Meet the Maker - Erin Simons

Erin Simons of Laurel Ridge Studios is a craftswoman, historical interpreter, and educator from Southwest Virginia.

Erin offers education through the historical interpretation of Traditional Appalachian Broom Making demonstration, as well as broom making classes.

Erin offers whisks and brooms bound by hand, start to finish, and woven with a non-electric process. Many of the handles are harvested in the woods behind her studio and traditional Appalachian crafting techniques are applied when constructing each piece.

Her brooms are created to carry on the tradition and culture of Appalachia, as well as, to create beautiful and functional pieces of art that help instill a sense of joy and beauty in common everyday tasks.

Erin Simons

Watch.

Both John and Erin bask in the beauty and practicality of the brooms they hand craft: Whether they’re making a typical upright broom for floor sweeping or a smaller whisk, called a turkey wing for all kinds of cleaning chores, each promote the inherent function and artistry of the broom. 

Listen.

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum

MuseumTalk - Episode #104 (11 - 16 - 2023) CALT Fellows Erin Simons And John Alexander

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 FAQs

  • Broom corn (both dyed and natural): Broomcorn (Sorghum vulgare) is not actually corn, but is instead related to the sorghums used for grain and syrup (Sorghum bicolor). Broomcorn has a coarse, fibrous seed head that has been used to make various types of brooms and brushes for several hundred years. Every part of the broom corn is used, and nothing is wasted. Broomcorn is the best fiber for broom making due to its natural ability to catch and hold dust with its wavy tips.

    Tampico (Tam-pee-ko): Comes from the agave lechugilla plant, unique to northern Mexico and grows in high altitude deserts. It is flexigle enough to be bent in half and has a softer feel. This fiber is perfect for brushes.

    No.18 Nylon Synthetic Twine: I mostly use synthetic twine for its pliability, range of colors, and strength.

    2mm 100% Hemp Twine: Hemp twine offers several advantages over nylon twine, primarily due to its environmentally friendly nature as a biodegradable material, strong natural fibers that resist mold and mildew, good UV resistance, and being considered a more sustainable choice compared to synthetic nylon.

    Gnarled and Inconsistent Hardwood Handles: These handles vary in size, shape, and type of wood, but they are all harvested by me in the woods behind the studio. Most of the wood sourced is from the many fallen Laurel that surround the property.

    Found Objects and Discarded Treasures: Croquet Sticks, Canes, Deer Antlers, Golf Clubs, Musical Instruments, you name it, if it can be made into a broom handle, I am probably saving it and scheming ideas for how to attach broom corn to it.

    Sanded and Turned Handles: These handles are 42" long and 1 1/18" diameter sourced from Caddy Supply Company. These are used on the full sized sweepers and small hearth brooms. The reason I choose to use these on these particular brooms is simply for the feel in your hand.

    Leather: Most of the leather that I use is cowhide sourced from upholstery companies getting rid of scraps. This is just another way to repurpose and use something that otherwise would be discarded.

    • Be sure to store your sweepers upside down or hang them so that the weight is not on the bristles causing them to bend and become brittle over time.

    • Broom corn is a natural fiber, therefore always keep your broom dry; if the broom does get wet, make sure to hang it in a place with good air flow to allow it to dry.

    • Occasionally you may want to oil your sweeper handle. You can use linseed or tung oil.

    • In some cases, your broom may need a little wash and trim. I am happy to assist you in this process when or if the time comes.

  • What you are buying in a store is commercially made on a machine and is carelessly mass-produced and many times made with unsustainable materials.

    My products are personally hand crafted by me from start to finish with a non-electric process. Most of the materials are natural and each item has its own unique qualities and nuances. I take pride in my work and try my best to make sure that it is a quality tool that can be used for many years to come.

    When you purchase from me you are getting an heirloom quality, functional piece of artwork for your home.

  • Barring there are no cat or dog incidents (I have heard of dogs chewing brooms and cats using them as scratching posts)...With everyday use and proper care, your whisk and sweepers should last for many years to come.

  • All sales are final.
    I stand behind & guarantee my craft. Please reach out if you have any concerns about your broom, brush, or whisk.