Carving patterns and symbols in wood is a thousand-year-old folk tradition that is still kept alive in the Scandinavian craft. With the help of chip carving, or “Skureut” as the technique is also called, crafted utensils have throughout history been animated with meaning-bearing symbols and beautiful patterns. Even today, the chip-carving technique is a natural extension of a crafted spoon, cutting board or shrink pot – and above all a source of everyday joy, and a way to develop creativity and to create patterns.

In addition to a deep practical knowledge, the class opens the door to older handicrafts and folk art and provides a detailed lecture of the symbols' traditional meanings – with intensions for you to develop your own design world.

In this two-day class, you’ll learn:

• How to choose wood for chip carving
• How to use grips and techniques for making chips
• How to make chips, nail cuts, lines and letters
• How to do piercing and kolrosing
• How to think around stylistic elements
• How to process patterns on handmade objects
• How to paint with oil colors on wood
• How to sharpen and hone a good chip carving edge
• How to be inspired by traditional folk art (a lecture)

Tool List
A smaller sharp carving knife
Chip carving knife
Awl

Cost
The class fee is $500 (due at registration), plus a small materials fee TBD (no more than $50, and hopefully less) due at the start of class. (Cancellations will be accepted up until four weeks before the class for a full refund. If cancellation occurs within four weeks prior to the start of class, a refund will be issued only if the slot can be filled.)

For information on Covington, including where to stay and where to eat, click here.

Bio

Jögge Sundqvist works with handtools in the self-sufficient Scandinavian fine craft tradition, called Slöjd. He makes stools, chairs, cupboards, knives, spoons, sculpture and shelves painted with artists' oil color. He is the author of "Slöjd in Wood" and "Karvsnitt: Carving, Pattern & Color in the Slöjd Tradition," published in English by Lost Art Press.

He began learning the work of knife and axe at the age of four at the side of his father Wille Sundqvist. His formal education was at the fine woodcraft Vindeln Folk School 1982 – 84. He evolves the slöjd tradition and makes his slöjd work through his business, www.surolle.se. He also teaches, lectures, and writes books and is an international ambassador for Morakniv.

"Not uncrafty" is his motto.