Handcrafted brooms for everyday rituals
- Alyssa transforms humble materials into decorative and functional works of art
- Her practice draws on folklore, mythology and witchcraft
- She seeks to create brooms with an artistic and colourful sensibility
Alyssa Blackwell enrolled in her first broom making class during a moment of transition, having stepped away from her career as a graphic designer to care for her growing family. She became obsessed with the ritual not only of making brooms, but also of using them to clear and shift energy in her home. “Using a beautiful broom makes an everyday act feel much more meaningful and grounding,” she says. Departing from the simple Shaker-style brooms that define the American tradition, Alyssa crafts brooms that reflect a more artistic approach, incorporating vivid colours, intricate twisting and weaving techniques, and even elements like flowers and bone fragments. She shares her skills and passion by hosting regular virtual broom making workshops for students in France, Australia and beyond.
Interview
- How did you discover your craft?
- I grew up going to the weekly market in my hometown of Eugene, Oregon, where a craftsman sold his handmade brooms. I remember being intrigued by him and the idea of buying something handmade versus the synthetic options at the supermarket. Much later in my life, I took a broom making class in Portland and my journey began.
- What life lesson have you learned from your practice?
- It is really fun to play in the space between letting the broom do what it wants, respecting its materiality, shape and natural imperfections, while doing everything in my control to make the finished product as impeccable as possible. I have learned to let go of the notion that things need to be done a certain way to be good.
- Where do you find your inspiration?
- I find inspiration everywhere, from witchcraft and personal experiences to the symbolism of the seasons. I have even made a broom inspired by the figure of the Cailleach in Welsh mythology. Sometimes the inspiration comes from wanting to work with a particular colour or technique and seeing where it takes me.
- Do you aim to convey a message through your work?
- I think there is a tendency to view art, and, to a certain extent, craft, as something to be appreciated passively at a distance. But when you interact with art, you build a much deeper and personal relationship with it. My brooms are worthy of being displayed, but they are also designed to be used in a way that enriches your life.
Alyssa Blackwell is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2018 and she started teaching in 2020
Where
Alyssa Blackwell
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