Art Brooms

The Carol Duvall Show cameras visit Ralph and Marlow Gates, a father-and -son team who have been making brooms for over 20 years. Using natural wood handles and broomcorn, they make each broom by hand with techniques that date to the 1790s.

Each broom is a unique, functional piece of sculpture, incorporating traditional Appalachian strength and longevity. The handles have been intricately carved and the broomcorn woven to create brooms that hang in galleries and museums rather than sweep floors.

The process of creating the brooms begins by choosing the wood handle. Most of the wood is gathered from their valley. The handle is carved for beauty but, more importantly, each handle must fit inside the hand comfortably. It's sanded and then sealed for durability. Next the broomcorn is attached to the handle and then designs are woven at the top of the broom sweep.

Guests
Ralph & Marlow Gates
Founder of Friendswood Brooms
Leicester, NC
Phone: 828-683-9521
Also in this Episode

Carol Duvall Show : Episode CDS-1213
•	Vest Explosion Cards
•	Art Brooms
•	Dimensional Wall Art
•	Shoebox: Cutting Lines