Shows
SloydcastEpisode 19 - Adam AshworthEnjoy this chat with blacksmith and tool maker, Adam Ashworth. He shares his story of woodworker-turned-blacksmith that was sparked, like many, by an obsession with green woodworking and spoon carving. He shares his insights into mastering the craft of knife making and the niche he has, pun intended, carved out for himself making sloyd knives. We discuss some of the specifics of being a self-employed craftsperson and, as always, we dive into the technical aspects of his craft, most notably Adam's recent foray into the ancient craft of metal etching. We hope you enjoy this chat!Share...
2023-11-221h 40
SloydcastEpisode 18 - Zach ChrisingerWe're back with our first in-person guest, Zach Chrisinger. We hear his story of going from first time carpenter to full-fledged green woodworker and how he fell in love with the pole lathe. We discuss the pros & cons of learning from the internet, being on social media, and what really drives Zach to pursue and hone his craft. We get into the finer details of teaching green woodworking skills as well as our usual foray into the nitty gritty of tools and the accessories skills required to master pole lathe turning. It was a real pleasure to have Zach...
2023-08-121h 22
SloydcastEpisode 17 - Emmet Van DriescheWe are back! And joined by the one and only spoon carving, coppiced Christmas tree growing maverick, Emmet Van Driesche. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, starting by learning about Emmet's journey to becoming a full-time spoon carver, to the trials and tribulations of making a living using social media. We discuss his unique path as a professional spoon carver, how he brought his skills as writer to create Spoonesaurus magazine and his three books and how craft and spoon carving contributes to one's mental wellbeing. Emmet also shares some insights into his workflow, what inspires...
2023-02-212h 07
SloydcastBONUS - Solstice Sloyd ShindigMike & I hosted a small informal gathering here in Sedalia, VA the weekend before the summer solstice. A great group of local sloyd enthusiasts gathered and we carved, cooked, swam, and pole lathe turned for a couple days. This is a short bonus episode introducing everyone who was there. Enjoy!
2022-06-2806 min
SloydcastEpisode 16 - Julia KalthoffJoin us for this chat with crafty axe maker Julia Kalthoff. We learn about her lifelong craft journey from her mother's fabric store to working for Wetterlings. We get into all of the the details of the inception and production of the axes she makes--from the long process of refining each aspect of the design and production, to the rigorous refinement of the metallurgical alchemy of tool making, to some of the finer points of grind geometry, fitting the handles and more. We also touch on the subject of preserving a strong and healthy body whilst pursuing handcraft beyond...
2022-06-091h 08
SloydcastEpisode 15 - Zed ShahJoin us for this lively conversation with none other than Zed Shah. We get into a wide range of topics, learning about Zed's inroad to bushcraft, spooncarving and the broader sloyd world from his background in social work and marketing. We explore how the geographical & cultural distinctions influence craft in different parts of the world, and in particular why the UK is such a hub. We learn about Zed's journey as a film maker and the evolution of his approach to documenting the craftspeople and skills he documents and shares, the influence of social media on craft, the importance...
2022-05-031h 58
SloydcastEpisode 14 - Mark KrawczykJoin us for this engaging chat with Mark Krawczyk—Renaissance man of permaculture, wood craft, and agroforestry. We delve into his journey from college to study permaculture with Bill Mollison in the early 2000’s which eventually lead him to the UK to learn from the likes of Ben Law, Mike Abbott, and back to the states to intern with Drew Langsner. We explore the finer points of greenwood working in the tradition of chair-making, hickory bark harvesting, and seat weaving—then into the principles and practices of coppice agroforestry and his upcoming book Coppice Agroforestry: Tending Trees for Product, Profit...
2022-02-151h 56
SloydcastEpisode 13 - Rosie RendellJoin us for this chat with the amazingly talented coppice and green woodworker Rosie Rendell. We learn about her journey from gardener to coppice woodworker and the burgeoning businesses she has built since. She gives us a lesson in what coppicing is, what hedgelaying is, and some of the basic principles and practices that define these crafts. We learn about the seasonal flow of her work and get a sense of how deeply connect her work is to the ecosystem, her raw material, and the ancient crafts she is carrying into the future. We top it off discussing her...
2022-01-311h 27
SloydcastEpisode 12 - Lee StofferJoin us for this chat with the multi-talented craftsman Lee Stoffer. We get into Lee’s first introduction to green woodworking and sloyd via the illustrious Mike Abbott, how he went from the pole lathe to spoon carving to tool making and leather work. We learn about how he came to develop his now celebrated spoon scorp. And we also get into the weeds on some of the finer points of being a self employed crafts person, marketing our craft, how social media fits into the life and business of craft, and much more. Lee is passionate about his cr...
2021-11-231h 51
SloydcastEpisode 11 - Magnus SundelinJoin us for this wonderful chat with the one and only, Magnus Sundelin aka Sloyd Magnus. We get into the lifelong journey of sloyd for Magnus, starting with whittling in the woods alongside his grandfather, and the long circuitous path that lead him to where he is today as part crafts teacher, green woodworker and tool maker. We get deep into the philosophy of what sloyd means to Magnus, to culture, and to humanity at large. We get into the weeds with his passion for blacksmithing and tool making and his approach to designing and making the best tools...
2021-08-212h 25
SloydcastEpisode 10 — Fred LivesayJoin us for a lovely chat with the savvy sloyder, Fred Livesay. We learn about his journey through the realms of handcraft starting from the ripe young age of 7, and the decades of exploration and experience he's embarked on since. We chat about the deep influence of Scandinavian wood working tradition in his work, the philosophy of handcraft and handmade utilitarian objects, immigrant culture and mindsets regarding materials, and some of the finer points of what it means to be a craftsperson beyond the realms of social media and internet algorithms. We also get some history on the beginning...
2021-05-241h 37
SloydcastEpisode 09 — Reid SchwartzJoin us fo this information packed chat with the maestro of metal, Reid Schwartz. We learn about his journey from art school to cabinet shop and his passion for metal working that was sparked early on, the video of a Russian ladle carver that blew his mind, his experience learning to make birch bark canoes, and the slew of friends, figures, and mentors who inspired him along the way. Reid is a fantastic storyteller and shares insights into what drives him and his approach to tool making and craft, plus we get a bit more technical at the end...
2021-03-172h 21
SloydcastEpisode 08 — Mike AbbottJoin us for a lovely chat with the Godfather of Green Woodworking in the UK, none other than Mike Abbott. We hear about Mike's journey to the craft starting in the early 1980's and the long winding road that led him to establishing Living Woods Training in 1985. He shares countless stories of all the folks he has met along the way, inspiring, guiding, and encouraging him to forge ahead preserving and passing on dying skills and traditions. It's a recount of 30+ years building a green woodworking movement, teaching hundreds of students , and establishing a far flung legacy. We really...
2021-02-211h 39
SloydcastEpisode 07 — Owen ThomasJoin us for this in-depth conversation with bowl turner, spoon carver, and all-around crafty fellow, Owen Thomas. He shares his journey from commercial woodworker to sloyd craftsman over the past decade—we learn about the initial exposure that sparked his interest, his time learning from Mike Abbott, apprenticing with Barn the Spoon, and creating a livelihood as a green woodworker. We got into his unique approach to spoon carving, his passion for the pole lathe, and his venture into increasing his production of turned objects using a Japanese-style electric lathe. This chat covers a lot of ground and gives yo...
2021-01-242h 14
SloydcastEpisode 06 — Yoav ElkayamEnjoy this chat with the inimitable Yoav Elkayam. He shares the story of his journey into green woodworking and pole lathe turning and all of the places, experiences, and people that helped him along the way. We get into some of the nitty gritty of making a living as a craftsperson in the modern age, the challenges and benefits of social media, his life at Brookhouse Woods—where he, his partner, and daughter live in an off-grid cabin—and a whole slue of tangential subjects. We also delve into some of the details of end grain pole lathe turning, tool...
2020-12-251h 54
SloydcastEpisode 05 — Jögge SundqvistWe are excited to share this conversation with the godfather of sloyd, Jögge Sundqvist. We learn about his upbringing with his father, the rightfully celebrated Willie Sundqvist, his journey from rockstar to sloyd master, how his alter ego Surolle came to life, the ethnology of the term sloyd and it’s ancient colloquial roots, what his life is like as a professional craftsman, and much more! It was a joy and honor to have this time to chat with him and we hope you all enjoy it!
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2020-12-191h 46
SloydcastEpisode 04 — Jarrod DahlEnjoy this chat with green woodworker extraordinaire Jarrod Dahl. We talk about his journey into green woodworking, how he helped propel spoon carving with his Scandinavian influence, pioneered pole lathe turning in the US, his foray in Japanese traditional wood turning techniques and how his philosophy and trajectory have changed over the years. It's a snippet of the breadth of Jarrod's experience and wisdom, with lots of details for all skill levels. We'll definitely be having Jarrod back in the future to discuss all that we didn't have time to get into with this episode!
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2020-10-311h 48
SloydcastEpisode 03 - Barn The SpoonJoin us for this month’s episode where we chat with the one and only, Barn The Spoon. This was a lovely chat where we covered a lot of ground and got to know a lot more about Barn’s journey as a greenwood worker and spoon carver. From his first taste of wood working with a lathe in his parent’s garage, to walking around and carving spoons as a traveling spoon peddler, to his infamous London spoon shop, and much more. We get to hear about Barn’s philosophy, what inspires him and fuels his passion for his work...
2020-09-181h 38
SloydcastEpisode 02 - Amy Leake aka WoodmunglerEnjoy this chat with spoon carver, pole lathe turner and all around crafty woman, Amy Leake. You may know her as Woodmungler on facebook and Instragram, and we learn why that is. We also learn about her path to green woodworking, what inspires her, and about the techniques she uses to make her wares. Not to mention, we learn what mudlarking is, what a brooch is, and get context for what it's like to be a green woodworking who lives in a seaside English village. She is humble and gracious with her knowledge which makes for an enjoyable conversation.
2020-08-131h 16
SloydcastEpisode 01 - Matty WhittakerWe have a lovely chat with blacksmith, toolmaker and pole lathe turner Matty Whittaker. We dive deep into the lifestyle of a small-holder in rural England, Matty's long journey into the world of green woodworking, managing a woodland, and the philosophy that fuels him. We also touch on the more technical, getting a peek into Matty's tool making process and work space. Overall, a lovely chat!
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www.instagram.com/matty.whittaker
Matty's Toolmaking Video:
Forging a...
2020-07-231h 24
SloydcastEpisode 00 — Mark Angelini & Mike HannaIn this inaugural episode we introduce our hosts Mark Angelini and Mike Hanna, how they got into sloyd and green woodworking, what their plans are for this podcast, and share a little bit about their own lives.
2020-06-1831 min