Half-Day Introduction | £50 | All materials included

Want to know more?

What you’ll make

A simple Celtic knot carved into Maltese limestone using the traditional V-cut technique. The design is pre-marked on the stone so you can start carving almost immediately rather than spending time on layout.

The piece is thinner than the full-day course stone (9x9x2 inches rather than 3 inches thick), which means you’ll finish it in the time available. You’ll take home a completed carving that shows clean lines and shadow created by your own work.

What you’ll learn

The essential V-cut technique that underpins much of stone carving. How to hold the tools, how to strike, how to guide the chisel so the stone responds rather than resists.

You’ll find that strength matters less than rhythm and patience. Even in three hours you’ll begin to see crisp lines emerging from the surface, and you’ll understand why stone carving has been done this way for centuries – because it works.

This is enough to know whether stone carving interests you before committing to a full day, or it works as a standalone experience if three hours is all you want.

Materials & tools

Everything’s provided: Maltese limestone with design pre-marked, full tool set (mallet, chisels, rasps), safety equipment, dust masks. You’ll work at a dedicated carving station with proper lighting and ventilation.

Your finished Celtic knot goes home with you at the end of the session.

Schedule

10am – 1pm or 2pm – 5pm

Three hours with a short tea and coffee break midway through. No lunch break needed for a session this length – The Secret Cafe is next door if you want something before or after.

Sessions are run on demand rather than scheduled regularly. Contact me to arrange a time that works for both of us – I’ll fit it around my schedule and your preference for morning or afternoon.

Who this is for

Anyone curious about stone carving but not ready to commit a full day. Also suitable if you just want a short, focused experience rather than a longer course.

If you’re considering the foundation or intermediate course but want to try it first, this is a good way to find out whether it suits you. Or if three hours is all you want, that’s fine too.

No previous experience needed. If you can use a hammer, you can carve stone.

Practical details

Location: The Stone Man Workshop, Luddendenfoot, Halifax, HX2 6EQ. Free parking on site.

What to wear: Clothes that can get dusty (they will), closed-toe shoes. Long hair tied back. In winter, wear warm layers – this is a working studio with limited heating and a large up-and-over door, so it gets cold.

What to bring: Nothing needed – session is too short to need lunch, and tea/coffee provided.

Group size: Maximum 6 people, which means individual attention when you need it.

Ready to try stone carving?

Sessions are arranged on demand – contact me to discuss timing.

Morning (10am – 1pm) or afternoon (2pm – 5pm)? Let me know your preference and I’ll check availability.

Gift vouchers can be used for half-day sessions – mention this when you contact me.