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.
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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.

Making Birch Bark Basket
June 9
9:30 to 4:30

Making a Whittler's Knife
June 16
​9:30 to 5:30

Making Bush Craft Tools
July 7
​9:30 to 4:30

Treen
(Carving wooden spoons & ladles out of green wood)
 July 8
10:30 to 5:30

Carving for Kids With Adults
Kids must be accompanied with an adult
TBA

​Registration details:  Call Lee Valley  250-448-1199​
​
Keremeos, BC            Grist Mill

Treen
(Carving wooden spoons & ladles out of green wood)
TBA
9:30 to 4:30

​Registration details: call the Grist Mill (250) 499-2888
Lake Country, BC                                                  George Elliott School
​
Woodcarving For Kids
TBA
 
Treen Carving for Adults
(Carving wooden spoons & ladles out of green wood)
TBA
 7:00 - 9:30

Knife Sharpening For Adults
TBA
7:00 - 9:30 

Summer Fun With A Pocketknife
Kids 9 and older
August 20 to 24

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

Summer Fun With A Pocketknife
Kids 9 and older
August 7 to 10

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

Carving Caricature Heads & Faces
June 26-27
9:30 to 4:00

Treen
(Carving wooden spoons & ladles out of green wood)
June 28
9:30 to 4:30

Character Walking Stick
June 29
9:30 - 4:30

Fan Birds
June 30
9:30 - 12:30

Kids Whittling
Introduction to wood carving for kids ages 9 and up
June 30
1:30 - 4:30

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