Upcoming Workshops
Classes are primarily taught at Phipps Garden Center located in Shadyside, a separate building from the main conservatory. Address: 1059 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Classes are managed and scheduled through Phipps. All communication related to class logistics or cancellations will be handled through their education department: edu@phipps.conservatory.org
For questions specific to each class, email me directly at hello@huskbrooms.com
All classes are adult only, and will require participants to have hand and feet flexibility/strength.
Cobweb Broom
Sun., Sept. 27, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Learn how to make a functional, long handled broom known as a Cobwebber with Tia Tumminello of Husk Brooms. In this three-hour workshop, you’ll learn traditional broom-making techniques required to create one long-handled broom. The Cobweb style broom is great for cleaning hard to reach places: ceilings, under the couch, behind furniture etc. As the name implies, the cobweb broom is great for gathering hair and small debris like cobwebs and pet areas. We’ll discuss broom care for longevity and each handle will have a hanging loop for storage. We will use craft pine dowels for handles. Welcome to paint yours afterwards!
Sold out!
Stay tuned for 2027 classes!
Thank you all so much for keeping my workshops full.
“I have taken two classes from Tia and completely enjoyed them. She is an excellent instructor and the classes are well paced. Everyone is successful and you learn a lot about broom craft. The brooms I made are used regularly and I am excited to take more classes.”
-Deb
“The cobweb broom workshop was such a fun, hands-on experience! I loved learning the art of broom making in a friendly, welcoming environment, and walking away with something both useful and beautiful. I'll definitely take another class soon.”
-Anita
“I loved the broom making course so much that I came back and brought a friend. It was friendly, helpful, and I loved what I learned. 10/10 would recommend.”
-Audrey
“I love every single class I’ve taken (I always ask for them as gifts from my husband!) and even though they all seem similar, there’s so much new to learn in each one. Tia is an amazingly patient and skilled teacher and makes the class so much fun. 10/10.”
-Jennifer
Workshop FAQs
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Comfortable clothing is ideal! A safe call is to wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet as certain broom styles work with saturated fiber.
Wear shoes and socks that are easy to remove.
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Yes. Working barefoot is encouraged and ideal because your toes can easily grip the wooden dowel we use as a foot bobbin to control how tightly wound the broom will be. The tighter its crafted the longer your broom will last :)
It’s not awkward, no one is looking at your toes! Light socks are also fine.
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Husk Brooms teaches broom making to adults 18+.
Wrist strength and toe strength is required as they are hand-tied brooms and do not have any nails or glue holding the fibers together. Unfortunately, provisions to these workshops are not currently available. Strength is required even for beginning level classes.
Broom making is consistent wrist twisting and also strengthens the forearms.
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The main fiber used in broom making is called Broomcorn, a type of sorghum.
Nylon cordage is used in Husk Brooms workshops for its strength and variety of colors.
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All materials will be provided for students, but if you wish to continue your broom making journey-here is what we use in class:
Nylon cordage is #18 La Espiga from Creative Yarn Source.
Caddy Supply offers craft broomcorn in large quantities.
Visit my shop page under supplies to order individual bundles!
