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
9 available
— — November 13-15 — — Hand Sewing the Swedish Bocksten Tunic with LeeAra Anglin
Optional, but highly recommended!
$300.00
As of 7/21/26: COMING SOON!!
Related Courses/Events: Textile Courses
Dates:
Optional, but highly recommended!
Thursday, November 12, 6pm What They Wore Craft Night Series presentation with LeeAra Anglin, historical sewer, crafter, and homesteader who will talk about historical hand sewing and her other creative adventures.
Class times: Friday, November 13-Sunday, November 15, 2026 9:30am-4:30pm
Description: Slow down and go back in time while learning to hand sew a wool or linen Swedish Bocksten Tunic.
One of the best examples known to us of extant early medieval garments is from the body of the ‘Bocksten man’ who was found in a peat bog in 1936 in Varberg—an area in what we now consider southern Sweden. It is one of the most complete and significant surviving pieces of early medieval European civilian clothing, dating between 1250-1520. The wide range in centuries shows how prevalent this particular style has been throughout history and therefore how difficult it is to date. It was originally made of wool.
Similar styles have been found in medieval Greenland, Ireland, and in other countries across Europe spanning many centuries. There are even similarities in construction to an 18th century shift.
LeeAra will teach you fundamental hand sewing techniques, basic stitches, turned hems, inserted gores and pattern drafting for your specific body. No prior hand sewing experience needed!
Yardage will be determined with LeeAra based on your size and chosen length. She will contact you after registration to sort it out. You may need to complete your project on your own at home.
Please Bring:
Fabric
Bring unwashed wool fabric or machine washed and dried heavy weight linen fabric.
Yardage will be determined with LeeAra based on your size and chosen length of garment. She will contact you after registration to sort it out, including any consultation on the weight of your chosen fabric.
The Woolsome Shop is a good source for wool fabric.The Linen Lab as well. The thin twill, herringbone, or diamond weave would be historically accurate.
Machine wash and machine dry linen fabric prior to class. This assures that the bulk of any shrinking has already occurred and softens the linen for sewing.
Burnley and Trowbridge is a source for high quality Irish linen and Fabrics store is another decent source for linen fabric.
Sewing Kit
Pin cushion
Pins
Sewing needles
Fabric scissors or otherwise sharp scissors
Thread to match fabric choice if matching is desired. LeeAra suggests using natural 50/3 linen thread from Burnley and Trowbridge
Reading glasses/headlamp if you need them
Seat cushion optional
Course Fee: $300
Material Fee: None required. Students provide their own materials.
LeeAra Anglin has been hand sewing for the better part of the last 6 years. Her projects range from 18th century gowns, petticoats, and shifts to replicas of 11th century extants found in southern Greenland and much in between that catches her fancy. She was taught by a young lass named Anna Eklund, who has handsewn gowns and outfits for renowned reenactors and weddings at Colonial Williamsburg. LeeAra absolutely adores the work of the hand in the construction of garments and is excited to share this love with you. She lives in a handmade house on a homestead in Mason with children, farm animals, and gardens. @heritage.hill.homestead
4 available
——December 5—— Birch Bark Star Ornament, morning or afternoon, with Jazmin Hicks-Dahl
$40.00
Related Courses: Basketry & Textile Courses
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026 Choose: Morning: 10am-12:30pm or Afternoon: 1:30-3:30pm
Description: Jazmin will guide you through making her design of a woven birch bark star ornament with wool pompoms and tassels, just in time to dress your Christmas tree or winter window. All materials will be provided.
Bring:
Small pointed tip scissors
Needle nose pliers (optional)
Workshop Fee: $40 Choose Morning or Afternoon Session
JAZMIN HICKS-DAHL studied birch bark weaving with Jarrod Dahl and Vladimir Yarish. She designed this star ornament several years ago and is excited to share how to make them in this class. She makes indigo dyed textiles both stitched and handwoven for Woodspirit Handcraft, a traditional craft business she runs with her woodworker husband. She spent 8 yrs teaching children in the SF Bay Area where she grew up before moving to the Northern Lands. Her background includes art & design, a love of natural materials, fine threads, folk textiles, and an obsession with indigo since her teens.
9 available
8 available
News
Emily Derke, basket weaver, instructor, hide tanner and homesteader will talk about her passion for baskets at the next Craft Night. Emily teaches Willow Baskets August 29-30.
Lively Baskets at Craft Night on August 28
View our 2026 Calendar
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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