Small Sweeps- a colorful approach to broom making - hosted by Berea Learnshops- 10/16/26

Join Amanda Lee Lazorchack of Please Send Word for an afternoon of creating small sweeps! Using colorful hand-dyed fibers, you will learn the foundational techniques to bind hand brooms. We’ll chat about the history of broom making, the significance of the humble object and create a series of small sweeps. This is a great introduction to broom making and a dive into technique for experienced broom makers. A hands-on workshop in a casual and inviting environment.

Small Sweeps

Plaited Brooms: stalk weaving on hand brooms - hosted by Berea Learnshops - 10/31/26

A full day of broom making! Learn the foundational techniques for hand brooms and plait weaving. You will learn how to appropriately process materials, broom shape considerations, how to plait using the stalk of the broomcorn plant, and how to improve your plait weaves. This class is great for beginners or established broom makers looking to improve technique! We'll chat about the history of broom making, the significance of the humble object and weave multiple brooms! This class is very hands-on in a casual and inviting environment.

Let's Plait

Doubled Up: a unique approach to hand brooms - hosted by Berea Learnshops - 11/1/26

A full day of doubles! Learn a unique approach to hand brooms with double brooms! Learn foundational skills and dive into broom shape considerations. Practice creating balanced sides of double hand brooms and integrate playful designs. We'll chat about the history of broom making, the signifigance of the humble object and weave multiple brooms as time and skill allows. This class is very hands-on in a casual and inviting environment.

Doubled Up Hand Broom

Sweep Shapes: Exploring Contemporary Design John C Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC - 5/16/27-5/21/27

Learn to make brooms of all shapes, functional and sculptural. A week long deep dive! Building from a foundation of traditional technique, explore contemporary design considerations and experimental style development- with an emphasis on play and curiosity. This class is suited for beginners & beyond. Experienced students will focus on projects of their choosing, refining design, form, and more intricate techniques such as material selection, shaping and twill patterns. Beginners will learn to be comfortable and confident with the material & process of broom construction.

s w e e p s h a p e s

The Handled Broom: sculpture & utility- Pine Croft School of Woodworking- 5/6/27-5/9/27

This is a high engagement, 4 day workshop. Start with the foundations of broom construction & apply those skills to larger handled sweeps while we play with the relationship between sculpture and tool. You will learn to sort & grade materials, prepare & finish handles, weave & stitch broom corn. We will explore design considerations & creative problem solving. You may make multiple handled brooms.

Pine Croft

upcoming classes: stay tuned for details.

B R O O M S A L O N: application based advanced experience June 2027

the playful broom: an exploration of design & technique August 2027 | arrowmont school of craft, gaitlinburg, tn

swept : exploring the whole broom October 2027 | sanborn mills, loudon, nh

(tbd) May 2028 | penland school of craft, nc

want to be the first to get the details?

“I felt full in this class. Amanda Lee is an expert teacher that sincerely loves people, is curious about the world, is open to everyone and creates a fun and interactive environment. She intuits different learning styles and is utterly without pretense. Her empathy with materials translates to empathy towards others.”
-Jess, former student & long time fiber teacher.

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