Laffing Horse Crafts

Now, this is a besom!

It’s a one-of-a-kind hand-tied besom broom featuring a twisted handle harvested sustainably from the hardwood forests of the Arkansas Ozarks.

The besom is tied out of three layers of full broomcorn stalks. The first two layers are trimmed on the top and bound tightly to the handle with 17 gauge wire. The final layer is bound with 3-ply, 89-pound test jute twine. The binding on the final layer is called plaiting. It is a form of weaving or braiding. Finally, the broom is wrapped with multiple turns of the same jute and a lovely, reinforcing cream twine stitching. The stitching is also in a spiral designed to accent to twist in the handle.

These sticks occur naturally as a vine – usually a honeysuckle vine – will attempt to grow around a sapling, and the sapling tries to outgrow the vine. In this case, the vine won against a sweet gum sapling. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 48% [?]

I wanted a challenge, so Jen suggested I do a smaller hook. And I did!

This is a size F (3.75 mm) turned out of a lovely piece of black walnut, but it’s got a little extra elegance added in. Between the sleek tapers to the shaft and again to the end, there’s a small embellished grip. At the end, there’s a very fine captive ring (some call this a jingle ring). Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 36% [?]

Random Orbits – Triple captive ring, cherry, size I crochet hook

Popularity: 32% [?]