Join our broom circle on September 30th (during the Juniper Farm Fig Picnic) and make a beautiful bouquet broom filled with seasonal intention, featuring flowers grown and dried at Juniper Farm. Find C. on the community field from 12pm to 3pm where they will demo a simple hawk's tail weave incorporating dried flowers from the farm and some basic broommaking techniques including how to use a broom brake, how to keep your twine tensioned, and how to finish your weave. Then, they'll help you choose from the beautiful variety of flowers, let you pick out your twine, provide some pre-weighed and portioned broomcorn, and guide you through the process of making your own to bring home! There will be multiple demos in each hour, and you're welcome to stay for more than one demo. Broommaking does take some energy and a little bit of focus, but it's a fun way to spend part of the picnic and we hope you'll join us in the broommaking circle!
Accessibility: ability to sit up and tension twine from a tool held on the ground with your feet to the broom gripped in your hands for a short period of time which requires moderate strength, stamina, and grip. We won't be doing anything too complicated, so it should be relatively accessible to most but the very young or those who would struggle with gripping for more than 15 minutes. It is possible to take breaks, but generally, once you start weaving a broom you don't stop until you tie it off. It is recommended you wear firm-soled shoes without a heel and something comfortable for the weather that day. We will be working on level grass near paved and gravel drives if weather permits, or will be in a covered area with a smooth cement floor in the event of inclement weather. As far as age, this workshop is primarily aimed towards adults, but I am willing to consider teenagers 13-17 without an adult and younger attendees if they come with an adult on a case-by-case basis – please contact me directly before registering anyone under the age of 18. Feel free to reach out to me via email (c.murphydoes@gmail.com) with any questions about young people attending, accessibility, or anything else!