Turkey Wing Whisk Broom – May 16, 2026

About the course:

Prior to the Industrial Revolution, most households had a variety of floor brooms, small brooms, and brushes, all for very specific uses. These were mainly made of broomcorn, a type of sorghum. In this workshop participants will assemble a variety of small brooms, starting with simple “bundle whisk brooms”. You’ll learn about knots and materials and gain the skills to master the “tumble spool.” As the day progresses, participants will tackle slightly more complex designs until they finish the workshop with a decorative and functional Turkey Wing design.  This handy whisk looks like a beautiful turkey’s wing, beautiful and functional. It looks great hanging next to the fireplace or wood stove — and it’s always ready when you need to clean up. 

A traditional style of whisk, used by Ben Franklin in the 1700’s to promote the turkey as America’s national bird of congress.