This year marked the fifth anniversary of the Masters of Sloyd webinar series. Due to personal circumstances, I was only able to organize two this season, but they were definitely worth it!
Alex Finberg – From Log to Spoon
You can never stop learning about spoon carving. That’s why it’s great to see more and more books where makers share their own perspectives on this craft. The Englishman Alex Finberg has now added to the spoon library with his book Spooncarving: From Log to Spoon.
In this book, he shares his 25-step plan, practical insights on sharpening, decorating, and much more. He also talks about the process of writing a book: how do you turn all your knowledge and experience into a clear and useful manual? During the webinar, Alex talked extensively about how the book came together. It was all about his book, his approach, and the lessons he’s learned over the years.
Alex’s English-language book contains about 400 photos and 176 pages. You can find a detailed description on his website. The book is widely available in the Netherlands and Belgium through regular (online) bookstores.
Jero Lehr – Woodturner Village Girkhausen
Masters of Sloyd isn’t just about spoon carving, but also about other crafts. Jero Lehr spoke about the village of Girkhausen in Germany. At one time, some 90 workshops in that village had craftsmen turning large wooden bowls using a foot-powered lathe called a spring pole lathe. At its peak, Girkhausen was probably one of the largest woodturning centers in Germany—maybe even in Europe.
Jero from Girkhausen, known by the name Wood Culture Hand Carved, turns bowls, plates, trays, and boxes on the spring pole lathe. He has also deeply studied everything about the spring pole lathe, especially the village of Girkhausen. He kept the audience captivated all evening with a true deep dive into the topic. In his presentation, he left no detail of the lathe or the making process unexplored. It became an in-depth journey through the history, tools, and techniques of this unique woodworking tradition.
On to Season 6!
The Masters of Sloyd are still a wonderfully engaging way to spend the long winter evenings. I still get a lot of great feedback, tips, and ideas for new topics, so after the summer I’ll definitely start working on putting together a sixth season. Keep an eye on my social media or website for announcements! If you have ideas, wishes, or want to present something yourself, I’d love to hear from you!
About Masters of Sloyd
Masters of Sloyd is a live webinar series in which makers talk online about their craft. Masters of Sloyd was born from my personal interest in learning more about traditional crafts and the people who still practice them today. I find it very valuable to help share that knowledge in the modern world, because I believe these crafts can bring people, the products they use, and nature closer together. The speakers at Masters of Sloyd present without compensation, and participation is free for everyone.