This morning, I carved a Wild Cherry Pocket Spoon that I thought was nice. But, I'm staying with my mother for a while in the NC Sandhills and she took one look at it and gave me a revision. She said that if I curved the bowl and made the handle easier for little hands to grip that it would make a perfect spoon for toddlers. She said it might be good for them to bite on while teething, too. Well, I figured I'd make a set so I made a larger scoop for mom, too.
I figure the kid can eat with the smaller one and the longer scoop or spoon would be ideal for grits, oatmeal... or even cream of wheat if you are a yankee....
So, here is the deal... I have HUGE hands! So, when you see this spoon carved for a little one in my hand, that can palm a basketball, you will have to kind of envision it in context. Look at that grain pattern though... that was an unexpected treat!
As a cook, I could find a million uses for this scoop/spoon. But, I carved it with a young mother in mind. It is feather light and the handle is strong but delicate.
I have to admit that I love the grain on these. They come from the same log and these are God's patterns, not mine. As a carver, all I can do is to follow the grain of the wood and try to display it as best I can. The wood, itself is gorgeous, and that is especially true with the rich color of cherry... but you will never image how good it smells!
Okay... so one more thing. I love the idea of spoons for little kids, and I would like to make them special. At no extra charge, if you ask, I will customize them. I've been learning to use a pyrography pen/wood burning pen. Upon request, I will put the child's name on the small spoon or names on both, etc. Honestly, I think it would be extremely cool if 40 years from now someone found their childhood spoon in a box or drawer, with their name on it, and a matching one used by their mother, and it brought back a million good childhood memories. I'm mostly Irish, so I'm sentimental!
I think whoever buys this these will enjoy using them. They are sealed with Walnut Oil. As always, my woodwork is sustainably sourced from trees that are storm damaged or that must be thinned. Each piece is entirely hand made in the ancient greenwood tradition. I use only a hand saw, a small axe and knives. Each piece comes with a handwritten, numbered and signed document. These are heirloom quality spoons that, if properly cared for, will last for generations.
Price $50 with free shipping in the continental US. Click here to buy now.
What a gorgeous set. If you adjusted the toddler spoon to fit adult hand with arthritis, I'd bet many seniors could benefit from one that is easier to hold for them when the hands hurt and do not work as well as they used to.