Student Reviews
"Great communication and patience from instructor."
"I learned a lot in a relaxed environment.”
Class Overview
Practice the art of whittling! In this hands-on class, carve and paint your own one-of-a-kind “alebrije” animal figurine, a Mexican folk art tradition from the state of Oaxaca.
Gain inspiration from the brightly colored fantastical creatures from the Oaxacan tradition seen in the animated movie “Coco.” Develop your whittling skills, and your imagination, while making art that you will treasure for years to come. These figurines also make wonderful gifts.
Learn how to use whittling tools safely and select wood for your project. Gain skills on making basic cuts and use proper whittling techniques. You will also learn how to sharpen and hone your tools to keep them razor-sharp. If you’ve taken carving classes with us before, this will be an opportunity to hone your skills on another project.
Supplies Needed
Please bring these items to the first class:
- Whittler’s detail knife / sharpen carving knife (recommended: KN13 detail knife with carbon steel blade, one and one-half inch blade)
- Cut-resistant wood-carving gloves (Protective glove for non-dominant hand. Select a glove designed for wood carving or cut resistance.)
- Thumb Guard (recommended: Self-adhesive bandage wrap, one to two inch wide)
- Honing strop (recommended: leather honing strop with polishing compound, 3 inches by 8 inches, double-sided)
- Pencil (standard HB or 2B)
*** If you have any questions about the materials needed, click on the instructor's name, Saman Shojaie Barjuei, to email him.
Learning Objectives
- Obtain knowledge of whittling
- Understand the use of tools
- Carve safely and with confidence
- Be familiar with how to select woods depending on projects
- Make the basic cuts and techniques
- Understand how to sharpen the tools
Who Might Enjoy This Class?
- Anyone interested in learning the art of whittling
- People looking for a new hobby, creative outlet, or craft to do with your hands
- Anyone who would like to make small gifts from wood
- Perfect for anyone who has taken our other wood carving classes: Whittling Basics, Wood Carving: Animals, or Wood Carving: Spoons
- Anyone interested in the culture and folk art of southern Mexican / Oaxacan including Spanish language students
For related classes, check out our Wood Craft class series.
Class Details
Fall 2025
- When : Thursday, Oct 23 to Nov 06 ; 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Location : SC0BE , SC - BE - Cont Edu - BE1139B , 1701 Broadway Seattle WA 98022
- Fee : $189
