In a world where plastic dominates store shelves and mass-produced items arrive in bulk, there’s something uniquely special about choosing a handmade broom. These functional, everyday objects are steeped in history, crafted with intention, and designed to last. At Mudd House Mercantile, we proudly showcase two exceptional examples: the Hen’s Wing Broom and the Whisk Broom, each thoughtfully created by the artisan behind Please Send Word.
Handmade brooms aren’t just cleaning tools—they’re a beautiful intersection of craftsmanship, sustainability, and living traditions that continue to sweep their way into modern homes.
Please Send Word: A Broom Maker with Purpose
The artistry behind Please Send Word is rooted in small-batch craftsmanship and a love for traditional broom making. Each broom is handmade using carefully selected natural materials, creating functional pieces that are just as worthy of display as they are of use.
The maker behind Please Send Word approaches broom making with reverence for its history and a desire to create objects that are both practical and beautiful. The name itself, Please Send Word, evokes an invitation to slow down, share stories, and remember the tactile joy of handmade goods in a fast-paced, digital world.
Meet the Broom Maker
Behind Every Broom Is an Artist.
Amanda Lee Lazorchack, founder of Please Send Word, is a dedicated broom maker, educator, and storyteller. Over the past 15 years, she’s crafted and shared art around the world under her gentle and evocative moniker—"Please Send Word"—reflecting her belief in communication, memory, and care through objects.
Her brooms aren’t just functional tools—they’re sculptural pieces that explore themes of domesticity, skill, and narrative. As she puts it, “my work explores the humble object—the role of domesticity & gender & dignity through work… broom as sculpture, tool, and story.” pleasesendword.com.
The History of Broom Making
Broom making, or broomcraft, is an ancient tradition that spans continents and cultures. Some of the earliest brooms were made by binding twigs, reeds, or straw to sticks—functional, though far from durable. According to Broomcorn and Broom Making by James M. Young (1994), broom making as we know it today evolved significantly with the introduction of broomcorn.
The transformation of broom making as a craft is largely credited to the discovery and cultivation of broomcorn (Sorghum vulgare), a stiff, fibrous plant ideally suited for sweeping. According to the Encyclopedia of American Folk Art (2004), broomcorn was introduced to North America in the mid-1700s and quickly revolutionized broom design with its resilience and flexibility.
In the 19th century, the Shakers, a religious community known for their innovation and simplicity, developed the flat broom—a design that remains popular today for its efficient sweeping motion. The Shaker Broom is often recognized as one of their many practical inventions that emphasized both utility and beauty (Shaker Design, The Bard Graduate Center, 1997).
The Shakers were meticulous craftsmen, and their contribution to broom design not only improved functionality but elevated the humble broom into an enduring icon of American folk art.
By the late 1800s, broom making had become a significant cottage industry in the United States. Handcrafted brooms were sold at local markets and fairs, often becoming treasured household items valued not just for their utility, but for their craftsmanship (Young, 1994).
Handmade Brooms: Where Function Meets Art
There’s something deeply satisfying about using an item that’s been made by hand, especially when it’s as familiar as a broom. It’s a simple tool, but in the right hands, it becomes a thing of beauty.
Hen’s Wing Broom: Practical Elegance
The Hen’s Wing Broom from Please Send Word is crafted in a classic winged shape, its fibers fanning out like a bird in flight. It’s perfect for sweeping tabletops, countertops, or hard-to-reach spaces like window ledges and porch steps. With its natural texture and elegant shape, the Hen’s Broom is as comfortable hanging on your wall as it is sweeping your home.
Whisk Broom: Compact and Reliable
The Whisk Broom is a small, handheld broom designed for quick, efficient cleanups. Perfect for brushing off work surfaces, cleaning potting benches, or even tidying up your car, the whisk broom is a practical, portable tool. Its small size makes it ideal for keeping close at hand, and the tight, skillful binding ensures durability over time.
Both the Hen’s Broom and the Whisk Broom are hand brooms designed for everyday life, yet they carry the unmistakable beauty of handcrafted goods.
Hens Wing Broom
$65.00
A Handmade Broom That Sweeps in Style Who says cleaning can’t be beautiful? The Please Send Word Hens Wing Broom is a handcrafted broom that blends tradition with function, making sweeping a little more satisfying. Whether you're tackling everyday dust… read more
Whisk Broom
$50.00
Crafted with care in the USA by artist Amanda Lee Lazorchack at Please Send Word Brooms, the whisk broom is full of charm and packed with everyday cleaning power. If you’re wondering what is a whisk broom, think of it as… read more
The Tradition of the Wedding Broom
The handmade broom carries rich symbolism beyond daily chores—it has a special place in the cherished tradition of jumping the broom at weddings. This custom, which dates back centuries, is a meaningful ritual that continues to thrive in many cultures today.
The History of Jumping the Broom
The origin of jumping the broom is widely connected to African American wedding traditions, particularly during the time of slavery when enslaved people were often denied the legal right to marry. Jumping over a broom became a powerful, public declaration of commitment, love, and the joining of two lives. It symbolized sweeping away the old and stepping into a new beginning together.
While many associate the tradition with African American heritage, some historians also trace similar customs back to Celtic, Welsh, and Romani communities, where brooms were used in weddings to signify fertility, prosperity, and home protection (source: National Museum of African American History and Culture).
The Broom as a Wedding Keepsake
Today, many couples choose to incorporate a handmade broom into their ceremony to honor these historical roots, to celebrate cultural heritage, or simply to bring symbolic meaning to their union. The wedding broom often becomes a treasured keepsake, displayed in the home as a reminder of the vows made and the life shared.
Handcrafted brooms, like those from Please Send Word, make especially meaningful wedding brooms because of their artistry, quality, and handmade touch. Their natural materials and thoughtful construction turn them into heirloom pieces, perfect for passing down through generations.
Why Handmade Brooms Matter in Wedding Traditions
Selecting a handcrafted broom for your wedding ceremony adds depth to the ritual. It becomes more than a symbol—it’s a tangible connection to craftsmanship, history, and community. Supporting small broom makers like Amanda Lee Lazorchack ensures the tradition continues in an authentic and sustainable way.
The Heart of the Craft: Broomcorn and Traditional Materials
What makes a handmade broom so effective? It starts with broomcorn—the gold standard of broom making. Unlike synthetic bristles, broomcorn is a natural fiber that’s both stiff and flexible, perfect for gathering fine dust and large debris alike.
Why Broomcorn?
Broomcorn fibers naturally resist water and wear slowly, making them incredibly durable. Because they are biodegradable, they also offer an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic brooms that often end up in landfills. (Odell Corp)
In traditional broom making, the broomcorn is carefully sorted and trimmed, then bound tightly with cotton or hemp twine. Many small makers add colorful thread accents, not just for visual appeal, but as a signature of their craftsmanship.
Handles may vary—some broom makers use wooden handles, while others wrap the natural broomcorn stalks themselves to form the grip, creating a fully plant-based broom from top to bottom.
Handmade Brooms as Sustainable Living Tools
Choosing a handmade broom supports more than just a low-waste lifestyle. It’s a decision that embraces sustainable materials, small-batch production, and the longevity of well-made goods. Unlike plastic brooms that often need replacing, traditional brooms can last for years—sometimes decades—when properly cared for.
Small hand brooms like the Hen’s Wing Broom and Whisk Broom are compact and versatile, making them ideal for homes that prioritize functionality without sacrificing aesthetic value. These hand brooms are easy to grab, hardwearing, and perfect for everyday tasks.
Want to Learn How to Make a Broom?
If you’ve ever wondered how to make a broom, you’re not alone. Broom making is a craft that has been passed down through generations, and today, it’s experiencing a quiet resurgence among crafters and sustainability advocates.
Folk Schools and Craft Centers That Teach Broom Making:
John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina offers immersive broom making classes where participants can create both full-size and small hand brooms (source).
North House Folk School in Minnesota hosts workshops on traditional broom making, focusing on the art and history of the craft (source).
Appalachian Center for Craft in Tennessee includes broom making in its heritage craft programs, allowing students to create functional, beautiful brooms from scratch (source).
Learning how to make a broom connects you to centuries of tradition while providing a satisfying, hands-on experience.
More Than a Tool: Handmade Brooms as Home Décor
One of the most delightful aspects of a handcrafted broom is its ability to be both a practical tool and a decorative object. Many people choose to display their small hand brooms—whether it’s a Hen’s Broom, a whisk broom, or another handmade style—on the wall as a nod to traditional craftsmanship.
The natural fibers, carefully wrapped bindings, and distinct shapes all contribute to making these brooms visual showpieces. Whether tucked in a corner, hanging in a kitchen, or proudly displayed in an entryway, handmade brooms offer warmth and character to any space.
Supporting Small Broom Makers: Why It Matters
When you purchase a handmade broom from small makers like Please Send Word, you are directly supporting an artist who is preserving a traditional skill. Small broom makers typically source materials responsibly, often choosing sustainable suppliers or growing their own broomcorn.
Here’s why supporting small broom makers is important:
Sustains Artisan Communities: Keeps traditional craft alive and provides meaningful livelihoods.
Promotes Sustainable Materials: Handmade brooms often use natural, compostable components.
Reduces Mass-Produced Plastic Waste: Supports a low-waste lifestyle and minimizes landfill contributions.
Encourages Mindful Consumption: You’re buying something built to last, not made to be replaced.
The Lasting Joy of Handmade Brooms
When you choose a handmade broom, you’re embracing a slower, more intentional way of living. You’re choosing beauty, tradition, and function—all in one simple, well-made tool.
Whether you’re sweeping crumbs from your kitchen counter with a whisk broom, tidying your workshop with a Hen’s Wing Broom, or learning how to make a broom yourself, you’re participating in something meaningful. These traditional brooms remind us that even our most ordinary household tools can be thoughtfully made, deeply cherished, and worthy of celebration.
So next time you reach for a broom, choose one that tells a story—one that was made with care, one that was made to last.
Bring a Handmade Broom Into Your Home
Whether you’re drawn to the everyday beauty of a handmade broom, curious about the tradition of jumping the broom, or simply looking for thoughtfully crafted, eco-friendly products—you’re in the right place.
Visit Mudd House Mercantile to explore our collection of handcrafted brooms, including the Hen’s Wing Broom and Whisk Broom by Amanda Lee Lazorchack of Please Send Word.
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Thank you for supporting small businesses, traditional crafts, and a more sustainable way of living—one beautiful broom at a time.