Heirloom Hand Brushes

Using locally sourced hardwoods and tampico fibers, sustainably derived from Mexico’s high altitude, Agave Lechuguilla cactus, students will craft beautiful, one-of-a-kind brushes. With a wide variety of possible shapes and styles, students will design their handles and bristle hole placement, before cutting and shaping their selected wood. Dan will demonstrate how to create a bristle template or jig, unique to each student’s design, to use for drilling the handles and assembling the tampico bundles needed to create bristles.

With instruction in safe use of a jig saw, band saw, belt sander, and carving knives, students will practice using both power tools and hand tools to shape their handles. Once handles are shaped and a wood finish is applied, Dan will guide the class through the process of gluing tampico bundles into the pre-drilled holes to complete their brushes. Students will leave class with at least one finished brush, and a foundational understanding of woodworking tools and techniques.

All materials, equipment, and personal protective equipment provided. No experience necessary.