Over the last weekend in June, I got to take a hand broom making class. I went in with no experience or expectations, just a desire to try something new. I was a few minutes late to class and the instructor had already started her demo – I started to feel the dread of ‘Oh no, I’m late and I’m already totally lost.’ The demo went on for a while and there seemed to be several folks who had already done the process. <more dread> Ugh. I got the materials ready – handfuls of corn grass, twine, a large dowel rod, scissors. Luckily the instructor was very kind, friendly, and very funny. She helped me get started and I actually got the hang of it! I think it’s very similar to a weaving or braiding process. The instructor floated around and helped all of us. Once the brooms were woven, we were instructed to cut the grass edges at an angle – like a turkey wing.
I was so relieved to not be overwhelmed – it ended up being a fun process and I had enough time to make two! The end pieces of the grasses were cut off to create cake tasters – I don’t do much baking, so those probably won’t get used. It was a great workshop!
