Rhythm & Ritual

05/22/2026

I stopped by Tod’s place this morning to pick up some more bodkins for my online shop (I also use these in all my classes) and got a demo of his process!
I love when creative passions overlap and we get to support each other…
Tod is a dad to two wild little boys, among other things, like being a great partner to Lindsey and an incredible blacksmith and teacher!
He does incredible work and I’m happy to connect you with him if you need a blacksmith to make something for you or teach you how to make something for yourself!
Tod is one of the teachers of the Earth-folk Craft mentorship. He will be hosting the cohort for two days of heating and hitting metal!
If you are interested in being part of the cohort, I’m taking applications now.
Will be sharing much more about the other offerings as well as time progresses, which includes broommaking, candle making, pyrography, hand quilting, wild pottery, spoon carving, and willow basketry.

If you want to find out more, follow the link in my bio or send me a message.

Or simply enjoy this fun glimpse into the world of blacksmithing and bodkin making!!

05/19/2026

Something has been percolating in my mind and in my heart for quite some time and I'm so excited to begin sharing it with the world!

I’ve lived in Western North Carolina for almost 20 years now and am incredibly blessed to know so many skilled, humble, magnificent humans with rich wisdom in their particular fields. This dream has been unfolding since I joined my first two broom-making apprentices in a blacksmithing class with my friend Tod – who tends a wild and lush piece of Earth in the hollers of Barnardsville. I had so much fun playing with them and grew inspired to connect more of my people together in a rhythmic, solid container that runs through the winter months – helping to stoke the fires of our hearts through joy, play, connection, and inspiration.

So I've pulled together some of my favorite folks and will be offering a 6 month container that consists of amazing classes in a number of different areas!

You will learn: broom-making, wild pit fired pottery, spoon carving, willow basketry, pyrography, beeswax candle dipping & pouring, blacksmithing, & more.

*This is a chance to be taught by some salt of the Earth people.
*An opportunity to deepen in community with a small cohort over the course of 6 months.
*An invitation to play, to learn new hands on crafts and skills, to make beautiful and functional objects to use in your everyday life.
*A space to grow, be held in community, and step forward onto a path that calls you.

Classes will be held at the Madison County Arts council in downtown Marshall, NC as well as private land in Marshall and Barnardsville.

https://handmadebrooms.com/work-with-me/earth-folk-craft-mentorship/

05/18/2026

Maryland friends! Its been a few years since I've been there and I'm delighted to be teaching three classes in your neck of the woods in June!
Flying Fibers Farm near York PA is hosting me for Woven Whisks on Friday, June 19th.
At Manor Mill in Monkton MD on June 20th we'll be making Appalachian Kitchen Sweepers!
And on June 21st, we'll make Hawk Tails & Turkey Wing Whisks at Starbright Farm in White Hall, MD.
Please spread the word and I hope to see some of your faces there!
Follow linktree in my bio to register!

05/18/2026

I’ve got an in person class coming up on May 31st at the foothills equestrian nature center in Tryon, NC.

My classes are not just about making brooms. They are an offering from my heart to yours. They are a space to step into contact with ourselves and others in a meaningful way. They are about the exhale and they are about creation. It’s important to me to hold a space that feels real, connective, and inspiring. When we come together and make things with our hands, we remember parts of ourselves that we didn’t know we had lost. I hope you’ll join me! 💙

Link in bio to register or comment “connect” and I’ll send you the direct link.

05/15/2026

A sweet order i’m just finishing up that will head up to Canada soon to adorn the walls of
these ritual whisks really put me into a Zen space when I’m crafting them, working with Tampico fiber and delicate linen means a lot of slowness and intention and care. Which is exactly how they’re meant to be used. 💙

05/15/2026

I am grateful today for the quiet moments in my studio, sunlight streaming in, sweet smell of honeysuckle out my door and a gentle beckoning breeze. Incense gifted to me from one of my apprentices and a chance to do some quiet stitching on the floor as I listen to songs that drum up such rich memories of my past. As I’ve gathered more years, I find myself more able to interpret life‘s unspoken languages, through patterns and feelings and inner knowing. I’m starting to learn to trust in the surrender and the ways in which the path unfolds before my eyes when I allow myself to step out of the way. When I am the vessel and not the commander. It’s the dance we dance with creation. The love we are making with life itself.
“Without detour” - your vision was given to you and you alone. Don’t expect everyone to have your sight. And.
Walking your path of truth, takes courage, calculation, and commitment. Trust that the universe will put your tenacity to test so come prepared.
💙

05/07/2026

05/07/2026

On May 1 - Beltane, Scorpio full moon- I was blessed to be invited to Elisa’s beautiful home to guide her and a group of her women friends (some of which were my friends too!) how to craft sweeper brooms!

When I get days like these that begin with crafting altars, move into deep sharing circles, progress with crafting and nourishing food and sweet time together, and end with beautiful functional art- my heart feels so full!
I would like to invite more and more of us this into my life. If you would also, you can invite me to teach a class to you and your women friends! 💙🧹

If you are a solo broom enthusiast, you can join me at my upcoming sweeper broom class in Marshall on July 10. I know it’s a couple months away, but there are just a couple spots left.

Link in my bio to register. Or send me a message if you are interested setting up a private class.

05/05/2026

It’s been 12 years this month since I first learned how to tie a broom.
Many of you have heard this story - but I was 7 months pregnant with Tilia when the class I received a scholarship to take - a week long felt making course - got cancelled. I was itching to learn something creative and the broom-making class at the Folk School still had openings.
It’s not something I ever set out to learn - I didn’t even know about the world of handcrafted brooms until I was at the threshold and stepped in. I am so grateful to my first teachers - Glen Mclean and Carol Morse for inspiring this love. (And to Glen for answering many questions about teaching over the years!)
I don’t always pick up new skills easily. It takes me a whole lot of repetition and determination. And sometimes, letting something rest for a while and coming back to it. It’s the coming back to it piece that feels significant.
If we want to learn something, do something, realize a dream we have - there are seasons of movement and seasons of rest. Times that we are so clear we show up and bust our ass to get it done - and times of surrender to the mystery.
I love looking at life this way - a dance and co creation with mystery.

After 12 years of making brooms, I just last year dipped my toes into making rooster tails. It was frustrating at first - I learned through a live online class and my brain does not process the mirroring through a screen very well. I made one, but I didn’t fully grasp the concept.
I got Cynthia Main’s wonderful book and the descriptions and pictures helped me to see a new perspective - but still not fully there.

When my apprentice Adam expressed that he wants to learn how to make rooster tails and become confident enough to teach them - I found a new fire. If I want to support him on his pathway, it’s time to revisit my own frustrations. (Cont in comments..)

05/03/2026

The last few weeks have been so special. Time with my girls and parents at our family’s old homeplace in West Virginia. The place I first discovered a bundle of broomcorn in the attic shortly after I learned how to make brooms, almost 12 years ago. An attic full of treasures - including clothing saved in old dusty trunks that belonged to my great great grandmothers.
I remember the excitement of going up in the attic when I was little and unearthing these precious relics. I love that my youngest daughter also shares this same enthusiasm.
Every time I go up there, a new treasure seems to emerge.
This time, It was a pile of rugs woven on the old carpet loom, by my great great grandmother and her sister.
Someone started stitching them together and never finished, so I brought them home to complete the job.
I never got to meet Zola (my great grandmother) but I have always felt a special kinship with her. She held so much practical wisdom- how to make lye soap, tie brooms, grow a garden, can and put up food, identify medicine plants, take care of a farm when her husband left her a widow in her 40s.
I feel blessed to have these belongings that tie me to these women. They are my inspiration in my contributions to keeping these skills alive through teaching ❤️
I pray that my great great grandchildren are even more deeply connected to the Earth and have skills that far surpass my own.

04/29/2026

Some reflections on holding containers. Gratitude for and
Stream of consciousness share about things that feel real and important.
Would love perspective from others who are leading/facilitating or who desire to! ❤️🙏🧹