Suitable for: Adults, Beginners, Improvers

Considerations: Outdoors based

What to wear: Sturdy shoes, outdoor/wet weather gear

What to bring: Notebook and pen for taking notes, any carving tools you may have (tools will be provided)

For Sale: Some carving tools will be available to buy on the day to take home 

Refreshments: Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available throughout the day. We also have a fantastic on-site cafe, Embers, run by local chef 'Shropshire Lad'. 

The course: 

Learn how to carve your very own bowl using traditional tools and techniques, with master craftsman Pete Lloyd. By the end of the course, students will leave with a deeper understanding of bowl carving, the confidence to continue independently, and a unique wooden bowl made with their own hands.

You will learn:

Tree Identification & Wood Properties:

Introduction to identifying birch, alder and cherry trees in the woodland.
Learn about their qualities for carving, grain patterns, and how moisture content affects the carving process.

Sharpening Techniques

Essential tool care: how to sharpen and maintain your bowl carving tools including adzes, gouges, and hook knives.
Using sharpening stones and strops to achieve a clean, safe edge.

Bowl Design & Drawing:

Explore bowl forms and functions—round, oval, shallow, or deep.
Sketch own design, thinking about use, balance, and aesthetics.

 
Hollowing the Bowl in clamped in bowl horse:

Learn how to use gouges and mallet to hollow out the bowl safely and effectively.
Understand grain direction and how to carve with the wood, not against it.

Shaping the Outside:

Use axes, gouges and knives to shape the bowl’s exterior, refining curves and symmetry.
Focus on clean, confident cuts and tool control.

Refining & Detailing: 

Further refine the bowl’s inner and outer surfaces using knives and scrapers.
Tips for smoothing tool marks, adding texture, or carving subtle decorative elements.

Finishing & Care:

Learn how to finish your bowl using natural oils or waxes.
Discuss how to care for wooden bowls and maintain them over time.

Creative Decoration (Optional):

If time allows, experiment with small gouges decorative carving, texturing, or burning patterns into your bowl—drawing inspiration from trees, bark, or traditional motifs.

Wrap-up & Reflection, Sharing & Feedback:

A chance to reflect, share your finished or in-progress bowls, and talk through the challenges and joys of the process.

Tutor: Pete Lloyd 

Pete Lloyd has over 18 years’ experience in traditional greenwood craft and has been teaching for 15 of those. He began with a two-year Chair Making and Greenwood Working apprenticeship under Gudrun Leitz at Clissett Wood, and went on to study woodcraft and blacksmithing at the Malung Folk Craft School in Sweden. He also spent two years making tools with blacksmith Nic Westermann.

His approach to craft has been shaped by a mixture of formal training, personal exploration, and time spent with skilled makers. A cycle tour through Sweden and Norway offered the chance to meet craftspeople, attend gatherings, and experience living craft traditions. Pete also holds a BA in Fine Art from Bristol, where his work focused on land-based sculpture and craft.

“I do this work because I love the quiet wisdom of trees and the story each piece of wood holds. Crafting with greenwood connects me to the woodland, to tradition, and to a slower, more thoughtful way of living. Teaching allows me to share this connection—guiding others to shape wood with their hands, find creative expression through craft, and build lasting relationships with trees, tools, and their own creativity.”

“I believe in the magic of trees and the quiet lessons they offer. When I’m not working with greenwood, I’m usually out in the woods, watching the seasons shift and noticing the small details. My favourite tree is the hawthorn – strong, resilient, and long used in herbal medicine. It reminds me that both craft and healing take patience, care, and a steady connection to nature. That’s something I try to pass on in my teaching.”