26 Jan Spring Flower and Wood Spirit Brooms with Bev Larson
Join instructors Bev Larson and Marvin Daniels as you explore the craft of woodcarving and broom making. Students will learn to transform wooden sticks and spend the first few days of class learning carving techniques, woodburning, and staining handles. The final part of the class focuses on the art of broom making, turning the newly carved and finished handle into a cobweb broom using sorghum straw.
Read Bev Larson’s interview below to learn more about the process and register for the class here.
JCCFS: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. How did you get started?
BL: I fell in love with handmade brooms 40 years ago and began making them 20 years ago. I’ve learned from the best of the best, and now I get to share the knowledge that I’ve learned with aspiring broom makers.
JCCFS: What mediums do you use and where do you derive inspiration from?
BL: The brooms are made primarily of broomcorn, cord, and sticks. Because we carve the handles ourselves, inspiration for each broom comes directly from our carvings. We then use acrylic paint to bring the designs on our handles to life.
Finished handles for the woodspirit brooms.
Bev teaching in one of her previous broom classes.
Finished brooms
JCCFS: What are you most excited to experience during your time here at the Folk School?
BL: The Folk School is my happy place. I’m always excited to meet new people, see old friends, and experience the Folk School with them, whether that’s teaching or learning.
JCCFS: What does a first day in the studio look like?
BL: The first half of the week, we get to play with carving, taught by the best, Marvin Daniels. In the middle of the week, we add color to our carvings to make them pop. Finally, we learn to attach the broomcorn and stitch our beautiful brooms.
JCCFS: What is your favorite part about campus?
BL: Because of my interests, I spend most of my time in the rock room, but I also enjoy the music, the dining hall, and Thursday night carving with the Brasstown Carvers.
JCCFS: What tips would you give a student or aspiring craftsperson?
BL: Don’t be afraid to try something new. Tell yourself “I can,” not “I can’t.”
Students working on their brooms
Spring Flowers and Wood Spirit Brooms
Spring into carving flowers or a friendly wood spirit as you transform wooden sticks and sorghum straw into a one-of-a-kind cobweb or hearth broom. The first few days will cover carving techniques, woodburning, and staining your piece. Then, learn the art of broom making and turn your new carved broom handles into beautiful cobweb brooms!
About Bev Larson and Marvin Daniels
Bev Larson was introduced to broom making in 2010 and immediately fell in love with it. Over time, her styles and creativity have evolved, but the passion has never died. Bev feels privileged to share her love of broom making by routinely teaching at basket retreats and fiber shows such as the Michigan Fiber Festival; Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival; in Indiana at The Fiber Event, Greencastle and the Stateline Friends Weaving Retreat; SouthEastern Animal Fiber Fair in North Carolina; and Woven Together in Western Kentucky. Bev has also taught on the Basket Weaving Cruise in the Caribbean. She is honored to be and Indiana Artisan as designated by the State of Indiana.
Marvin Daniels started woodcarving in 1994 and eventually found his niche in caricature carving. He began teaching in 2001. Marvin’s designs include cowboys, Indians, bottle stoppers, Santas, woodspirits, and wizards. He has won numerous first-place and best of show awards. Marvin’s other passion is music–first as a career, then as a hobby. He has taught guitar, ukulele, mandolin, and 5-string banjo for most of his adult life.
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