Spoon carving in London

This interesting news item from the BBC about "Barn the Spoon" is worth a watch.  Barnaby Carder used to live and work in the woods, whittling spoons from trees, but managed to earn enough money to be able to open a store in Hackney, where he spends his days working in the window where passers by can see him in action. 

The man who makes his living whittling wooden spoons

Clog making, spoon carving and chairmaking in Sweden, 1923

This silent movie from Sweden shows traditional woodworkers making clogs, spoons and chairs.

Ring turning

Christian Werner of Seiffen, Germany is a master ring turner. It may not be obvious at first glance what this is, and although the commentary is in German, just watch and be amazed!

Ceramic artist Enric Mestre

Spanish ceramicist Enric Mestre creates slab constructed abstract sculptures. This video documentary shows the construction of one of his architecturally inspired pieces (be patient with the rather long introduction - it does get better).

Read more about Enric Mestre.

Why do you paint?

Twenty four artists tell us why they paint.

Lori McNee Kathy Tardif Tara Reed Matt LeBlanc Franziska San Pedro Connie Hozvicka Shannon Grissom Sarah Lacy Bryan Dubreuiel Maria Wiley Robin Maria Pedrero Teri Grainger Martin

Franck de Las Mercedes Sharon Cummings Katy Karnes Drew Brophy Annie Strack Kelli Bickman Robert Girandola Soniei Jennifer Williams Clara Berta Melody Lea Lamb

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Knitting A Circle Scarf

Here is a very nice instructional video suitable for absolute beginners. It shows how to make a comfy looking circle scarf that can also be used as a cowl or modified to make a neck warmer. It covers everything in great detail, from casting on, the basic stitch, the purl stitch, casting off, and sewing the ends together.

Weaving on an architectural scale

Tow videos today about the work of Laura Ellen Bacon, a British artist who creates large scale woven sculptures from a variety of materials.

The first video shows two large-scale works in red willow at The Arts & Crafts House in England's Lake District. These curvaceous structures, bonded to the building and the retaining wall of one of the garden terraces can be seen until the end of September 2012.

The next video shows Laura working with polypropylene ribbon on steel frames for an installation at the BLINK festival in the Market Square at Northampton in 2010.