What happens in a workshop- and why it's never just about carving

jaksart75
Nov 28
3 min read

People often arrive at my workshops thinking they’re coming to carve a sculpture — a Gonk, an elephant, a Green Man, a quirky little creature with bags of personality. And yes, they absolutely do carve one.

But what unfolds in the room… is always so much more than just the sculpture.

Because carving might be the reason people walk through the door —but the experience they take home is far bigger, softer, deeper and far more human.

two women getting to know each other at a carving workshop, feeling relaxed and happy

The First Few Minutes: Nervous Hands, Curious Eyes

When people first arrive, there’s often a flutter of nerves. They pick up the tools gently. They look at the block of “stone” like it might judge them. Someone usually whispers, “I’m not very artistic” or “Mine will look awful.”

And then… something shifts.

The moment the rasp touches the surface and that soft crumble of dust appears, people relax. Shoulders drop. Conversations start. Curiosity wins over fear.

They realise:

“Oh. I can do this.”

It’s one of my favourite moments — watching someone’s confidence appear almost in real time.

two people at a soulful stone carving workshop, talking freely and openly

The Magic of Hands Being Busy

There is something incredibly liberating about making something with your hands. You’re focused, but not pressured. Engaged, but not stressed. Present, without trying to be present.

And when hands are busy? Minds open.

This is when the real conversations begin — the deep ones, the funny ones, the unexpectedly honest ones. People talk more freely because the attention isn’t fully on them; the carving creates a comfortable space where openness feels natural.

Topics wander from holidays to heartbreak, from pets to plans, from silly stories to serious reflections. It’s amazing how much people share without even realising they’re sharing.

And it’s often the person rasping the hardest who says the most profound thing!

Two women laugh while carving stone elephant sculptures at a table. a relaxed, happy mood.

Collaboration Without Trying

Workshops create a gentle, accidental community. People swap tips. They admire each other’s progress. They lift each other up when a trunk goes slightly wonky or an ear tries to escape.

The joy isn’t just in creating —it’s in creating together.

Someone will gasp, “Oh that’s lovely!” to a person they met 25 minutes ago. Someone else will laugh and say, “Mine looks like it’s been out partying all night.”

And suddenly the room feels warm, safe and full of camaraderie.

It’s a tiny creative family for the afternoon.

The Slow Reveal: Watching a Sculpture Emerge

There’s a moment where the whole room goes quiet — that deep, absorbed concentration where everyone is completely in flow.

Faces soften. Breath slows. Time feels different.

This is when the sculptures really start to show themselves — the belly, the ears, the eyes, the shape of the character. People see the potential in their piece and their whole posture changes. There’s pride. Wonder. A quiet, private joy.

I often see someone smile at their sculpture when they think no one is looking.

That, to me, is pure magic.

Three people carving stone elephants, smiling in a sunlit room with wooden windows. Light and cheerful atmosphere.

Why the Conversations Matter Just as Much as the Carving

Carving is tactile, grounding, rhythmic — almost meditative. This creates a space where people feel freer to talk, to think aloud, to be real.

I’ve watched friendships form over rasps and cups of tea. I’ve seen people open up about challenges they’re facing. I’ve heard roaring laughter that fills the whole workshop. And I’ve seen people quietly relax for the first time in weeks.

The sculpture is the keepsake…but the connection is the thing that stays with people.

Leaving With More Than a Sculpture

At the end of the workshop, there’s always a lovely sense of achievement as everyone stands back and looks at what they’ve created. You can see it on their faces — a mixture of surprise, pride, and “I actually made that.”

But they also leave with:

A calmer mind
A sense of belonging
A burst of creative energy
A memory of laughter and shared moments
A feeling of “I want to do this again”

And that is why these workshops matter. Because carving is the gateway — but connection, confidence, and creativity are the real treasures people carry home.