Johnston Community Education

Course Description

Create your own rustic cobwebber besom just in time for Halloween! Traditionally used by Appalachian settlers to sweep cobwebs from high ceilings, this whimsical broom features an untrimmed broomcorn head that easily reaches into corners while making a charming seasonal decoration for your front porch or home. Students will learn traditional broom-making techniques as they hand-tie natural broomcorn onto a 24-inch hardwood handle, create a decorative plaited handle, and hand-stitch the broom using black cord. No experience is necessary, and everyone will leave with a beautiful, functional broom measuring approximately 48 inches long (dependent on broomcorn length).

Logistics

• All materials provided
• Participants should bring 2 towels (one for materials and one for lap)

Instructor: Valerie Just

• Val Just is an Iowa artisan and owner of Just Whisk Away, where she handcrafts traditional broomcorn brooms, Tampico brushes, and broom-making equipment. Passionate about preserving heritage crafts, she combines time-honored techniques with her own creative style while emphasizing craftsmanship, sustainability, and functional design. Val enjoys sharing the art of broom making with others and looks forward to introducing students to this rewarding traditional craft.

• www.justwhiskaway.com