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Set of 5 DIY a simple handmade wooden broom for your home hanging on a white wall.

DIY a simple handmade wooden broom for your home! It’s a great project to do either by yourself or with your family. New brooms are made and considered good luck on the first day of the New Year, the first day of the month, the first day of the week, or to symbolize a new path.

Brooms can be made by foraging your own outdoor space or garden. It is a fun and unique way to channel your positive energy and good thoughts into a natural craft.

In many cultures, the hanging of a broom near the door is a powerful tool to keep away negative energy. Brooms (or a besom) are considered good luck around the world. They symbolize sweeping away misfortune, negativity, unwanted guests, and protection against the evil eye.

The History Of Handmade Brooms

The history of the handmade broom dates back thousands of years. The earliest known brooms were made from twigs or branches tied together with a rope or string. These brooms were used to sweep dirt and debris from floors and streets. In the Middle Ages, brooms became more sophisticated. They were made from bundles of straw or twigs, and the handles were often made from wood or metal. These brooms were used in homes and businesses, and they were also used to clean public spaces.

In the 1800s, the first factory-made brooms were produced. These brooms were made from a variety of materials, including straw, corn husks, and horsehair. They were also more affordable than handmade brooms, which made them more accessible to people of all socioeconomic classes.

Natural broom/whisk brooms on a brick hearth.

Today, handmade brooms are still made in some parts of the world. They are often made from natural materials like straw, corn husks, and horsehair. Handmade brooms are typically more expensive than factory-made ones but are more durable and long-lasting.

Here are some of the benefits of using a handmade broom:

They are made from natural materials, which are better for the environment.
They are more durable and long-lasting than factory-made brooms.
They are often more effective at sweeping dirt and debris.
They can add a touch of rustic charm to your home.

If you are looking for a sustainable alternative and effective way to clean your home, a handmade broom is a great option. Here are some great modern options…

Besoms And Wedding Brooms

2 DIY a simple handmade wooden broom for your home laying on a table.

Besoms are handmade brooms traditionally used for sweeping the air instead of the ground. They are a perfect way to cleanse the air of all negativity and create a positive environment. In traditional hand-fasting ceremonies, a besom would be placed on the ground. The new couple would “jump the broom” to enter a new phase of life together.

Handmade brooms are perfect for special events and are so special to give as a gift. You can even incorporate part of a bridal bouquet into a handmade broom as a reminder of that special day. They make thoughtful and unique gifts for those you care about.

Foraging and Gathering To DIY A Simple Handmade Wooden Broom For Your Home

Mittened hand holding a bunch of gathered natural material to DIY a simple handmade wooden broom for your home.

To make your handmade broom gather a variety of materials and elements. Decide on your intention for the broom and select items with care and thankfulness. You can go on a walk and gather materials as you go, take a hike, or go in your garden or backyard. Materials can be old or new, purchased or gathered. What is important is your intention when putting them together.

Let your unique style shine through- no two brooms are alike. Different parts of the world have different materials available to use. I live in the Great Lakes area so most of my crafts are made up of locally foraged material.

If using fresh real flowers and herbs, I usually dry them at least part of the way before adding them to a broom. As well as letting any sticks or other material dry out most of the way. This will prevent any molding.

Foraged material on a wood table to DIY a simple handmade wooden broom for your home.

Choose what you are drawn to – maybe it’s bright colours of various shades, a mix of earthy tones, beautiful flowers, deep orange ribbons, or straight or curvy materials. Tell a love story or spin a web of protection.

Here are some materials that work well to make a broom

Foraged material to DIY a simple handmade wooden broom for your home.

There are so many materials that can be used to make a broom. If using damp or fresh items, it is better to let them dry out before using them. Lay them in the sun, hang them upside down, or use a dehydrator.

A large stick or branch for the handle (should be at least 2x the length of the overall dimension). This is the base of all arrangements.
Branches or twigs. (research the meanings deeper) Look for browns, deep reds, and warmer colours.
Long grass
Cattail reeds
Dried up milkweed stalks
Stems of sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme, St. John’s wort, and other herbs.
In the winter – there are so many dried seed pods and interesting shapes to choose from.
In the summer – fresh flowers and weeds.
Evergreen boughs
Feathers
Dried citrus slices
Dried flowers (I love dried hydrangeas – leave them in a vase with no water and they dry perfectly)

Tools To DIY A Simple Handmade Wooden Broom For Your Home

Scissors, nippers, and twine on a wood surface.

You will only need the most basic of tools. A pair of scissors, some kind of heavy-duty nippers for trimming branches, and some twine are all you need. The twine should be strong enough to tightly bind all of the materials together without breaking. I prefer natural materials such as cotton, hemp, or jute.

How To DIY A Simple Handmade Wooden Broom For Your Home

Putting together a handmade broom is simple and lots of fun. It is very similar to making floral arrangements or wood flower bouquets.

1. First, select a broom handle. This will be a piece of wood (or other material) that is thicker and longer than the other materials. Choose something that makes sense with the size of the broom you want to make.

2. Gather up all the materials you will use to make the sweeping part of the broom and trim them to similar lengths. Make these any size and length you want and lay them out before you start assembling.

Trimmed materials to DIY a simple handmade wooden broom for your home.

3. Begin assembling the materials in your hand, holding them tightly in place. Shift them around in a general placement to make a wooden bouquet that has a front and a back. Longer/larger pieces in the back and smaller in the front.

Child and adult hand holding sticks and materials to DIY a simple handmade wooden broom for your home.

4. Add your longer handle piece into the middle of the bouquet. Keep adding more materials until the sweeper part reaches the fullness you desire.

Making a loop to do a coil knot for the base of a DIY a simple handmade wooden broom for your home.

5. Take your twine (cotton or jute) make a loop at the top with a long strand hanging down and begin winding in circles. Make sure to use a tight tension to secure all of your items together.

6. Feed your working yarn through the loop and trim it. Then pull the bottom strand (that is the start of the loop) and pull the loop and working yarn into your wrap securing all the ends. Trim the ends.

7. If desired, add crystals, rocks, dried citrus, pine cones, ribbons, or other amulets.

Adorning a broom handle with a pinecone and beads.

8. Hang where desired most.

Decorating Your Handmade Broom

Sliced and dried oranges tied to a broom handle.

There are a ton of materials and elements that you can adorn your handmade broom with. Something you have gathered or saved like a special pendant, a trinket, or a handmade item.

Here are some suggestions:

Crystals
Favorite ribbon
Figurines,
Dried orange slices
Traditional flowers
Pine cones
Jewelry pieces
Silk flowers
Good luck charms
Amulets
Shells
Feathers
Small drawings
Beads (these energy beads are a great choice)
An old silky scarf or handkerchief

Take your element and bind it to the base of the broom with natural cotton or twine until it is fully secure.

Finished DIY a simple handmade wooden broom for your home with a shell.

Wrapping Up DIY A Simple Handmade Wooden Broom For Your Home

Making a handmade broom or besom is a magical and fun experience for all ages. The amazing job that will result shows the creativity and individuality of the maker. Handmade brooms are a perfect gift and a lovely thing to hang on your walls. Every season nature will provide different materials. There is no right or wrong, just magic.

Larger DIY a simple handmade wooden broom for your home with oranges and a rock on the base of the handle.

Check out this guide on how to make a magical yule pouch – there are more ideas that you could incorporate into your broom. And while you are foraging, make this awesome handmade wreath.

Cheers,

Sarah

How To Guide For A DIY A Simple Handmade Wooden Broom For Your Home

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