Getting Started

Cut the stock to length using the parts list and diagrams as guides. I use a miter saw. Several pieces have angles cut on the ends; use the drawings to make sure you angle the ends properly. Drill the holes marked on the drawings. Then, apply a waterproofing finish to the pieces. This allows you to leave the main structure of the frame outside; I suggest you bring the press screw and any other metal hardware inside.

To screw in hanger bolts, tighten two nuts against each other. Use a wrench on the top nut to turn the hanger bolt into the table.

Assembling the Frame

Use the assembly drawings as guides to assemble the stand. Drive the table bolts (P) about 3 1/2″ (89mm) into the edge of the press screw mount (H) and clamping tables (I, J) (see Tip). To make it easy to drive the screws at an angle through the table brace (C) into the back table (G), drill pilot holes slightly smaller than the diameter of the screws. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to mount the press screw.

Using the Frame

Secure the frame to the ground using heavy-duty shepherd-crook-shaped tent stakes. To use the press screw, insert the table screw through the hole of your choice in the upright and lock it in place with the wing nut.  Use the size of the carving to determine where to position the clamping table, and lock it in place with the wing nut. Then, secure the carving with the press screw. Use the other clamping table with a hanger bolt or carving screw to secure an in-the-round carving. Use the back table to secure in-the-round carvings or relief carvings using the press screw mounted on the other side of the upright or with ordinary clamps.

MATERIALS

• Construction 2x4s: 2 each, 8′ (2.44m) long

• Construction 2x6s: 2 each, 8′ (2.44m) long

• Construction 2×10: 8′ (2.44m) long

• Shoulder vise screw: 9″ (22.9cm) long (see Special Sources below)

• Hanger bolts, 3/8″ (10mm) dia.: 3 each, 6″ (15.2cm) long

• Wing nuts, 3/8″ (10mm) dia.: 3 each, with 3″ (76mm) wingspan

• Washers, 3/8″ (10mm) inside dia.: 3 each, 1 1/2″ (38mm) outer dia.

• Exterior deck screws: 1 1/2″ (38mm) long, 2 1/2″ (64mm) long, 3″ (76mm) long

• Shepherd-crook-shaped tent stakes: 2 each

TOOLS

• Saws: miter, circular

• Hand drill with bits: 5/16″ (8mm), 3/8″ (10mm), 7/8″ (22mm) dia.

• Level

SPECIAL SOURCES

An 11 1/2″ (29.2cm)-long veneer press clamp (part number D2893) is available for $16.50 from Grizzly Industrial, grizzly.com, and other online retailers.

Hanger bolts and wing nuts are available for $1.93 each (bolts) and $6.88 each (wing nuts) from MSC, MSCDirect.com.

Ralph Beam is a retired high school earth science teacher who lives in Mishawaka, Ind., with his wife Kay.
He immersed himself in carving after retiring and joined the Council Oaks Woodcarvers Club in South Bend, Ind.
His carving focus is wood spirits.

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Fail-Safe Spoon Carving Tips

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Carving a Bluebird

Hone your power-carving skills on this springtime songbird 

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Egg Mouse

Transform a basswood turning into a cute little critter

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Winged Chain Links

This twist on a carved classic will set your heart aflutter

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Caricature Biker Dude Magnets

Experiment with different personalities on this rough-and-tumble crew 

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Bearly Fits

Create a comical bear and tree from a single piece of wood 

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Little Duck

Whittle a feathered friend in just six steps 

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Woodburned Bunny

A watchful rabbit stars in this lifelike pyro portrait

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Fairy House

Build and paint a whimsical home that opens and shuts 

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Sun and Moon

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Woodland Gnome Ornament

Try your hand at texturing and detailing without having to carve the whole body

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Granny’s in the Garden

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Carved Easter Eggs

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Cartoon Elephants

Carve a circus of easy pachyderms in under 30 minutes

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Wood Spirit Birdhouse

This practical piece adds humor to any backyard or pollinator sanctuary 

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Learn to achieve maximum depth with a tableau full of shadows and textures 

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Unfortunately, spoons carved for a decorative purpose tend to be lumped together under the all-encompassing label of “lovespoons.” Their uses were often much broader. Some were used prior to actual courtship, merely to gauge mutual interest. These spoons were often modestly carved with minimal decoration. A more ornate spoon requiring significant skill and effort might be carved as a gift once a courtship was underway. A spoon of this nature would serve as something of a resumé, showing off the suitor’s skill, tenacity, and devotion. Falling between the frivolity of the tester type spoon and the seriousness of a courting spoon, the lovespoon was generally a passionately and finely carved offering, given where a positive response was likely but a betrothal wasn’t necessarily expected. They are often more eccentric in design and ornamentation than courting spoons.

Since the earliest days of romantic spoon carving, the suitor’s toolkit has consisted of three basic tools.

In the Breton region of France, young men of courting age would often proudly display and use a unique style of spoon known as a ‘festival spoon’ when attending village gatherings or celebrations. These ornately carved and inlaid spoons frequently folded for transport and would be opened ostentatiously to display the young man’s skill as a carver, or (if he had purchased it from a professional) his wealth and prospects. 

Courting spoons would show off a suitor’s abilities.

Actual wedding spoons were specifically designed for use at the matrimonial celebration and were not part of the courtship preamble. Most often, they feature either two bowls joined by a single handle, or two separate spoons united by a length of wooden chain. The newlyweds would use the spoon to eat a first meal together, symbolically uniting two as one. Occasionally, double-bowled joke spoons would be made that featured bowls at unusable or impossible angles to eat from. To the great delight of the wedding guests, the couple would struggle, usually unsuccessfully, to master the spoons and prove to all they were united.

Wedding spoons symbolically united a couple by sharing
their first meal together.

Husbands, fathers, and grandfathers may have also carved decorated spoons for female members of their family. Common working tools such as crème spoons, ladles, and even eating spoons were likely gifted in this way and can be difficult to differentiate from spoons with a more romantic purpose.

Generally, to tell historic romantic spoons from their utilitarian cousins, look for symbols such as hearts, inlays, initials, keys or keyholes, comma shapes, and elaborate patterning along the edges of the handle.  

Even though the tradition of giving carved wooden gifts as love tokens has largely become extinct, the romantic spoon has endured—mainly because it’s a recognizable object that we still use today. Spoons are also small, portable, and straightforward to work, requiring only an axe, a straight knife, and a bent knife or gouge to create.

Romantic carving may no longer be a ‘thing,’ but it’s as valid and relevant as ever, as making a gift for someone you love never goes out of fashion.

Want More Spoons?

Great Book of Spoon Carving Patterns

By Dave Western

Item 0151. Available for $19.99 + S&H (parcel post) from Fox Chapel Publishing, 800-457-9112,
FoxChapelPublishing.com, or your local retailer.

Dave Western is a professional lovespoon carver and the author of two books on carved lovespoons, both available from foxchapelpublishing.com. Dave carves on commission and also teaches classes. For more of his work, visit davidwesternlovespoons.com.

Evans Senior Center (Grove City, Ohio)

The Evans Senior Center reopened on July 6th. Wood carving is among the various creative arts activities offered and taught by a carving professional. Classes are Tuesdays from 9am-3pm. Register for the class at grovecityohio.gov or call 614-277-1060.

Northeastern Woodworkers Association (NWA) (Albany, N.Y.)

The NWA shop on Railroad Avenue reopened on April 1st for limited activities. The group sizes are limited to a maximum of 10 members. Masks and social distancing are required at each meeting. For more information on how to join the club and attend upcoming meetings, go to woodworker.org.

Pike’s Peak Whittlers (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

The Pike’s Peak Whittlers resumed their monthly meetings on the second Saturday beginning on Saturday, May 8th from 9am-12pm for members. The club also meets informally for members and nonmembers every Wednesday from 9am-1130am. For more information on the club and meetings, visit pikespeakwhittlers.com.

Sun City West Woodworking Club (Sun City West, Ariz.)

The Sun City West Woodworking (SCW) Club reopened their shop on July 4th with limited hours. The shop is open from Monday to Friday from 8am-4pm (two shifts of 4-hour sessions per day). Each session is limited to 30 members (not including instructors). No advance signup required for members. All members required to wipe down the equipment after each session. Masks not required but are recommended (masks available for members at shop). Visit scwwoodshop.com to find out more information about club memberships and meetings.

Tharp Carving Studio (Berkeley, Calif.)

The Tharp Carving Studio reopened with modified shop policies. Each carving station are six feet apart and tools are wiped down after each carving session. Masks are required. Carvers can make appointments for class sessions such as Introduction to Woodcarving and Intermediate Woodcarving and Sculpture. Appointments also available for morning and afternoon Saturday open studio sessions. For more information about the studio meetings, visit tharpcarvingstudio.com.

Tri-Cities Woodcarvers (Kennewick, Wash.)

The Tri-Cities Woodcarvers resumed their carving sessions every Thursday from 130pm-330pm at the Pasco Community Center. For more information on group meetings and membership, email dlbarg53@gmail.com or call 509-430-3778.

West Wisconsin Wood Carving Guild (Stevens Point, Wis.)

The West Wisconsin Wood Carving Guild has resumed club carving sessions with the reopening of the LE Phillips Senior Center and the Senior Center in Chippewa Falls. The group meets at the Phillips Senior Center on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month from 6pm-9pm. The Chippewa Falls Center meets every Thursday afternoon from 1pm-4pm. Those who are not vaccinated are required to wear a mask. The club also teaches mini classes during some group meetings. For more information on the club meetings, visit wwwcg.org.

The Woodcarving Club of Sun City Center (Sun City Center, Fla.)

The Woodcarving Club of Sun City Center reopened their shop doors in June 2020 for members with modified policies. Club members are required to wear masks while in the clubroom. All stations limited to one person per workstation and situated six feet apart from other carvers. All tools and stations are disinfected. Nonmembers will be allowed to attend for sessions in the near future. For more information on club meetings and memberships, visit sites.google.com/site/sccwoodcarvers.

In addition to clubs reopening, woodworking organizations have also resumed in-person woodworking events. To see a list of upcoming events and shows, go to https://woodcarving.zeeframes.com/calendar-of-events/.