JCCFS: Tell us more about your upcoming woodcarving class, “Elegant Fan Birds: A Scandinavian Carving Tradition ” from December 5-8. It’s for all levels, correct?

JC: Yes, all levels are welcome. My classes typically start with a simple carving. After that, students move on to carve more complicated forms at their own pace. I go around the studio and provide individualized consultation with each student and try to help them overcome challenges they may be having with their carvings. When applicable, I share folklore and history behind the types of carvings we are making. I think understanding this cultural context helps make the carving process and objects much more interesting to the students.

JCCFS: What can students expect to leave with? 

JC: My hope is that students leave class with multiple benefits. These include: 1) improved carving skills they can use with many types of carving projects in the future (e.g., knife and gouge use techniques, tool sharpening, etc.); 2) one or more completed carvings; 3) a greater understanding of the folklore and cultural history behind the objects they made; and 4) new friendships and an altogether interesting and fun Folk School experience.

JCCFS: Tell us a little more about yourself for those who are unfamiliar.

JC: From childhood, I’ve loved exploring nature—trees, plants, and animals drew me in with irresistible attraction. This passion evolved into curiosity about how humans use natural materials. In 2004, I took my first woodcarving class at the Campbell Folk School, making hand-hewn bowls from maple slabs. Despite early struggles, I fell in love with carving and the Folk School experience. Over 20 years, I’ve honed skills in Spoon Carving, Kolrosing, Chip Carving, Relief Carving, and 3-D animal Carving, learning from about 30 master teachers across the U.S., U.K., Norway, and Sweden.

JCCFS: What is your favorite aspect of the John C. Campbell Folk School?

JC: As I mentioned earlier when talking about my own first Campbell class 20 years ago, I love meeting interesting people. The food is great. I always enjoy Morningsong and other special events.  It is interesting and enjoyable to stay in different dorm buildings and in the campground.  And I especially like exploring all parts of the campus. At different times over the years, I have given numerous informal campus tours to family and friends – it’s really fun for me to show others my favorite areas and “hidden treasures” scattered around in buildings and the natural areas around the property.

JCCFS: What’s something you’ve carved recently that you’re proud of, and why?

JC: I recently took an excellent online class sponsored by the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Iowa. The topic was kolrosing, which is a form of wood surface etching going back to Viking times. The teacher was superb, my fellow students were wonderful, and I significantly improved my skills and knowledge. For my main project, I covered the surface of a round bent wood box with numerous floral and leaf pattern designs.

JCCFS: What tips would you give an aspiring carver? Anything you wish you knew earlier in your career?

JC: Learning from different teachers and other sources can provide you with varied perspectives and skills. Eventually you can blend these inputs to create your own skills toolkit and personal style. For example, I have taken multiple spoon carving classes with different people. I’ve learned valuable techniques and new ideas from all of them. In addition, explore different types of carving and learn from styles of carving from different cultures around the world. Don’t forget to learn about the personal stories, cultural context, and history behind different forms of carving you do – it makes the whole crafting process so much more interesting.