Carve a spoon from fresh greenwood

David White is offering two different spoon carving courses in 2026. One in March or October is suitable for complete beginners and improvers to carve traditional Welsh Cawl spoons and butter spreaders, inspired by historic Welsh designs. These elegant pieces feature generous bowls and rounded, cranked handles for comfortable use. Learn to use carving knives and hook knives giving you a comprehensive skillset to shape functional objects.

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If you have a little greenwood working or spoon carving experience and are looking to expand your skills, join David in October for a progressive day exploring more advanced shapes of eating spoons, finished with burnishing then either ebonising or milk paint..

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Both courses will start using part-made green wood blanks. David will guide you on how to source green wood and to finish and oil your pieces. He provides a take away tutorial video and info sheet.

8 March or 3 October 2026

Welsh cawl spoon & butter spreaders

(suitable for beginners and intermediate carvers)

David has adapted his Cawl spoon designs from examples of well loved spoons that can be found in museums, collections and houses all over Wales. He particularly likes the generous bowl and simple rounded, cranked handle, with the eating angles just so. ​

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Those joining 3 October are welcome to join David for 4 October too

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4 October 2026

Progressive spoon carving course

(ideal for intermediate carvers)

David will also have a selection of tools from different UK blacksmiths for you to try

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or

choose a weekend of bowl & Scandinavian kuksa carving​​​

£145 - Tuition fees

This includes all course materials 

Tools will be available to buy during the course

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Tea, coffee and simple lunch included in your course price.
 

We also offer accommodation & evening meals

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Click here to see what we offer

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This course is aimed at adults, aged 18yrs + and is suitable for beginners to those with experience

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Please be sure to read terms & conditions before you book

David White’s The Whittlings is a tiny company in North Wales, making unique handmade tableware using traditional green woodworking techniques and native broadleaf species sourced from local woodlands.

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David's work is a reaction to his belief that life is getting more and more connected, online, and rushed, and that our use of the natural resources are more and more abstracted and commoditised. He sees that the things we use and surround ourselves with in our day-to-day lives are getting cheaper, mass produced, destined to last less and less time. His reaction to this is to spend time making the most basic things in life – something to eat with, something to eat from, something to sit on. To make them well, with an understanding and respect for trees they came from.