Description

Participants will learn how to make a functional tampico hand brush from start to finish. They will leave the workshop with at least one completed brush and, hopefully, the ability to make more. The workshop will begin with a discussion about the uses and applications of brushes, the sweeping fiber (tampico), and the handle stock (locally sourced hardwoods). After the introduction, we will select our handle stock and lay out our handle shape, as well as our bristle holes. Before cutting or shaping the handle, we will drill out the bristle holes. Using the same drill bit we used to drill the bristle holes, we will also make a template for assembling the tampico bundles needed for our sweeping bristles. Participants will be able to take home their own bristle template/jig. To shape the handle, we will use a combination of power tools and hand tools, including a jigsaw, bandsaw, belt sander, and carving knives. After shaping the handle, we will oil it, and while it dries, assemble our tampico bristles using the bristle jig. With the handle dry and our assembled bundles of tampico ready, we will glue them into the pre-drilled holes in our handle, completing the brush.