Woodfest Workshops & Market

Get ready for a weekend full of woodcraft, creativity, and community spirit – with 15+ hands-on workshops for all ages and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned maker or just love trying something new, there’s something for everyone!

Most workshops are beginner-friendly with some requiring prior experience (e.g., Kuksa carving). Options are available for both kids and adults, blending traditional techniques, cultural skills, and creative woodcraft.

There will also be gourmet food & Barista coffee available, live music both days and an array of exciting and diverse local exhibitors and market stalls.

This year, they're proud to be a part of Sydney Craft Week – a 10-day celebration of craft in all its forms across Greater Sydney. Come and experience the joy of making, learning, and connecting with the craft community.

Event details:

• Bulli Showground, Princes Highway, Bulli
• Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October (9am - 5pm both days)
• Open 9am – 5pm daily
• Entry: Gold Coin Donation per person

Workshop highlights include:

Woodcarving & Spoonmaking

• Decorate Your Spoon – Learn chip carving, kolrosing (wood tattooing), and decorative techniques.
• Axe Out a Spoon Blank – Split, chop, and shape a log into a spoon blank.
• Carve a Butter Spreader – Use safe knife grips with a slöjd knife & hook knife.
• Carve a Kuksa Cup (IWWS) – Create a traditional Sámi wooden cup (for those with carving experience).
• Carve a Bowl (IWWS) – Beginner-friendly bowl carving session.
• Carve a Small Bird or Person – Minimal tools, simple techniques for character carving.

Kids’ Workshops

• Bush Magic – Whittling wooden treasures like swords or nature-inspired creations.
• Carve a Comfort Bird (Joy of Wood) – Smooth wooden bird to ease anxiety.
• Introduction to Whittling Skills (Joy of Wood) – Learn safe knife use & carve a butter knife.
• Carve Birds & Animals (Joy of Wood) – Choose from blanks (duck, wombat, pig, goose, etc.) and carve 3D animals.

Basketry & Fibre Arts

• Random Weave Sculpture or Bowl – Weave with Bangalow Palm to make a basket or wall piece (Catriona Pollard).
• Foraged Wreath Workshop – Craft a seasonal wreath from gathered native plants & wildflowers (Catriona Pollard).

Decorative Wood Arts

• Kumiko (IWWS) – Japanese nail-free joinery with precision tools.
• Pyrography (Styro Pyrography) – “Writing with fire” woodburning designs.

Woodturning & Furniture

• Woodturn a Small Bowl – Fundamentals of woodturning with Michael & Tony.
• Build a 3-Legged Stool – Make a simple stool with reclaimed wood and hand tools.

Cultural Workshops

• Spear, Boomerang & Clap Sticks (Nura Gunyu) – Guided by Budawang Elder Noel Butler & Trish Butler, learning Aboriginal tools and culture.