Rick Wiebe teaches courses in:
Recreation Centers
Seniors Groups
Community Centers
Scouts/Cubs/Guides groups
Camps
​Home and public schools


Woodcarving and whittling is for anyone who is interested and coordinated enough to walk and think at the same time. Rick has taught hundreds of people; children, busy professionals, and retired men and women to enjoy themselves and relax with this fascinating form of folk art. Whittling (carving with just a knife), especially, is very portable and fits in well with many other activities. A whittler is never bored while waiting for the fish to bite, or the bus to come. People whittle while just soaking up the sunshine or chatting with a friend. Sometimes the friend starts to get interested too. Rick often whittles while waiting for his food in a cafe. When offered the choice between money or the "whittlin'" as a tip, servers almost always choose the carving.

The basic course involves learning to make the required cuts in the wood with a knife. Then children make some simple toys (boomerang, flying propeller, whistle, etc.) Adults usually work on making a simple human face. Sharpening is next since it is impossible to do good work without a sharp tool. To finish the course, students make a functional walking stick, sometimes decorated with a simple human face.

Once bitten by the "bug" new carvers will want to learn more and Rick will help them develop in the direction they choose. They will be introduced to tools other than the knife such as carving chisels, usually called gouges, which make the process more efficient, and allow the carver to attempt much larger projects.

If you are involved in programming for an agency that could benefit from his services, make contact by e-mail, or telephone. You and the people in your group will enjoy learning to carve
 
Included in the cost are all the supplies and tools you need to learn the cuts and make the projects unless otherwise stated.     (You will need a knife of your own to learn to sharpen.)

Knives, tools, sharpening equipment, supplies and books will be available for purchase.

​The following classes are open to the public.  Contact the sponsoring agency for fees.
​
Kamloops, BC

Woodcarving For Kids
Aged 9 and older
TBA
3:30 - 5:30

Introduction to Woodcarving for adults
TBA
7:00 - 10:00

Registration details:  call Kamloops Recreation
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Kelowna, BC            Lee Valley Tools         180 - 1876 Cooper Rd.



Knife Sharpening 
Adults
Thursday, January 16, 2020  

Learn To Whittle
Adults
Friday, January 17, 2020

Knife Modification 
Adults
Saturday, January 18, 2020 

Carving Cottonwood Characters
Adults
Thursday, February 6, 2020

Carve a Walking Stick with Personality 
Adults
Friday, February 7, 2020

Fancarving for Beginners & Advanced
Adults
Saturday, February 8, 2020

Kids Learn to Whittle - Level 1
Kids ages 9 and up
Thursday, March 19, 2020
9:30 to 1:30 

Kids Learn to Whittle - Level 2
Kids ages 9 and up
Thursday, March 19, 2020
2:30 to 6:30 

Haft a Knife and Make a Birch Bark Sheath
Adults
Friday, March 20, 2020
9:30 to 5:30

Learn To Carve A Spoon Out of Green Birch
(Treen)
Adults
Saturday, March 21, 2020
9:30 to 5:30
​   
​Registration details:  Call Lee Valley  250-448-1199​
​
        Osoyoos, BC           

Woodcarving For Kids
Kids 9 and older​
December 4, 5, & 6
2:45 to 4:45

Woodcarving for Adults
December 4, 5, & 6
5:30 to 8:30

​Registration details: Sarah Dynneson, City of Osoyoos, 250-495-4623
Lake Country, BC                                                  George Elliott School


Woodcarving For Kids
​Kids 9 and older
November 26, 27, & 28
After school

Woodcarving For Adults
November 26 &  27
​evenings

Knife Sharpening For Adults
November 28
​evenings

Registration details:  call Sheila Gunn
District of Lake Country
Community Program Coordinator
(250) 766-5650
​​
Summerland, BC                                                           Arts Centre

Summer Fun With A Pocketknife
Kids 9 and older
TBA
9:00 to 11:30 
or
​1:00 to 3:30

Registration details:  Summerland Arts Gallery
(250) 494-4494
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Vancouver, BC     Lee Valley Tools     1180 SE Marine Dr. 

Bushcraft: 
Haft A Knife and Make a Birch Bark Sheath
Adults
Thursday and Friday, November 14 and 15
11:00 to 3:00

Carve A Wooden Character-Head Walking Stick
Adults
Saturday November 16
9:30 to 4:30

Make a Sloyd Knife and Wooden Sheath
Adults
Friday & Saturday, January 31 & February 1

Customize A Whittling Pocket Knife
Adults
Friday, March 6, 2020

Kids Learn to Whittle 
Kids ages 9 and up
Saturday morning, March 7, 2020

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​Registration details:  Call Lee Valley (604) 261-2262