🌿 Such a lovely morning as 8 embarked on our brush making craft course at our farm nestled in the serene countryside of Surrey. 🌻 Surrounded by the beauty of nature, we delved into the art of crafting traditional Tampico fibre wooden brushes and rush cord.

History of brushmaking

Brushmaking is a traditional craft for centruries. Brushes, in various forms, have been a part of human history for thousands of years. The oldest archaeological findings of brushes date back to 3000-3500 BC, a toothbrush discovered in an Egyptian tomb. Norfolk became famous for making brushes. If you’re interested in finding out more, Amy recommends The Story of Brushmaking: A Norfolk Craft - Book by Mervyn Gordon Jones and The brushmaker and the secrets of his craft: his romance. Book by William Kiddier. A leopold classic library book.

Choosing our foraged wooden handles

The wood for our brushes is lovingly foraged by Amy in advance. They’re sustainably sourced and she only selects naturally fallen branches. The optimum branch size is approximately 1.5cm in diameter & 30 cm long.

Then we made holes for the Tampico. fibres. Rekindling traditional woodwork skills many of us hadn’t used for years.

Then it was onto securing the Tampico brush fibres, making the rush cordage and cutting the brush fibres to length. All traditional techniques used, like they did years ago, so no power tools were used!!

🎨 Lovely to learn skills passed down over generations, and since then, cleaning has never been more satisfying for our 8 crafters! 🙌 With every stroke of the brush, we can now feel a connection to the past, a reverence for the skills that have been honed over time.

💚 The farm's peaceful surroundings served as the perfect backdrop for our creative journey. The warble of the bird song infusing our brushes with a touch of nature's magic.

✨ And now, as we hold our handmade brushes in our hands, a sense of accomplishment washes over us. We no longer view cleaning as a mundane chore, but rather as a mindful act of love and care. Each stroke of the brush is a gentle caress, a tribute to the craftsmanship and the earth that sustains us.

🌟 This experience has reminded us of the beauty that lies in simplicity, the power of connecting with our roots. It has taught us that even the most ordinary tasks can become extraordinary when infused with passion and a touch of artistry.

🌿 So here's to treasuring tradition and embracing the wonders of nature! Let us all find joy in the little things, weaving our own stories with every brushstroke. 🌸💫

Thanks to Any Leake from Woodmungler who taught us these skills