Brooms and Botanicals: Artisanal Broom Workshop

Join us for a 3-hour, hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the art of traditional broom craft and create beautiful, functional tools for everyday use. This class is perfect for complete beginners and for returning makers who want to deepen their skills, explore new techniques, and build confidence working with natural broom-making materials.

During this session, you’ll learn about the history, materials, and stitching methods used in traditional handmade brooms. With guided instruction and plenty of room for creativity, you’ll craft a custom hand broom, plus two additional small tools — a pot scrubber/cake tester and a mini whisk. These versatile, beautifully useful pieces are perfect for kitchen tasks, household care, and display.

Please Note: Broom making is a slightly physical craft. Students will need the ability to maintain tension of approximately 30–40 pounds while tying their brooms. We’ll walk you through each step, and the pace will be relaxed and supportive, but this tension is necessary to ensure your broom is strong and lasting.

All materials are provided, and each broom will be designed to reflect both aesthetic beauty and everyday function. You’ll leave with three handmade tools and the knowledge to continue broom making on your own.

This workshop will be held in an intimate class setting at my beautiful new studio and workshop space in Portland, Oregon — just a short walk from the Willamette River, near Sellwood in Johns Landing. Enjoy a welcoming, creative environment where tradition, craftsmanship, and personal expression come together.

Come learn, make, and sweep something into existence!

What to Bring:

Comfortable clothing you can move in

Closed-toe shoes (recommended for stability and safety)

A water bottle — staying hydrated helps with tension work

Optional: Your favorite knife or personal hand tool that might be helpful for broom making

Optional: Keepsakes or botanicals (such as dried flowers, herbs, charms, or meaningful materials) to incorporate into your broom design

Optional: Notebook or sketchbook if you’d like to take notes or draw designs

Optional: Snacks for a little energy boost during the workshop

Parking:

There is limited parking at the studio for 7-8 vehicles. If all spots are taken the ONLY street to park on other than the two spots on the street above the studio on Laview Drive, is on Virginia Ave. Unfortunatly you can't take a left off of Taylors Ferry Road to access Virginia Ave. You need to take a left on Macadam, left on Nevada and left on Virgina Ave.

Laview Drive is not a through street and the parking is very tricky.