, Delaware, and Maine for this event.  I will be heading down on Wednesday to help set up, and you can come early, too.  Come hang with a bunch of spoon nerds.

• “The Spoon Gathering” in Milan, MN, June 5-7, with pre-classes starting on Tuesday the 2nd.  

• The oldest gathering of its kind in the US, if not the world.  Over 200 people descend on this tiny Minnesota town once a year to camp out, carve spoons, and connect with other folks passionate about greenwood carving.  This is such a spectacular event.  I went for the first time last year, and will be returning to teach an “Intermediate Spoon Carving” class during the pre-festival.  I know it is a hike, but well worth the trip.

Courses

This year is shaping up to be a big teaching year, surpassing the sixty class days I held last year and ranging from Maine to Minnesota.  Here are a few highlights:

• Introduction to Spoon Carving at the Newburyport Art Association, April 11th.

• A one-day intro to spoon carving in a beautiful gallery space.  Come visit scenic Newburyport for the day–carve some spoons, walk the beaches at Plum Island, and maybe end the day with a nice dinner in one of the many restaurants in the area.  

• Woodturning Two Ways at Snowfarm in Williamsburg, MA, May 10-15

• Spend a full week exploring a wide range of woodturning projects in western MA.  Snowfarm is a wonderful craft school, with a vibe that feels like summer camp and food to die for.

• Week of Slojd at the Nantucket Historical Association in MA, July 20-24

• What could be better than enjoying the island life on Nantucket and taking a week of sloyd classes at the Historical Association?  We will cover spoon carving, chip carving, kolrosing, and even heddle making.  I will also be teaching kids classes and an adult turning class if you are on the island.

• Bowl Turning and Tool Forging for the Pole Lathe at Historic Eastfield in East Nassau, NY, Aug 31-Sept 4th.

• Spend a week forging your own hook tools and then turning bowls with your hooks in this unique hybrid course.  Co-taught with blacksmith Beth Holmberg, you know you will get first-class instruction all around. Oh, and lodging is free in the renovated 19th-century tavern, but you have to bring your own candles!

For a complete list of classes, see my webpage.

Latest Work

I am shifting my craft focus a bit, producing fewer product runs and instead spending my time on gallery items. I am especially focusing on skruvask, or locking-lidded boxes, and how to expand the form and design of these unique vessels.  

I just published an article in the latest edition Spoonesaurus Magazine on spoon gatherings.  It is a small quarterly magazine put out by fellow-carver Emmet Van Driesche.  I am also working on an article for American Woodturner, which should be submitted soon.  Finally, I continue to write on craft and craft pedagogy on my blog. 

That is all for now.  

As always, thanks for your support, and feel free to reach out with any questions.

-Eric

 

Goodson Woodcraft