Woodspirit School is dedicated to high quality craft instruction on the shores of Lake Superior, in Ashland, Wisconsin. We offer classes in Textile Arts, Wood Carving, Wood Turning, Basketry, Furniture Building, Green Woodworking and more.
Upcoming Classes & Events
——September 5-7——Wooden Spoon Carving 2 or 3 days with Jarrod Dahl
from $225.00
Related Courses/Events: Woodworking Courses
Dates: Sat-Sun, September 5-6, 2026, 9am-5pm plus Monday, September 7, 2026
Optional: Friday, September 4, 6pm Our Wooden Spoon Collection Craft Night Series presentation with Jarrod Dahl The Wooden Spoon Drawer Exhibition & Talk.
Description: Spend 2 or 3 days making wooden spoons. Beginner, intermediate and advanced carvers will all learn something in this class. Students will start with freshly harvested wood and simple, effective tools; the axe and Swedish carving knife. They will review the process of turning a whole log into rough blanks with wedges and the carving axe, systematically learn basic and advanced knife grips, and hone their focus and self-awareness by carving chopsticks. Next, students will learn how to use the hook knife and build an eye for spoon design through observation and carving small stirring spoons. More nuanced and advanced techniques will be discussed with students ready to go further.
By day two students will be carving the deceptively simple eating spoon with their newly gained knowledge and skills. Proper knife techniques as well as fine workmanship will be stressed. Throughout the class there will be short lectures, demonstrations and guided practice sessions. Jarrod will discuss where to acquire tools, how to care for and sharpen your tools, refining your carving technique, understanding wood grain, and finishes for woodenware. Carvers with prior experience will be encouraged to further develop their carving technique and design skills through critique and lessons tailored to their level of experience.
Day 3 will allow students to continue deepening their skills and make more spoons. Serving and cooking spoons will be addressed. The class will engage in observation and respectful critique of a selection of spoons from Jarrod’s wooden spoon collection. Students will receive more individualized attention regarding knife and axe technique as time and skill levels allow.
Prerequisites: All skill levels are welcome, however this course requires hand strength, stamina, hand eye coordination and the ability to follow precise instructions regarding safety. Being able to open a sealed jar is an example of basic hand strength. Ages 18 and up.
All tools and materials will be provided.
Feel free to bring your own sharp carving knife if you have one. We recommend this craft knife Morakniv 106
Workshop fee: $225 2 Days or $300 3 Days
JARROD DAHL is a full-time craftsperson, teacher, and writer who has worked with wood professionally since 1996. He runs Woodspirit Handcraft with his wife Jazmin, where Jarrod designs, makes, and sells woodenware. He specializes in turning green wood into handled cups, bowls, plates, and boxes and carving a wide variety of knife finished cooking and eating utensils. Jarrod teaches handcraft nationally and internationally as well as trains apprentices. He has studied and researched woodenware in museum archives in the US, Sweden, UK, and Japan. His designs have been influenced by these traditional everyday objects. Jarrod has extensive knowledge of harvesting and processing natural materials, forging and using hand tools, and making a wide variety of craft from basketry to canoes. He takes a philosophical, historical and pragmatic approach to making, teaching, and advocating for handcraft. Jarrod writes a blog, and has written for Popular Woodworking and Mortise & Tenon Magazines. He made two DVDs, The Art of Spoon Carving (with Popular Woodworking) and One Tree about green woodworking recorded in Japan. He also has a forthcoming book with Lost Art Press on Spring Pole Lathe Turning. He lives in Northern Wisconsin. www.woodspirithandcraft.com instagram: @jarrod__dahl @woodspirithandcraft
9 available
10 available
——August 14-16——Kuksa: Nordic Wooden Cup Carving with Alex Yerks
$325.00
Related Courses/Events: Woodworking Courses
Dates: Fri-Sun, August 14-16, 2026, 9am-5pm
Registration closes August 1 so the instructor can prepare materials.
Optional: Thursday, August 13, 6pm Scandinavian Wood Carving Traditions & Travels Craft Night Series slideshow presentation with Alex Yerks about his recent travels to Scandinavia.
Description: A kuksa is a carved wooden cup from the Nordic region of Europe. They can be used to drink your daily morning coffee or any other beverage. Alex has been making and developing his own designs of kuksa for many years, as well as promoting their daily use. Alex enjoys working in the old tradition, filling the room with the clatter of axe work and the sound of super sharp gouges scooping out smooth thick curls of wood with unplugged tools.
This is a great class for beginners to learn carving with hand tools. The process of making a kuksa is similar to hand carved spoons and hand carved bowls. Alex will help you to become more confident carving with an axe, using techniques to slice smooth curved lines and develop an eye for forms, as well as power chop through thick end grain. More advanced carvers will find a whole new toolbox of techniques and carving concepts. Over the three day course you will learn multiple methods of hollowing with different gouges, hooks, and adzes. Once the rough work is done, you will be using a variety of knife grips, performed with safe body mechanics to bring your cup design into shape. You will learn about wood grain and orientation, spend time sharpening and discussing tool maintenance, and discuss drying and finishing techniques. If all goes as planned you will carve with a great group of people, make a mountain of wood chips, and toast “Skål” (“cheers”) from your wooden cup at the end. Kuksas can be a challenge to carve, but Alex’s unique approach and technique will help demystify the process.
Prerequisites: All skill levels are welcome, however, please note that this course requires hand strength, stamina, hand eye coordination and the ability to follow precise instructions with regards to safety. Being able to open a sealed jar is an example of basic hand strength. Ages 18 and up.
All tools and materials will be provided, but it’s encouraged that you have a basic carving kit. Recommended, but optional (see last photo):
Axe
Craft knife (Morakniv 106 or 120 recommended)
Hook knife
Gouge
Mallet
Saw
Adze
Compass
Workshop fee: $325
Materials Fee: $40 To be paid in class directly to the instructor.
ALEX YERKS is a fulltime craftsperson - slöjdare, teacher, photographer and writer who has been a daily woodcarver since 2009. Alex works in his studio in Stillwater, Minnesota designing, selling, and making woodenware for kitchens around the world. His specialty is kuksas—kåsa or noggin—nomadic style wooden drinking vessels hewn by axe and hollowed with a big iron scoop. Alex teaches year round nationally and internationally. He has taught classes in Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Wales, and Sweden. Alex has also been a co-director of the Milan Spoon Gathering, the world’s oldest spoon carving festival, for ten years. Part of Alex’s approach to woodworking is thinking outside the box, using tools in unfamiliar ways, with big inspiration from the music he plays, the hand made life of dirt farmers and hobos he grew up around in the mountains of Upstate New York. All of his materials are harvested from local forests, and most of his work is carved while the wood is still fresh (green). www.alexyerks.com@alex_yerks
4 available
——August 8-9——Wagatabon Wooden Tray Carving with Joey Traynor
$225.00
Related Courses/Events: Woodworking Courses
Dates: Sat-Sun, August 8-9, 2026, 9am-5pm
Registration closes July 24 so the instructor can prepare materials.
Optional: Friday, August 7, 6pm Urban Woodsman: Wood Carving in Detroit Craft Night Series presentation with Joey Traynor
Description: In this two-day course we will learn how to carve freshly harvested wood to make a traditional Japanese tray called wagatabon. Students will split a log and carve a simple tray with a flat chisel and round gouge.
“The wagatabon is a type of wooden tray that used to be made by roof shingle makers in Wagatani village, Ishikawa, the snowy area of Japan. It is said that the trays had been made there since early 17th century. The makers used to cleave green chestnut logs to produce shingles, and kept the good ones to carve trays in winter.”
—excerpt from Jarrod’s Blog Here
All tools and materials will be provided. There will be an hour lunch break each day.
Workshop fee: $225
Materials Fee: $40
JOEY TRAYNOR is an arborist and green woodworker in Metro Detroit, Michigan. He teaches greenwood carving at Michigan Folk School and Traditional Ways Gathering. He was a former apprentice with Jarrod Dahl and learned wagatabon tray carving from Shinichi Moriguchi. Joey enjoys spending his time in nature, foraging mushrooms, and making things. @greatlakeswoodcraft
3 available
News
Joey Traynor, craftsman, instructor and arborist, talks about the secret life of wood and trees in Detroit at the next Craft Night. Joey teaches Wagatabon Wooden Tray Carving August 8-9.
Urban Woodsman at Craft Night on August 7
View our 2026 Calendar
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Support our developing school
We began construction in 2021, the same year we ran our first season of classes. We are almost done! Help us with storage sheds, patio paving, classroom set-up, scholarships, and expanding our offerings. Thank you!
What People Are Saying About Woodspirit School
“As a retired educator, I am really critical about the quality of instruction when I attend workshops, and Jarrod was excellent! He introduced the various spoon carving topics, performed demonstrations, and spent time one on one when needed, which is very helpful. I came away from the class feeling like I can carve the next spoon!”
— Spoon Carving Student from Brillion, WI
“It was an all around great experience: awesome instructor, beautiful workspace, and generous hospitality.”
— Danish Cord Stool Student from Bayfield, WI
“I truly appreciated Mike sharing his skills and creative process. He didn’t just have me carve a bird—he taught me skills that I will continue to use and build on.”
— Bird Carving Student from Madison, WI
“Great history/background information and examples, wonderful, casual teaching style, time well managed, left me wanting more! The classroom space was beautiful, comfortable and inviting, and the light was amazing for handwork.”
— Indigo Dyeing & Shibori Class Student from Ashland, WI