Episode 256 - Ava Foster

Crafting a Revolution

Ava Foster grew up in rural Manitoba and started carving when she got her first jackknife sometime before the age of 10. Two of the first things she can remember carving were a candle stick with a flame on top and a shrew sized canoe that she later sent down the brook at her aunt’s farm.

Ava has carved on and off since then but only started pursuing it more seriously in late 2017 when she wanted to produce wares for a market and the power supply at her shop was failing on a regular basis. She decided it was best to rely mostly on hand tools instead of the machines.

She started creating and selling spoons because they are a simple, practical product for the public. When Ava began to hear people saying the spoons and carved serving boards were too nice to use, she saw the potential to take more creative risks in her work.

Ava continues to learn, growing both her mental and physical carving toolbox. 2020 marked the shift of her carving turning fully into an art form.

You can find Ava’s work on her Website and Instagram.