Spoon Carver's Weekend

I have really great in-laws.

On June 6th to the 9th, the Milan Village Arts School in Milan, Minnesota helped sponsor “The Spoon Gathering,” which is “an annual assembly of folk artisans with an emphasis on spoons.” When I first heard about it, I was so excited I tried to figure out if there was a way I could attend. Unfortunately traveling from Ithaca, New York is too far to go right now. The weekend consisted of fellowship, artisan’s demonstrations, music, and Norman Stevens’ spoon collection.

Norman Stevens has been working on a project to collect 99 9-inch tea spoons from spoon carvers around the world. As of last time I talked to him, he had 119. He came across my web page and asked if I would make him a spoon to add to his collection. I was delighted and sent him a spoon just in time to add it to his collection for the weekend.

I told my in-laws about the weekend. I know they enjoy going to craft markets, and I thought they might enjoy this, too. I also told them that one of my spoons would be on display.

Not only did they go on Saturday, for the main action, but they also took Grandma with them and took a lot of pictures for me. I received the pictures in the mail yesterday and I am enjoying them! They took pictures of everything: the overall area, all the spoons they saw, and the demonstrators they listened to.

Here is a picture of my spoon among Mr. Stevens collection.

It is so much fun to be able to get an idea of what the weekend was like even though I couldn’t be there. I am very glad they went for me and I look forward to going myself in the future!