Chip Carving - Know Before You Go

Come along to this Know Before You Go version of the Introduction to Chip Carving workshop with Graeme Brown. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll discover a simple yet satisfying technique to decorate wooden objects using chip carving. This workshop is suitable for teens and adults (12+). Please note, this booking is for the Know Before You Go session. Please read the ‘Know Before You Go’ guidance below, to decide if this session is for you. With just a sharp knife, you’ll learn how to remove small chips of wood to create beautiful, eye-catching patterns on wooden blanks. It’s an accessible way to transform wood using minimal tools—perfect for beginners!

Know Before You Go

This is a 'Know Before You Go' workshop. Here you have the opportunity to pre-book a selection of activities that are otherwise 'sign-up on the day' or 'drop-in'.

We have also included additional information such as an explanation of what to expect, steps to the workshop activity and a description of the environment.

This new approach is designed to help you feel informed, supported and welcome before you start the experience, and allow you to book to guarantee a space.

Please only book if a 'Know Before You Go' workshop would benefit you. This workshop is also available to sign-up on the day from 12pm onwards over the weekend.

Key Details:

• Suitable for ages 12+
• This workshop is free
• There are 6 places available each session
• The workshop will last approx 1 hour
• Location: Bell tent in Cathedral Square
• There are 5 workshops which will take place at varying times within the same Kitchen Tables venue

Please arrive at the venue 5 minutes before the workshop. Unfortunately your place may be allocated to a participant on the waiting list in the event of late arrival.

Advanced booking required.

To see what else is going on over the festival weekend, click here.

Workshop - What to expect

The workshop will begin with an introduction to Graeme’s woodworking practice by showing some examples Graeme will then introduce the tools and materials which will be used during the workshop, and provide a demonstration

There will then be some time to draw your ideas. Visual references will be provided for inspiration, or you can come up with your own design

You will be provided with a block of lime wood to carve

A sharp knife will be provided to carve your wood blockThe supplied blank is a block of lime wood, finished items could be a small plaque, key fob, paperweight or similar

If you would like to create your own design, Graeme can provide some visual references and suggestions. Finished items could be a small plaque, key fob, paperweight or something similar

Chip carving exists in many cultures worldwide and is practised widely, it is a simple technique but requires practice and opens up many possibilities for decorating wooden objects

Venue Access Information: Kitchen Tables Bell Tent - Cathedral Square

Bell tent is on grass. The surface is mostly level with minor bumps and dips.

No internal flooring; ground may become muddy in wet weather, especially near the entrance.

Entrance is ground level with no step; surface changes from paved path to grass.

Tent entrance is an open side (3.8m wide) with a central pole dividing it into two 1.9m openings.

No temperature control – temperature varies with the weather.

Seating provided only for workshop participants; nearest public seating is in Cathedral Square.

Space may become crowded due to multiple workshops and festival visitors entering freely. The time of this workshop is the first hour of the festival opening and therefore is usually less crowded than other times.

Noise levels will vary due to other workshops within the tent, and external sounds such as live music stage in close proximity.

About Graeme Brown

Graeme Brown is a green woodworker based in North Lancashire. He creates all sorts of woodenware using foraged and sustainable wood, including spoons and bowls. He sells his work at markets and also teaches regular workshops for people wanting to try their hand at woodcarving. Graeme enjoys learning new skills and has recently started making baskets from split hazel, an endangered heritage craft.