Upcoming Workshops
Classes are primarily taught at Phipps Garden Center located in Shadyside, a separate building from the main conservatory. Classes are managed and scheduled through Phipps directly. 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 students to have arm and feet flexibility/strength.
Colorblock Hand Brooms
Sat., June 6, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Phipps Garden Center, Shadyside
Learn how to make a traditional style hand broom in this 2 hour workshop hosted by Husk Brooms. These hand brooms are crafted with broom corn, and feature two nylon cord choices. Color block refers to the use of two solid colors crafted next to each other. The hens wing creates a fan shape, these are great tools for cleaning large areas: desks, kitchen tables, stairs, fireplaces, or even radiators. Broomcorn is the essential natural material for household cleaning because it’s delicate enough to catch hair and smaller debris while being strong enough to bend without breaking.
Traditional House Broom
Must attend both days!
Sat. and Sun., June 13 and 14, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Learn how to make a traditional style house broom in this 2-session workshop hosted by Husk Brooms. The house broom is ideal for cleaning rooms and large spaces. These brooms will be crafted the traditional, Appalachian way with woven stalks around the handle, and three rows of stitching. This class is intermediate with some class experience being recommended. Moderate hand and feet strength is required. These brooms are hand-tied and do not use any glue or adhesives.
Workbench Brush
Sat., July 25, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Learn how to make a functional, traditional style workbench brush with Tia Tumminello of Husk Brooms. In this 3 hour workshop, you’ll learn several broom making techniques and use simple tools barefoot to create one hand broom. The workbench brush features a woven stalk handle, many of which will be locally harvested! This hand broom is great for cleaning household areas: fireplace, workbench, table tops and studio spaces. The main fiber used is called broomcorn, a type of sorghum. This brush is special because it uses both the stalk and tassel from the broomcorn place to form the brush.
“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!