John has 40 years of experience working with metal. In his blacksmith shop, he specializes in functional art pieces. He has taken blacksmithing classes at the Folk School since 2005 and has been an assistant instructor since 2013. A member of the Alex Bealer Blacksmith Association since 1998, John has demonstrated for the organization. To promote interest in blacksmithing, he demonstrates at several arts and crafts festivals each year.
At Organic Artist Tree, a broom maker is a fine craftsman & artisan, not a machine operator or assemblyman. Our custom brooms are 100% handcrafted, created without machinery, just as brooms were made in the 18th Century. We use real hardwood handles and fresh harvested broomcorn.
Every broom is an original, one-of-a-kind functional piece of Art; giving each broom it’s own “personality”. We hike the mountain forests and lakes, always on the lookout for driftwood and unique hardwoods just right for serving as the ideal broomstick. Each length of wood is then shaped, carved, sanded & hand finished to create the perfect handle with an ideal look, weight & feel for the user.
Our broom heads are made of fresh harvested broomcorn (Sorghum vulgare) twined and hand-plaited in the Appalachian tradition onto each handle.
Once the specific broom style is chosen, the appropriate stitching and hand sewing is applied with an artistic flair. The plaiting is then sealed with an additional coat of lacquer for protection, and the broom is finished off with a leather hanging strap to insure proper storage of the broom.
All OAT brooms bear their maker’s mark and come with a Lifetime Warranty.
