Join broommaker C. Murphy to make your own agave fiber handbroom, useful for a variety of tasks but especially handy for sweeping up dried leaves and other debris around plants and soil during repotting. Agave fiber, also known as tampico or ixtle, is a fine and resilient fiber that’s bendy but firm when bundled together, allowing the fine bristles to sweep up fine dirt and dust. It’s known for being water, salt, and acid resistant – meaning you can wash the bristles of your broom when necessary.
In this class, we’ll go over basic broommaking techniques including using a basic broom brake, tensioning and winding twine around bundles of fiber to create a small hen’s wing whisk, perfect for many a small task and a great introduction to broommaking. Ticket price includes enough agave fiber to make one small hen’s wing, polished cotton or nylon twine, and reclaimed leather and ribbon for hangers.
Extra materials and tools available for purchase to bring home and make more as gifts! This doesn’t take much physical strength, and most work will be done sitting; it just requires a little bit of finger dexterity and ability to grip for long periods of time as we wind material into the broom under tension.
The instructor will be masked, masks will be provided and encouraged during class, and there will also be water and herbal tea available. Please feel welcome to reach out on instagram (@c.murphydoes ) or via email (c.murphydoes@gmail.com ) with any questions.
Location - Note this workshop is upstairs. We apologize for any inconvenience if stairs are not accessible for you.
C.Murphy is an artist, craftsperson, and farmer (in no particular order) who's preoccupied with the relationships we have with the beings and objects in our lives, the materials they're made of, and the histories and traditions that brought them here. They do this through a variety of mediums, including but not limited to broommaking, natural dye, alternative photography processes, woodworking, blacksmithing, and fiber arts.
