🥈🧹 A Fair Ribbon, a Better Book & Something Stirring in the Workshop 📖✨
Apparently, I can pack quite a lot into eight days 🤓
Since my last blog update there has been a county fair ribbon, a new broom-weaving guide, custom brooms taking shape, a much better printing of The Broommaker’s Grimoire and something rather curious beginning behind the scenes
She Took Second Place! 🥈🧹
Let’s begin with the biggest news…
My broom took second place at the Franklin County Fair!
The fair rules required every part of the entry to be my own work, so I kept her free of purchased charms and embellishments. Every bit of broomcorn was hand-dyed by me, and the broom was constructed and woven entirely in my workshop.
There is something incredibly special about seeing a traditional handmade broom displayed among the other county fair entries…and even more special about bringing home a ribbon for her
I am so proud of this broom and everything she represents: old skills kept alive, hours spent at the foot brake and a craft that continues to teach me something every single time I pick up a bundle of broomcorn
Second place feels pretty wonderful 💜
The Broommaker’s Grimoire Has a New Home 📖
My coloring book, The Broommaker’s Grimoire: 30 Enchanted Brooms to Color, is now available directly through IngramSpark
After seeing the Spark-printed edition in person, the difference was clear…the printing is sharper and the overall quality is simply better. Because I want you to receive the loveliest version of the book, the direct IngramSpark edition will now be the one I promote most often.
It is also available for $19.99, which is two dollars less than the Amazon edition
Inside are 30 detailed coloring pages created from real brooms that were handmade in my Blue Ridge Mountain workshop. Some of those brooms have already flown off to their permanent homes, so the book has become a wonderfully unexpected way of keeping a little record of them.
You can order the better-quality Spark edition directly here:
https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=GyrzdBOK4KnAeYajZJWj9bZPQGAObqjJDeIvdGsy9N3
Amazon will remain available for anyone who prefers shopping there, but the Spark edition is officially my favorite 💜
A Little Help for Beginning Broommakers
I have also created a new printable resource for anyone beginning to explore broom weaving:
The Broom Cap Spell + 10 Simple Patterns
This 3-page, printable guide includes an easy way to understand how reed count affects a pattern, along with ten simple twills to try. It was made to be something you can keep nearby while you work…quick, uncomplicated and easy to reference without digging through pages of instructions!
The instant digital download is available for $9
Teaching broommaking has become such a meaningful extension of the work I already do. I remember how confusing twill patterns appeared in the beginning, and I wanted to create the kind of reference I would have loved having beside my own foot brake!!!!!
Custom Brooms Are Taking Shape
The workshop is also busy with some very special commissions
Thankfully I have a fresh collection of wonderfully crooked hardwoods and fractal-burned handles to choose from, and I cannot wait to see who o
I sometimes love customs…especially the ones with a story already waiting for the broom before I ever make the first stitch
Something Curious Is Gathering…🤫
There is one more thing happening in the workshop, but I’m keeping this one tucked beneath my witch’s hat for a little while longer
I’ve been exploring an old Appalachian folk craft that feels wonderfully at home beside my brooms. It has history, peculiar little faces and considerably more personality than I expected
I’m not quite ready to introduce everyone yet, but let’s simply say…
A curious little gathering is underway 🍎
More soon
September in the Workshop
The next few weeks will be full of custom orders, new brooms and preparations for fall events…
Autumn is always a magical time in the broom shop, but this year feels especially full! There are familiar broommaking traditions continuing, new ways to help beginning makers and a few unexpected characters quietly taking shape behind the scenes
Thank you for continuing to follow along, cheer for my brooms and celebrate these strange, wonderful workshop adventures with me
Apparently, the broomstick still has plenty of places left to fly 💜🧹