How Spoons Are Made

All of our spoons are carved out of the local, naturally hard woods that are native to the humid flatlands of Peten.  The region , known for its rainforests and natural habit, is home to thousands of unique plant and animal life, that we, as community members, seek to protect.  
The woods used for our spoons, primarily of Jobillo, Cericote, Manchiche, and Chicozapte, are all purchased by a certified wood source, which means that special efforts are made to preserve local forests and natural tree growth.

Once the wood is in our hands, the first step begins with drawing the proper shape and size on the piece of wood and curving out the indented parts on the spoons.  Then, with machetes we carve out the spoons into the basic shape.  Afterwards, we begin with the wood chisels, files, and sandpaper to fine tune the details. 
In Petén, most of the Spoonmakers live in rural villages one or two hours away from the city. Many do not have electricity in their communities, so power tools are not an option. The average spoon takes half a day to a full day to make depending on who's making it and the level of experience and expertise.

 The work begins with the machete, cutting a rough piece and wood into the the size and form of a spoon. Then, the piece is combed or filed down, giving it shape and style. The sanding, possibly the most tedious part, gives the piece the smooth texture.  Finally, when the spoon is shaped and finished, it is polished with wax or oil and brought to the meeting. 
The groups are always trying to perfect and develop new styles and designs for their products.  Some of the most recent designs include the pancake flipper, rolling pin, and the tongs.