Making a cobweb broom

Here, I demonstrate making a cobweb broom.
This video was shot and edited by John Simurdak, broom making apprentice in my shop at the Ozark Folk Center in 2011.
I can be found hard at work in season (and sometimes out) at the Ozark Folk Center State Park (www.ozarkfolkcenter.com) or, you can find my (some of my) brooms on my website at www.laffing-horse.com

[@ThomasPaineintheArse]

Great stuff, brother

[@tonybeeguy]

Thanks so much for sharing. I planted some broom corn this year and can't wait to harvest so I can give broom making a go.

[@itsjustrenee1320]

I grew enough broom corn this year to make about 1 broom. I made a whisk broom last year. I've got about ten times more seed this year than I did last. After a few more years, I may be able to make about 10 brooms!

[@elementalbirdmelusina6686]

Loved your video. Thank you for making it

[@dionnahfreyer8164]

Wow, this is awesome!

[@ShawnHoefer]

Hello. Thanks! I do indeed sell my brooms. You can find me hard at work at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Arkansas or on my website. See the revised description.

[@Charlene1250]

Shawn Hoefer Minecraft world Dick Q

[@user-mh4qd4xm2b]

Teach me the ways of the Jedi!

[@witchybritches13]

Amazing!!!

[@RoosterPootPottery]

Great job Shawn! I did not realize you were at the folk center!

[@ShawnHoefer]

Have been at the Folk Center since 2007!

[@kayleighbrianne7693]

Not sure how I got here but now I really want to make a broom. 😅

[@jamespenix9115]

love the videos. i would like to know what you use in the video to tye with. where do you get it and what do i ask for. i have watched all the videos 4 times. thanks for the time. jim

[@ShawnHoefer]

Thanks! Good luck and let me know how it comes out.

[@rainlyte2003]

Glad to see you are close. Are you still demoing at the OFC?

[@zedmak]

My great uncle did his with something that looked like chicken wire.

[@SamFalzone-oakandhammer-forge]

Hi Shawn. How long do you need to soak the broomcorn before making a broom? If you soak too many, can they be dried again and resoaked later. I really enjoy your videos ... I'm using them to teach myself broom making. Hope to hear back from you soon.

[@earthchildmarket3256]

I'm a big gardener and crafter, but have never heard of broom corn. Is it easy to fine seed? I've been wanting to start making brooms. This is a great video. Where is the Folk Center located? I live in NW Arkansas.

[@ShawnHoefer]

Yoi can find broomcorn seed at www.rareseeds.com. it's easy to grow, but has to be harvested by hand. The Ozark Folk Center State Park is located in Mountain View, Arkansas.

[@earthchildmarket3256]

Shawn Hoefer Thank you for the quick reply. I'm not far from Mountain View. I'll have to come visit the park sometime.

[@ShawnHoefer]

Layne I look forward to your visit

[@itsjustrenee1320]

I bought seed off the internet and started growing it year before last. It's easy to grow. I use the row for shade in the evening for my other projects. It's pretty too. I've got enough seed this year to plant a huge stand next year across the back of my yard about 8 ft wide. I've got enough broomcorn this year to make about 1 broom. It's very pretty. I bought the colored seeds so you have to let it stay on the stalk & mature for it to get it's colors. It's makes gorgeous fall porch decorations of which after I'm done using it for that, then I make a broom.

[@aleeshaallred8485]

What kind of twine are you using? You seem to be pulling it awfully tight for twine.

[@wynterpanther728]

how many different types of brooms are there? I mean theres kitchen broom, cobweb broom, cake tester brooms, round brooms, rooster tail brooms, turkey wing brooms, and pot scrubbers. can you make anything else with broom corn??

[@ShawnHoefer]

We make around 20 styles of brooms using broomcorn. To explain all that broomcorn is would take half a book, but the short answer is yes, but don't do it.

[@revaamundson4428]

Shawn Hoefer Do you sell wholesale to retailers?

[@CaramelTwilight]

is there any place i can buy broomcorn stalks for broom making?

[@d3athstar29]

Amazon

[@smallcabininthewoods]

Say, what kind of needle are you using for the stitching? Where can one find a needle like that?

[@ShawnHoefer]

That is a 7" spade point packing needle. Unfortunately, I can't find them anymore. Believe me when I say I have spent hours looking! The closest I have been able to find are curved point upholstery packing needles. What you can use, if you're handy with a grinder is a steel locker hook with the crochet end ground off. You can also check Colonial Needle Supply. I have a few left and I cherish them!

[@aleeshaallred8485]

Would it work to make a wooden pointed "needle"?