Intermediate Broom Making: Woven Whisk Broom

ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE We are honored to have Betania from Bristle and Stick in the Methow Valley joining us to teach this class. As Betania says, 'There is a magic that comes from making stuff by hand, a spark of life force that is lost when things are made by machine. We put our spirit, our hearts and our prayers into our work when we slow down and get our paws deep into it. When you know the story behind an item you are walking with, it carries a medicinal life energy that is lost when things are industrialized.' This is a great class for those wanting to dive further into the world of broom making. In this four hour intermediate level class, you will learn about the weaving and sewing traditionally used in broom craft. Create your own woven whisk broom and take it home at the end of class! Note: This is an intermediate class. It is recommended but not required to have taken one of Betania's beginner classes prior to participating in this class, only because we don't review tools and techniques! YOUR HOST Betania (pronouns they/them) from Bristle & Stick is joining us to teach this class: My identity has always felt very Amphibious, like I don’t fit into any of the assigned boxes. I am a mixed (Mestizx) or Ancestrally diverse person. My people come from the Ancestral homelands of the Mexica in Mexico, the Iberian peninsula, Sardinia & Wales (plus a few other little connections that I don’t know much about). I am a teacher and student of place based skills and craft, a broom maker, a forever student of Plants and folk medicine, and I was raised by Trees. For as long as I can remember I have turned to the Trees, Animals and other beings in the Forest for council. As a young person running from the various institutions I found myself in, the best places I found to hide were "wild spaces". In these so called "wild" areas I found a sense of family with the the Non-human world around me, here is where I felt held and safe. I believe strongly in the healing powers of “Nature”, believing that strengthening our connection with our More-Than-Human relatives can improve our interpersonal relationships and emotional well being.