NORWEGIAN TERMITE
Woodcarving in the Scandinavian Tradition

NORWEGIAN TERMITE CLASSES

Classes

Individual tutoring or small group classes are held periodically in my workshop.

Contact me for more information.

Information on our next class below...

Burnsville Carving Club

​Open Carving

Thursdays 6 pm - 9 pm

First-timers - no charge. A free wood blank and loan of a carving knife will be provided

Lower level of Diamondhead Education Center,
200 Burnsville Pkwy Suite #1023, Burnsville, MN 55337

Beginning Decorative Wood Carving

Creating Beauty in Wood

Discover the art of decorative carving in this hands-on class with master woodcarver Jock Holmen, affectionately known as “The Norwegian Termite.” Learn carving techniques that you can take home and use to transform ordinary wooden bowls and plates into works of art.

In class, you will receive a wooden blank on which you will carve different decorative strokes. This will serve as a reference for your future carving projects. Jock will also discuss the properties of different types of wood and how best to approach decorating them.

If you have taken this class before, bring your wooden sampler and add to your visual vocabulary of woodcuts. You are welcome bring any works-in-progress or buy a blank plate from Jock for $5 to $15. You will have a variety of transfer designs from which to choose.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ How to properly hold and use a carving knife.
✔️ How to create a sampler of carving strokes to keep for reference.
✔️ How to use different techniques for various types of cuts and working with wood grain.
✔️ How to identify different types of wood and the best approach to decorating them.

Registration

General Registration: $35
Norway House Members: $30

Materials Fee

There is a $5 materials fee, paid directly to the teacher. Everything you need will be supplied in class, including safety gloves.

Please Note: All registrations for Norway House classes and programs are final. If you are unable to attend a please, you are welcome to transfer your registration to another person.

Questions: Contact the program coordinator at classes@norwayhouse.org.

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today and bring your creativity to life!

Aug 2, 2025

Saturday, August 2, 2025
10:30 AM

Norway House
913 East Franklin Avenue, Mpls MN

More info & Registration:

Wooden Sign Lettering

Course Overview

Personalize any place by creating a hand-carved wooden sign. Woodcarver Jock Holmen will teach the entire sign-making process, from proper design to layout, letter and incise carving, painting, and finishing options while students work on a personal project. Whether it will hang at the cabin, the garden, a business, or bedroom, a handcrafted sign is a great addition.

Instruction will include both incised and raised letters, focusing on design, layout and carving.

Finishing options will be discussed so that students will leave with a clear idea of how to paint and complete their carved sign.

The instructor will contact students ahead of time to discuss their projects; there may be limitations due to time and materials.

Approximate project size, 30” x 8”.

Materials fee: $25 for basswood or bring your own.

Students are requested to bring two examples of letter styles they like to class.  A printout with upper case letters approximately 3” tall and lower case approximately 2” tall would be helpful.

Suggested Tools

• Chip carving knife or similar
• V-gouges in any size; recommend  #12-10mm V gouge; #2-8mm gouge ; #5-16mm gouge
• Instructor will have tools available for use during class.

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today and bring your creativity to life!

Aug 22 - 24, 2025

Location:
Milan Village Arts School, Milan, MN

Dates: August 22-24, 2025

For more information or to register:
https://milanvillageartsschool.org/

or call 320-734-4807