Northern Wood Monkey reviews

Sebastian reviewed: Turn a wooden bowl on a traditional pole lathe

"I had a really fantastic day learning how to turn a wooden bowl. Steve is a great teacher and the course provides just the right amount of challenge while not being too overwhelming for a beginner. Highly recommended!"

Marian Simpson reviewed: Beginners spoon carving course

"What a lovely way to spend the day. Thanks to Steve, the day was interesting, informative, stimulating, challenging but above all fun. I was a complete beginner and also quite 'special' requiring some extra guidance at times. Steve was clear with the instructions at each stage which helped to allay any fears I had concerning the use of such sharp saws, axes and knives!! There was a really friendly, pleasant atmosphere, our group of 5 were affable and supportive, the lunch of soup and bread was tasty and tea, coffee and biscuits plentiful. I am proud of the spoon that emerged from the rough chunk of wood and really do think that I may be tempted to whittle away again in the future. Thanks Steve."

william flood reviewed: Beginners spoon carving course

"Hi Steve I found my day with you interesting and informative,which I have taken on board. I am sorry about thr disruption after my phone call and the sad news was unexpected and upset me. I am afraid that the journey home was horrendous and it took me 2h 30m to get home due to thick fog coming over the tops and heavy traffic. I think I will have to find something closer to me. Thank you very much for the day and good luck for the future. Bill Flood"

Northern Wood Monkey responded:

"Hi Bill, I was sorry to hear of your news too, which much have made the journey home more difficult. I am glad you found the course interesting though, and wish you well in the future"

Lorna Rimell reviewed: Beginners spoon carving course

"Thanks for a really excellent course Steve. Prior to the course, I had no experience of wood carving of any kind. I had an idea that it would be a more gentle activity than it was. There was quite a bit of axe work prior to the more delicate shaping. But it was so satisfying to see a spoon emerge from what looked like a chunk of firewood. I'm so pleased with my spoon. As a first attempt it's a bit chunky and rough around the edges but, now that I've sanded and oiled it, I can really use it. It's my little work of art. Thanks for an enjoyable day and a new set of skills."

Steve Scott reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"Did a course with Steve making a wooden fan bird. Had a good time learning knew techniques. Tutor was great. Amazing to see the end product from a piece of wood. I'd definitely recommend it! Looking forward to the next course with Steve....Spoon making!"

Make a fan bird reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"As an absolute beginner with no knowledge or experience of carving or using tools of the trade, I attended a half-day course to make a fan bird. Steve is a great teacher who demonstrated, explained and inspired. Everyone in the group created their own carved fan birds and I never thought I'd be able to make something so lovely on my first attempt. I have a beautiful fan bird! It was a relaxing environment and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of learning how to make something very special with wood. Thank you!"

Richard Parker reviewed: Turn a wooden bowl on a traditional pole lathe

"I can heartily recommend doing one of Steve's (Northern Wood Monkey) courses. I have done two courses with Steve . The first was a spoon making day with my wife and a few others. This was great fun and we came away with two serviceable rough spoons which we have since finished off at home, with guidance (and some sand paper) from Steve. Throughout, Steve gave good guidance and helped out when we agreed it was needed (quite often in my case). Steve also provided refreshments and soup / bread at lunch time from wooden bowls and spoons of his making. Drinking soup from Steve's bowl prompted me to do an individual day's course, turning a bowl using a pole lathe in Steve's little workshop in the Tyne Valley. We started with a half log (!) which Steve helped me axe down to a good shape to then turn on the pole lathe. Again, Steve gave just enough help throughout - leaving me to work (slowly!) away for most of the time and provided refreshments and more soup and bread. Having started with the half log, I went away with a bowl I could finish with a little hand carving (smoothing the internal and external bottom) and then removing the rough bits before sanding and oiling. I am very proud of my lovely bowl (and spoon) and look forward to using them for years to come. However, the main thing is I had this massive sense of achievement - completing something of beauty with my own hand and muscle and using a lovely simple set of tools to do so. Many thanks!"

Michael Hall reviewed: Beginners spoon carving course

"I completed the beginner carving course with my partner yesterday. Upon arrival Stephen was friendly and approachable and did not cease being so the entire length of the session. The setting was lovely, comfortable and a genuinely nice space to learn in. Stephen took our group through the very basics of selecting wood, reading the grain, axe work, knife work and techniques. By the end we all had something that, whilst rustic, was ours. Uniquely ours. You'll leave the session able to competently pursue carving at home should you wish, it is certainly what I'll be doing."

Louise reviewed: Beginners spoon carving taster session

"This is a lovely workshop allowing anyone to have a go. Its fun and relaxed and plenty of tea, encouragement and support to come away with your own uniquely designed spoon. It was so much fun I'm bringing along the whole family to another workshop :-)"

Claire reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"I did the fanbird course in May and made two fanbirds which I am going to give as gifts. Everything was really well organised and it's a very fun activity. Steve also helped me organise my tools and gave lots of advice so I can carry on at home."

Anita Kiss reviewed: Turn a wooden bowl on a traditional pole lathe

"Just done this course yesterday and with Steve’s excellent guidance managed to make two birds during the afternoon! It was great fun and felt wonderful to be working with wood, so I’ll be back for the spoon-making course. Highly recommended."

Peter Bilton reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"Excellent day with Steve, great tuition, everything provided in a warm and friendly environment. Would strongly recommend for anyone wanting to pickup basic carving skills."

John Parrack reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"Excellent course, excellent tuition from Steve. Learned a lot which will come in handy for my work and hobby and came out with a spoon to top it all. Great to work along with like minded people too. Thank you."

Alba & Jonathan reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"We had an excellent day with Steve learning about working with wood and spoon carving. He was very nice, explained everything very clearly and helped us whenever we needed. It is definitely a great workshop if you want to try something new or start a new hobby. We learnt many new things. Thanks to Steve for all his hard work!"

Linda Parker reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"We really enjoyed the day making a wooden spoon. Steve is an excellent teacher, explaining very clearly each step. He gives lots of individual attention and is really encouraging. It’s a super experience and great fun."

Claire H reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"Highly recommended course and very good value for money. I'd made a spoon by the end of the day which flew by, completely absorbing so much so I was surprised when told it was nearing the end of the day. I now have the knowledge to carry on at home and start a new hobby."

Julia Black reviewed: Turn a wooden bowl on a traditional pole lathe

"Although I am not at all ‘crafty’, I managed, with Steve’s wonderful guidance and help, to make a presentable fanbird, and only 4 plasters required. It was great fun and I felt I learned a lot."

Neil Pont reviewed: Turn a wooden bowl on a traditional pole lathe

"Steven is a patient teacher who makes you feel at ease learning a new skill. The course is challenging, entertaining, relaxing (sort of!) and you end up with an excellent product to show off and amaze your friends with."

Rachel Colver reviewed: Turn a wooden bowl on a traditional pole lathe

"Fabulous afternoon. Great encouraging atmosphere. Everyone smiled from start to finish! Very pleased with the finished Fan Bird."

Wendy Gregory reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"In 6 hours managed to make a wooden serving spoon from a hewn block of wood initially using an axe then various knives. Steve explained and demonstrated each stage of the process and helped each of us as required. It was challenging but a really great day. The whole day was very well organised and I would recommend it to anyone who likes working with wood and want to be able to create something interesting and useful."

Tony Laws reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"Spent yesterday at the wooden spoon carving course at the Sill. A thoroughly enjoyable experience! All the steps were clearly described and demonstrated by Steve and with only five participants there was ample time for Steve to give one to one help and assistance where required. If you like working with wood then, like me, you will find green wood spoon carving an enjoyable new challenge and potentially an absorbing pastime!"

Hannah Wrigley reviewed: Turn a wooden bowl on a traditional pole lathe

"It was an absolutely wonderful and engaging course where I was able to produce work I was proud of. Everything was well explained, step-by-step and I've taken away a lot of new skills. I can't wait to continue making these lovely Fan Birds at home."

David Wilson reviewed: Beginners spoon carving course

"It was a very relaxed, informative and enjoyable day out, well organised and actually fun to work with wood at this level. Thank you."

Emma reviewed: Turn a wooden bowl on a traditional pole lathe

"A highly rewarding and relaxing afternoon. Just the right level of challenge and a finished product to be proud of. Steve's directions and support throughout the session were patient and clear. patient A great course and excellent value for money"

Pete Newell reviewed: Beginners spoon carving taster session

"I got the ticket for this from a friend and so was not something I would have actively sought out, but as soon as I got into the class and started carving I could instantly see the appeal. It's just something about the feel of a sharp knife on wood and the ease with which you can remove long curls of material, carve nice curves and so forth that made it so satisfying. With the majority of us working office jobs and rarely developing this type of skill, it just feels like a medicine for the slog of modern life. As for the instructor, Steve is calm and clear in his delivery, but you quickly get a sense of his enthusiasm and it's infectious. When our time was up we didn't want to stop!"