Make Your Own Broom With Alyssa Blackwell
In this workshop, participants will explore the beauty of broom making with a well-known master coming from the United States.
Get acquainted with broom making in this introductory workshop led by Alyssa Blackwell of Hearth Craft Brooms, where you’ll explore the possibilities of working with natural broomcorn to make your own traditional hand whisk. During this workshop Alyssa will give a brief history of broom making in the US as well as broom lore from around the world as she guides you through the techniques and nuances of making brooms by hand.
From the strongly-held belief that the objects we interact with daily should be as beautiful and unique as they are useful, Alyssa has been redefining brooms as not only tools for cleaning, later to be hidden away in the closet, but works of art to be displayed when not in use, and to be used in ritual and ceremony for energetic cleansing and movement.
Through the subtle interplay of tension, patterns, proportions, and tactile intuition, create a hand broom that will bring you joy with each use, connecting you to generations past through the intrinsically human act of sweeping.
No previous knowledge needed.
The materials below will be provided:
- natural broomcorn hurl - 1.5 kg each
- twine - 11 m each
- sharp knife
- sharp scissors
- lighter
- dowel as foot brake (~3cm diameter, ~33cm length)
Duration: 3 hours
May 12th: 10:30 a.m
Cost per person: 150 Euros
Maximum 15
About the tutor
In a dance between tradition and innovation, Alyssa Blackwell conjures magic from the commonplace, exploring the profound spiritual and practical intricacies of the humble household broom. Driven by the desire to push both herself and her craft to their limits, Alyssa embraces experimentation and creativity in her process. With hands guided by intuition, she melds mysticism and contemporary artistry into every piece, so that each broom becomes a canvas for storytelling and a conduit for joy.
When making and using handcrafted natural brooms, you are invited to tap into the energy of nature, where the act of sweeping becomes a ritual of mindful connection; where brooms are not just objects, but artifacts of everyday ceremony.
Immersed in the rich tapestry of history, Alyssa’s brooms connect us to the worlds of our ancestors, as brooms and sweeping have long been integral aspects of human life. For Alyssa, the journey of broom making transcends craftsmanship - it is a personal odyssey that led her to rebuild a connection to her surroundings and reclaim a sense of belonging while struggling through postpartum depression, new motherhood, and a shifting sense of identity.
Since she began Hearth Craft Brooms in 2019, Alyssa has taught hundreds of workshops and collaborated with numerous other artists and craftspeople to create works that redefine the idea of what a broom can be in the home. Her unique original designs have introduced new techniques to the industry, integrally changing the landscape of broom craft.
@hearthcraftbrooms
