Meet the Maker - Erin Simons

Hi, I’m Erin Simons, a traditional Appalachian broom and brush maker from Wytheville, Virginia. I find my inspiration in the history, artistry, and resourcefulness behind these humble tools.

Using harvested limbs, roots, antlers, broomcorn, and twine, I create brooms that connect me to the land and the heritage of this region. Each piece is a blend of function and beauty, honoring a tradition that has been passed down through generations.

I learned this craft from my mentor, John Alexander, and have been making brooms since 2023. I work from a new studio rebuilt after Hurricane Helene in October 2024, made possible by a grant from CERF+. Before that, I worked in an 1850s log cabin my dad built from reclaimed logs, often with my children playing nearby.

I’m honored to be a 2023 Central Appalachia Living Traditions Tradition Bearer Fellow and I completed a Virginia Humanities Apprenticeship Program in 2024. In 2025 I was named the Garden & Gun Made in the South Sustainability Award Winner and featured in their magazine.

Through my brooms, I hope to share the joy, ingenuity, and creativity of Appalachian culture and demonstrate how simple objects can be transformed into meaningful works of art.

Erin Simons

Read.

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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