Strumsticks
Peter Houghton
Maker, wood carver, illustrator, tinkerer, and outdoor bushcraft teacher.
Carved wood, handmade instruments, outdoor craft, illustrated books, lessons, and one-off workshop experiments.
Things Made
A growing record of things made for the joy of it.
An archive of carved, drawn, built and tinkered things.
Browse the archiveThis is a maker's diary and working archive: finished pieces, things in progress, small-batch strumsticks, carving lessons, books made with Jane Worroll, and the odd useful experiment from the workshop.
Featured work
Carving, instruments, books, and outdoor craft.
Wood carving
Oak bench bramble carving
Relief carving and detail work
Spoon carving
Useful objects shaped by hand
Green wood, knives, and quiet practice
Books & illustration
Forest School books with Jane Worroll
Illustration, activities, and outdoor playStrumsticks
Occasionally available, always one-off.
I make strumsticks in small batches when time allows. They are handmade for the pleasure of making and playing, not mass-produced, and each one has its own little character.
I currently have three available. Contact me to ask what is ready, what is coming next, or whether a commission might be possible.
Ask about available strumsticks
Lessons & outdoor craft
Knife skills, carving techniques, and relaxed outdoor learning.
I offer knife whittling lessons for adults and children, available by arrangement. Sessions can happen on Hampstead Heath or at your property, with small groups of up to six children.
Friendly and safe
Tool safety, useful habits, and calm guidance for people learning to carve.
Practical projects
Whittling, spoon carving, simple outdoor craft, and small guided makes.
Forest School roots
My teaching connects with Forest School Way and Wildgen, both run with Jane Worroll.
Books & illustration
Outdoor books made with Jane Worroll.
I have created and illustrated three Forest School books with Jane Worroll, bringing together activities, stories, drawings, seasonal outdoor play, and practical craft.
Play The Forest School Way
Woodland games, crafts, and adventurous skills for kids.
A Year of Forest School
Outdoor play and skill-building across the seasons.
Forest School Wild Play
Earth, air, fire, and water activities for wild outdoor play.
Carving videos
A few lessons from The Forest School Way.
Carve a five minute fox head
Make a slingshot from a forked branch
Carve a bushcraft walking stick
About Peter
I have always liked making things.
Carved wood, handmade instruments, drawings, tools, odd little workshop experiments, and things that help people spend time outdoors.
My work moves between wood carving, woodworking, illustration, Forest School, bushcraft, lessons, and small practical builds. This site is a record of that world: part archive, part workshop diary, and part invitation to get in touch.
Other work
A few connected projects and businesses.
Some of my making, teaching, outdoor work, and collaborations with Jane Worroll live on these other websites.
The Forest School Way
Forest School sessions, books, and outdoor activities
Run with Jane Worroll, this is home to our Forest School work, outdoor learning, family activities, and the books we have made together.
WildGenRe-naturing, young people, and practical ecology
Run by Peter Houghton and Jane Worroll, WildGen brings together nature-focused project work, school grounds, youth-led projects, and helping places become richer for wildlife.
Contact
Say hello, ask about lessons, or enquire about a strumstick.
Use the form for general messages, commissions, carving lessons, outdoor craft, or available strumsticks.
- Based in the UK
- Lessons available by arrangement
- Forest School Way and Wildgen with Jane Worroll
Good things to ask about
- Small-batch strumsticks and availability
- Wood carving, whittling, and spoon carving lessons
- Outdoor craft sessions and Forest School projects
- One-off commissions, ideas, and workshop questions
Prefer email? pete.craftingshed@gmail.com