Feature Article January 22, 2003
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeContact Us
Broommaking at the Schoolhouseby Ankaret Dean There is nothing like being prepared for Halloween ahead of the time!
On Jan. 16, 10 members of MERA Fiberarts at the Schoolhouse got together to make brooms, using 40 24 twigs and a three-foot stave for a handle. Some people painted or decorated their handles, while others used sticks which had been recovered from a beaver dam, neatly chewed at the end. The idea to make brooms was the inspiration of Lynda Russell from Snow Road. She has had a fascination with this type of hand-crafted broom, sometimes called a besom, and volunteered to come up with directions.
The hall at the Schoolhouse was full of activity as the twigs were carefully arranged and woven together with an assortment of either wire, sisal or round reed. They were then attached to the handle and wrapped tightly around. The brooms were certainly well used during the clean up! Each broom had its own character, being made of different materials and in varying sizes. If you see someone riding pass your window on a broomstick, it is not Harry Potter and friends, but MERA members practicing for next Halloween.
