Date: Thursday, October 8 Time: 6–8pm Instructor: Johanna Buchart Smith Ages: 16+ Experience Level: Beginner friendly Class Size: Limited to 8 participants Location: Handcraft Revival, 1365 S 1100 E, Salt Lake City
As autumn settles in and All Hallows’ Eve draws near, join us for an evening devoted to the old craft of broom making.
Using natural broomcorn and a wooden handle, participants will create a full-size cobweb broom—a traditional household tool made for sweeping ceiling corners, rafters, porches, and other hard-to-reach spaces. These long, narrow brooms are both useful and full of character, particularly fitting for the darker, folklore-filled days of October.
The instructor will guide participants through arranging, binding, and securing broomcorn around the handle while sharing a little of the history, symbolism, and folklore that have long surrounded handmade brooms.
No previous experience is necessary. Broom making involves pulling and tightly wrapping cord, so moderate hand strength is recommended.
What You’ll Learn
How to prepare and arrange broomcorn
Traditional binding and wrapping techniques
How to securely attach broomcorn to a wooden handle
How to shape and finish a full-size cobweb broom
Some of the history, symbolism, and folklore surrounding handmade brooms
Class Details
Date: Thursday, October 8
Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
Ages: Adults and teens ages 14+
Experience: Beginner-friendly
Class size: Limited to 8 participants
Includes: Broomcorn, a natural wooden handle, binding materials, shared tools, and instruction
Finished project: One full-size, functional cobweb broom
What to wear: Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes; broomcorn can be a little scratchy
Because we will be working with natural materials, the shape and appearance of each finished broom will vary.
Bringing Your Own Handle
A natural wooden broom handle is included, but participants are welcome to bring a branch or handle of their own.
Choose something dry, sturdy, relatively straight, and approximately the length of a standard broom handle. A branch with a little natural character is welcome. The instructor will confirm that it is suitable before construction begins.
Parking
We have 4 spots directly behind our building in the ally way. Please don't park beyond our building back there. Street parking is available along 1100 East and throughout the surrounding neighborhood. Please be considerate of our neighbors and avoid blocking driveways.
Cancellations
Because individual materials are prepared in advance and class availability is limited, registrations are nonrefundable. If you need to cancel, please contact Handcraft Revival at least one week before the class to receive store credit. Within one week of the class, registrations may be transferred to another person but are not eligible for store credit.
Photography
Photos and short video clips may be taken during class for Handcraft Revival’s social media and marketing. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let us know when you arrive. We are happy to accommodate your preference.
