Whisk Broom 101 with Mark Smith

Class participants will have sufficient material available to produce two- three whisk brooms, and at least one with a plaited handle. You'll learn to use a foot brake (spool of twine), wrapping techniques and knotting techniques. All equipment and tools will also be provided. A few variations of traditional Appalachian designs will be demonstrated.

The whisk brooms featured in this short class will be made of colored nylon twine and processed broomcorn or hurl. Broomcorn is a traditional material identical to that produced as a commodity crop in the Midwest in the late 19th century as raw material for the then thriving cottage industry of broom making. Colored nylon twine is used in tying the broomcorn and attaching it to the handle or just cinching the processed broomcorn when making smaller whisk brooms. Broomcorn stalks are often cut, split, and soaked to make them pliable, and they are then woven or plaited to produce a fancy handle for the whisk.

The broom maker's craft is an old one and it is not too common these days, but the joy of assembling a novel creation after sitting down with some string, a stick and a bit of broomcorn is enough to keep anyone going through even the coldest Minnesota winters. It’s just more fun to sweep up a mess or clean up a corner if the tools you are using have character and charm. Come out and learn the basics of this traditional craft.

11 am - 4pm with a lunch break included. Lunch will not be provided, so please plan accordingly.

$45 for Crossing Arts Members

$50 for Non-Members

Ages 16+ Sharp tools will be used in this class.

You may also like the following events from The Crossing Arts Alliance:

• This Saturday, 21st February, 11:00 am, The Art of Micromosaics with Kathy Sanders in Brainerd
• Next Thursday, 26th February, 05:00 pm, Pet Portrait Workshop, Learning to Draw Dogs with Amber Maki in Crosby
• Next month, 7th March, 10:00 am, Berry Picking Basket Workshop with Shannon Lucas-Westrum in Brainerd

Also check out other Workshops in Brainerd, Arts events in Brainerd.