21 - 22 FEBRUARY
2026
SPOONCARVING FOR BEGINNERS
WITH ANA GOMES & SÍLVIO SOARES
In this Spooncarving for Beginners workshop, participants will make their own wooden spoons by hand, as well as other items, under the guidance of Ana and Silvio. It is an introduction to the art and techniques of carving green wood and creating useful objects that combine beauty and functionality, always valuing the natural material as the key element in the creative process.
Cerdeira offers the perfect environment to work with wood and enjoy the surrounding nature over two days! We will begin with a walk through the village to know and identify the trees most suitable for carving, and collect this material to work on in the studio. You’ll learn about carving techniques, hand tools used, and the different properties and possibilities of the available woods.
Additionally, various decoration techniques (kolrosing, chip carving, painting, and baking), finishing options, and care for wooden objects will also be shared.
Ana Gomes
From a small village near Mafra, Ana discovered wood through her grandfather in his carpentry workshop, a place that fascinated her. When she carved her first spoon in 2018, Ana felt like she was coming home.
Self-taught, she learned by trial and error but also developed her knowledge by participating in international spoon-carving festivals and workshops with other artisans. Today, Ana shares the joy of her work in different ways, whether selling her creations, supplying prepared wood for others to spoon carve, or running workshops.
Sílvio Soares
Sílvio was one of the first guests visiting Cerdeira, remembering the village still in ruins. Captivated by Serra da Lousã and this creative corner, Sílvio is now part of our family! In addition to his assistance with our courses with Peter Lanyon, his experience has also been built as an instructor in the Escola do Mato project in Sesimbra. Characterized by his friendliness and generosity, Sílvio will inspire us with his passion for wood, teaching us how to make wooden spoons and how to respect this noble material and work with it safely.
Ana and Silvio are both instructors in the Escola do Mato project.
Workshop DETAILS
SCHEDULE:
21st and 22nd February: The course runs from 10 am to 6 pm, with a two-hour lunch break.
Participants are welcome to check in the day before the course starts and check out the day after it ends.
Want to know more? Ask us for the daily full program at artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com
CONDITIONS:
Deadline for enrollment: January 21st, 2026.
A special discount for members of our community is available for early bird registrations by October 14, 2025.
THE COURSE FEE INCLUDES:
Integration in a small group of participants;
Training 5-6 hours a day, speaking in English and Portuguese;
Lunch during the course;
Free accommodation at the hostel during the course (3 nights)*;
All the materials needed for the course.
*The hostel is equipped with two dormitories (female/masculine), a kitchen, and two shared bathrooms. The booking includes towels and linen.
ACCOMMODATION UPGRADES AVAILABLE:
Upgrade to 3 nights in a standard schist house shared by 2 participants and breakfast at an additional cost of 210€/per participant. Includes shared room, equipped kitchen, towels, and bed linen.
Upgrade to 3 nights in a standard schist house for single occupancy by 1 participant and breakfast, with an additional cost of 300€/per participant. Includes single room, equipped kitchen, towels, and bed linen.
Please note that all accommodation options have limited availability and will be booked according to the order of registration and payment. This rate is not cumulative with other discounts or promotions. For more information, contact artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com.
MORE INFO:
artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com
+351 913 989 281*
*(call to national mobile network)
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
You may withdraw within 14 days of registration, paying the correspondent transfer fees. Following the EU consumer protection legislation, payments are not refunded past 14 days of registration. The payment will be fully reimbursed if the training cannot be held because of insufficient students.
Suppose the training is canceled by Cerdeira - Home For Creativity for reasons of significant force such as a pandemic, civil disorder, a natural catastrophe, medical or family issues of the teacher, and others beyond our control. In that case, Cerdeira will offer a voucher for a different workshop of your choice. The voucher is valid for two years.
PAYMENT INSTALLMENT OPTIONS
You can pay for the course in up to 5 monthly installments, depending on the course. Payments are automatically deducted from your chosen payment method starting from the date you submit your registration form. Please be aware that additional costs for this service apply, depending on the selected installment plan. At checkout, after selecting your preferred option, make sure to review the total amount to be paid before completing your registration. Please note that if installment payments are not fulfilled within the established timeframe, your registration will be canceled without a refund of the amounts already paid.
If you have any questions, contact us at artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com.
GALLERY
