2011 17 and 18 are Crab Apple Tulip Salad Tongs.

Another staple carving that just never gets old. At the spoon gathering I saw my first clones. Someone had carved a set just like mine. I was pleased that someone liked them enough to emulate. Ok maybe that is a bit vain since they naturally want to be tulips, but I take the little bit of pleasure anyway.
The ones with the balls on the end are 17 just for the record; which this blog is.

2011 13 - Spatula in Mulberry - I love carving spatulas more then any other spoon variety. This one has a simple chipped carved pattern on the handle.

Here are 3 Buckthorn eating spoons I carved at the gathering in Milan, MN.

2011 14 - My new favorite and my personal eating spoon. Carved like a small spatula it handles food effortlessly. I highly suggest carving one in this style. I added a small chip carved detail to complete the look.

2011 15 - Another Buckthorn spoon with more brown then orange. A bit of random design gives it more pizazz then it probably deserves, but I like it.

2011 16 - Small spatula in Buckthorn The knot in the handle called out for a sun and I superimposed a moon along side.

Finally, some new pictures of my carvings. I am doing a art showing in July and working to get my inventory organized and labeled.

2011 10 - Boxelder paster fork. Too short, but turned out pretty cool anyhow.

2011 11 - Boxelder spatula. The knot was removed in the middle and makes a great sun burst.

2011 12 - Walnut coffee scoop. Carved with a turtle on the handle just because I like too.

some cool 'how to' pics from a block and a tree limb

Almost done posting pictures from the 5th annual spoon gathering. Here are the spoons Ben brought to share.

Vance and his wife from KS drove up to Milan for the first time. His style really caught me and I admired them greatly. Not to mention they were both great people. His wife spent the hours knitting and he carved. I hope they come again next year.

And more

More great spoons from several carvers at the gathering in Milan Mn.

Here are pictures of Rita's spoons. She carves all kinds of wood including some exotic varieties. She also gave a nice talk on spoon carving and her technique.

Another nice collection brought to share with others. I am a walnut fan and that spoon 5th from the right is a keeper.

A set of fine tea spoons. The notches next to the bowl are very original. I liked these a lot.

Here are some very cool spoons from a fella named Gordon. I am not sure I meet him, but cool none the less. I am definitely going to try and carve one of these.

Here are Tom's spoons. I really like is style of carving. I have tried to emulate a few spoons, but they just do not measure up. He follows a more pure form of Scandanavian design and is another great knowledge base of green wood carving.

Here are pictures of what Harley Refsal brought to the gathering. He is pretty well known in the carving world and a great person. The wooden cup in the bottom right was very nice. I hope I can carve something like that some day.

Here are spoons and bowls from Jarrod. He is a great guy and one of the friendly people I have meet in my short 40 years. I would like to call him a friend, but that may be a bit brave since we have only met twice. Jarrod turns bowls on a Spring Pole Lathe that he built himself. Turning bowls and carving spoons may be enought for some, but he also builds birch canoes. His wife April makes beautiful baskets. Someday I hope to own one for myself.

Jarrod and April help to organize the Traditional Ways Gathering happening in WI in August. I hope to teach there this year. I plan to focus on wooden spatulas as I think there are under represented. I took the time off from work, but now need to fill out the paper work - something I am not too good at....

I left this year with a bowl and a spoon from Jarrod. I will post a picture later.

Here is a link http://www.traditionalways.org/

Here is a link to Jarrod and Aprils site. http://www.woodspiritgallery.com/

Here are spoons from Yuri. I managed to get him to trade me the 4th spoon on the right (counting from the large center spoon) for some tools and misc carving gear. I also scored a few Buckthorn eating spoon blanks. Yuri's spoons are beautiful and some of my favorites.

Ok. Time to post some pictures. I was fortunate to attend the 5th Spoon Gathering in Milan Mn the first weekend of June. I think attendance was around 70. More carvers then last year which was great. It was also great to see some younger carvers and first timers in general. The event continues to grow each year.

Here is my set up. I photo'd all the spoons on display. I did not get to meet every carver, but there was some great variety and talent as always.