David Western - Great Book of Spoon Carving Patterns: Detailed Patterns and Photos for Decorative Spoons (Fox Chapel Publishing) Mix-and-Match 5 Bowls and 75 Handles ... Patterns & Photos for Decorative Spoons

2021 by David Western and Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.

Great Book of Spoon Carving Patterns is an original work, first published in 2021 by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc. The patterns contained herein are copyrighted by the author. Readers may make copies of these patterns for personal use. The patterns themselves, however, are not to be duplicated for resale or distribution under any circumstances. Any such copying is a violation of copyright law.

Photography Chris Roberts, Victoria BC Canada Supplemental Photography Fox Chapel Publishing by Mike Mihalo

Print ISBN 978-1-4971-0151-7
eISBN 978-1-6076-5880-1

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S poons are more than just functional utensils that you use and then toss into the dishwasher. If youve never heard of decorative or romantic spoons, this book will teach you the basics about this exciting tradition. Even if you already know a bit about the topic, this book will expand your horizons with great recommendations for carving and finishing. It will also equip you with all the information you need to make your own historically inspired and unique romantic spoons.

Any spoon that is not meant for eating but for display or gifting is a decorative spoon, but not all decorative spoons are romantic spoons. A romantic spoon cannot simply function as a utensil or as an attractive art piece; it must also send a message of feeling, passion, or love. Although such spoons are frequently and somewhat too broadly called lovespoons, you will soon see that this is a restrictive name for a wide and rich field of spoon carving. This books collection digs into that field, examining tester, courting, wedding, novelty, and festival spoons, and explains the variety of purposes for which these romantic spoons were historically (and are still today) given and used.

The spoons that make up this volume are historical facsimiles, designed to be accurate to period, region, and dominant styles. Many are amalgamations of a range of common features or techniques, while others more closely represent a particularly significant historical spoon or regional specialty style. They are not intended to be exact replicas, simply very accurate historical representations.

The patterns in this book can be directly copied and carved, but they can also be cut and pasted in new combinations of elements to create an infinite array of fresh designs. For those with strong design abilities, this book will provide a rich foundation on which to experiment and build.

Romantic spoon carving is a lot of fun and is a very worthwhile pursuit. Whether you wish to carve a wedding or anniversary gift, a birth or memorial marker, or if you just want to enjoy the technical challenge of carving some of the designs, you will find plenty of inspiration and assistance within these pages.

David Western, BC, Canada

T his section will teach you everything you need to get started carving romantic spoons, including a quick introduction to their history and symbolism; suggested woods and essential tools; ways to finish and preserve your spoons; basic cuts and carving safety for novice carvers; how to customize a spoon design unique to you; and how to carve a basic spoon step by step. Read what applies to you based on your level of familiarity with spoon carving and woodcarving in general, then head to Part 2: The Patterns!

Beginning in the early to mid-1600s, it became common practice for young, single men throughout Europe to create ornately embellished, carved wooden love tokens that would be given as gifts to the young women who had caught their eye or captivated their hearts.

Often, these tokens tended to reflect regional trades, pastimes, or specialties by taking the form of decorated tools, with tools for knitting, lacework, or milking being particularly popular. In several regions, however, the spoon became the dominant courting, wedding, and gifting love token, eventually finding popularity from the Arctic Circle to the Carpathian Mountains.

Little is known of why the spoon became such a popular love token; explanations range from its simplicity to carve and its portability, to the urge of common folk to mimic the gentrys burgeoning use of fancy metal spoons.

The spoons themselves were given for a variety of romantic reasons, ranging from simple statements of passionate interest through to the symbolic sealing of marital unions. Ardent amateurs and impartial professionals alike carved them. Often, the spoon acted as a rsum, showing the young woman and her family that the young man was skilled and tenacious or that he was financially secure enough to afford the services of a professional. A well-carved spoon clearly showed the carvers abilities and his willingness to see a difficult task through to a proper conclusion, traits that were favorably viewed. However, a poorly carved offering would most certainly have not assisted the young man in winning approval with anyone.

Although the vast majority of romantic spoons are now carved by machinery in a commercial setting, more and more hand carvers are realizing just how wonderful a project they are. Easily crafted from limited materials and with a simple selection of tools, a spoon can encapsulate a great deal of symbolic imagery and tell a real story of love or admiration. They are beautifully suited as gifts for a wide range of circumstances ranging from weddings and anniversaries to birthdays and christenings.

Once carved only by men, now anyone can carve romantic spoons, and their range of purpose has expanded significantly with a vast array of symbolic images now utilized to make ever more meaningful designs. Whether youre a complete beginner or an advanced carver, spoon carving offers you an opportunity to create beautiful and deeply meaningful artwork from basic tools and minimal material.