I started a two day spoon carving class with Jarrod Dahl at Vevang in Minneapolis. It was a great opportunity to learn from an amazing teacher. It was very inspiring to watch Jarrod carve.
I enjoyed sitting in a circle carving and talking with people and learning from them too. I think that very act of community generated from carving is something that I really value too.
Tomorrow we’re actually going to carve spoons and I think one thing that I’m learning from Jarrod’s class is that craft takes time. Today during the class he kept reminding us to slow down and I learned how a light slow carving motion can sometimes be more effective.
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So I left the carving class on the second day feeling kind of sad but I don’t think it was a negative feeling. It was the sadness of awareness of how spoon carving is teaching me two things: humility and mindfulness. I really felt that sense of humility during the class because I was so slow with my carving. I understand that I’m new at it, but I didn’t walk out of there with a beautiful spoon. Instead I made a half-finished butter spreader, half-finished spoon and one chopstick because somehow I lost the other one. Despite the great instruction, I simply need a lot more practice carving. More importantly, I left with deeper realization that I created a website all about spoon carving yet I can’t really carve a spoon. I have so much to learn!
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I have also been thinking more about the role that carving plays in my life. I love the idea of carving in a circle of like-minded people with crazy conversations happening while steel slivers wood, but I also enjoy the solitude when carving alone. Carving gives my weary worn brain time to rebuild and recover.