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Two hands are pulling a Japanese hand plane across a chopstick stock on a wooden jig. The jig is set on a grey table top. All across the table are other wooden jig compenents, wood shavings, pencils, and a wooden mallet.

Chopstick Making

Make Your Own Chopsticks: A Taste of Woodworking is a unique, hands-on woodcrafting experience where participants are taught how to safely use a Japanese hand plane and guided through the chopstick shaping process with custom designed, hand built wooden jigs and fixtures.

 

​Through stories of dining cultures from different countries, this workshop explores the chopstick design process in a way that stimulates deeper cultural understanding and illustrates how a simple utensil can actually act as a manifestation tool towards cultivating community and connection.​ Participants are encouraged to reflect inward as they customize and shape their chopsticks to better align with the lifestyle they wish to embody moving forward.

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Three workshop participants are at a table planing their chopsticks, and Ali the instructor is standing at the edge of the table smiling as she watches the participants.

KEY FEATURES

  • ​Workshops typically last between three to four hours

  • All tools and materials provided

  • No prior woodworking experience needed

  • Accessible to those with visual impairments

  • Max. 12 participants per session (multiple sessions can be arranged for larger groups)

  • Ages 13+ only

A participant is wearing gloves and applying butcher block conditioner to a rag so they can apply finish onto their chopsticks. The participant has short black hair and is wearing a grey zip up jacket.

location

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The workshop can be hosted at your venue (as we coordinate I can visit your site to confirm compatibility), or I can work with you to secure an alternate venue. I’m based in Los Angeles (Koreatown) but may be open to traveling depending on distance and capacity.

Workshop Facilitation Fee

Rates vary based on participant count, group structure (single/multiple sessions), and selected add-ons. All tools and materials are provided and prepared by me, which is reflected in the rate. Once you submit the inquiry form below, I’ll respond with a personalized quote.

A Japanese hand plane in a white oak body is sitting in a wooden holder made of sapele. Both are sitting on top of a grey table top, with sunlight shining down on it from the upper left corner. In the back are more wooden jig components.

QUESTIONS?

Three people are gathered around a rectangular, grey table outdoors and each have a set of chopstick making jigs in front of them. They are all in the middle of hand planing their chopstick stock. The person on the left most side has black hair pinned up in a claw clip, and is wearing a black t-shirt with colorful graphics and grey sweat pants. The person in the middle has dark blonde hair half tied up in a bun, and is wearing a light and dark blue button up shirt and jeans. The person on the right most side has a ginger buzz cut and tattoos on both arms, and is wearing glasses, a white t-shirt, and black jeans.

Email me at ali@alichenstudio.com. Thank you!​

Two participants share a set of jigs and are shaping their chopsticks together. The participant on the right is planing their stock, while the participant on the left is sitting next to them watching. Both participants have long black hair, and the one on the left is wearing a grey t-shirt while the one on the right is wearing a black t-shirt.
CALENDAR

CALENDAR

Check out when I'll be hosting my next workshop! 

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BOOK A WORKSHOP

The instructor Ali is hand planing their chopsticks on a chopstick making jig clamped to a grey table top. Ali has black hair and is wearing a black t-shirt with colorful graphics on it. All across the table are more wooden jig components.
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Whether you’re looking to book an exclusive private workshop, an elevated team bonding experience, or a public workshop offering for your community, there’s something for everyone.
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My availability is open for 2026 dates.
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If you’re interested in booking a workshop with me, please submit an inquiry below and I will reach out to you with more information regarding customization, availability, and pricing.

Please double check your email address so I can be sure to reach you.

What inspired you to book a chopstick-making workshop?

To help me get a sense of your goals and vision, please share as much or as little detail as you’d like. Your thoughts will help me tailor the experience to your group.

BOOKINGS

Chopstick

care & maintenance

Chopsticks are to be hand washed only, with cold water and soap. Please do NOT place your hand crafted chopsticks into the dish washer, as they will warp.

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Please avoid soaking the chopsticks in any liquids.

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After some use, chopsticks will begin to show signs of wear (dry, dull, rough) and will require maintenance in order to look good as new. Below are maintenance instructions based on the available finish options from the workshop:

A 12 oz. bottle of Howard Butcher Block Conditioner is sitting atop a grey table top, with sunlight shining down on it from the left. Wooden jigs are in the background.

Butcher Block Conditioner

This is a blend of beeswax, Brazilian carnauba wax, and food grade mineral oil. It provides slight water resistance.

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Upon signs of wear, you can:

  • Shake the mixture to ensure contents are mixed.

  • Squeeze a small amount onto a rag and wipe the conditioner onto chopsticks.

  • Allow the conditioner to soak in for a bit (up to 30 minutes recommended but could be sooner) before wiping off with a clean rag until the wood feels dry to the touch.

  • The longer you allow the finish to soak in, the deeper the finish will penetrate the wood.

food grade

mineral oil

Food grade mineral oil is vegan as it doesn't contain beeswax. It is non-toxic and food safe despite being derived from petroleum because it's been refined to remove harmful compounds.

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Upon signs of wear, you can:

  • Either rub the oil onto the chopsticks with a small cloth, or submerge your chopsticks into a food grade mineral oil bath (up to 20 minutes recommended but could be sooner).

  • Wait a few minutes and then wipe off oil using a clean cloth, until wood feels dry to the touch.

  • The longer you submerge your chopsticks in the oil, the deeper the finish will penetrate the wood.

A 64 oz. jug of Thirteen Chefs Food Grade Mineral Oil is sitting atop a grey table top, with sunlight shining down on it from the left. Wooden jigs are in the background.
Three sticks of wood are sitting atop a grey table top, with sunlight shining down on it from the left. The wood types are walnut which has a dark brown tone, cherry which has a medium brown, slightly pinkish tone, and hard maple which has a very light, pale beige tone.

unfinished

Wood is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial, and technically does not require a finish application.

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Upon signs of wear, you can:

  • Lightly re-sand the chopsticks until they're smooth again.

  • Go from 180 grit to 220 grit to 320 grit.

  • If you want your eating tip to grip your food better, you can sand just the eating tip with 180 grit or lower (100 grit, 80 grit) and not go any higher in grit. The lower the grit the better the grip.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE
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