OH HELLO
If you’re here, it’s because I shared this link with you directly—thank you for being part of the broommaking world I care so deeply about.
This little zine is a doorway into the dusty magic of broommaking. It holds some of what I’ve learned from teachers, fiber artists, Appalachian elders, internet rabbit holes, and old books. I originally wrote it to support students in my classes—it skips some things I’d normally say or demo in person, but it’s packed with info on tools, studio setup, and process overviews.
I hope it helps you get started, or deepen your practice. My biggest hope is that you’ll make it your own: change the shapes, invent new steps, and have fun with the traditional processes.
There’s deep history here—some of it beautiful, some of it hard. Broom work has long been undervalued, often unpaid, and rarely recorded. Still, it’s full of care, creativity, and skill. This zine is shared in the spirit of abundance: to learn together, to share knowledge freely, and to respect the makers who came before and the ones still to come.
A few notes:
If you’d like a physical copy, you can buy one on my website.
Please don’t share this link or make copies without checking with me first.
If you find a mistake or have questions, I’d truly love to hear from you.
If you’re able, consider donating to The Chairmaker’s Toolbox, which supports emerging makers through tools, education, and community care.
Thanks for being here. Thanks for making things. Thanks for doing it with love.
Yours in brooms,
Aspen
