Handcarved Wooden Spoon (Banksia)

A piece of art that you can use every day, and keep for a lifetime. Hand crafted using Banksia from Wallaga Lake in Yuin Country, on the Sapphire Coast of NSW. Each spoon takes hours of skilled artistry to create. Spoon-making is an ancient art that takes time and energy. Our wooden spoons are all unique and come thoughtfully packaged in a gift box.

From Taisha, our maker:

I have a deep love of trees and see how much wood we consume every day just for basic needs like warmth and hygiene. Repurposing is not the solution to wastage, but I’m hopeful that it guides curious minds towards a growing movement where we reuse, repair or recycle instead of mindlessly consuming new products.

Freshly fallen or “green” wood is ideal to carve as it is still quite soft. I’ll first spot a fallen tree or branch, and note how long it’s been laying there. If it has dried and hardened, I’ll remove the bark & soak it in water for a few days to soften. The branches have less density than the trunk, so usually the strongest spoons come from splitting up the trunk. This is where our first tool, a trusty hatchet comes in handy. I’ll split the timber into handle-thick pieces, sometimes long for cooking spoons or short for teaspoons. From here I’ll prep my knives, usually two different lengths, a scoop knife and occasionally a curved gouge. I start by wedging out the neck to indicate the bowl of the spoon, then let the wood speak for itself. Once I establish the practical needs, handle & bowl, the rest is the wood grain telling me which lines to follow. I try not to interfere too much beyond what feels good. When I’m satisfied I start sanding the spoon from low-grit to high-grit. If I want to keep embellishing I burn details in the wood with a wood burner. Oiling is the final step and by far the most satisfying. No matter how many spoons I carve, my heart still rejoices when the colour and grain are revealed. 

Choose your spoon

Each spoon that Taisha crafts is unique, so we provide you with the opportunity to choose the spoon that speaks to you. The individual photos show the front and back of each spoon, with a 50c coin for scale. The sizes are rough, as they are not measuring spoons: teaspoon/large teaspoon (perfect for stirring tea, adding salt or spices to meals), honey spoon (longer handles allow for the perfect dip), ceremonial spoons (larger spoons, place on an alter/shrine, use for cacao, matcha, cooking or add a decorative touch to your kitchen). 

Basic Care Tips

To help keep your spoon in top condition please note the following:

• Wash by hand - no dishwashers.
• Do not leave soaking in water.
• Store in a dry place out of direct sunlight/excessive heat.

These handmade spoons are natural wood, meaning they can change in colour and feel over time. If fading occurs, a light sand with high-grit paper and a fresh coat of oil is all you need to keep it going for a lifetime.