There are two fantastic things about this DIY witch broom. 1. It's easy and free to make. 2. If you don't have a lot of storage space for things like Halloween decorations you can just compost it or burn it at the end of the season then make a new one next year.
Hi. I'm Karen. I long like walks on the beach, scented candles, and sharp things. Sticks, needles, knives sharp enough to cut the piggly off a wiggly ... that sort of thing.
Nothing makes a woman shine that Match.com smile like a Buck Knife and a sharp stick. You might wonder what I'm doing with a stick and a buck knife. And to you I say WELCOME because you must be new 'round here.
Everyone else is thinking "Oh, there's Karen with a knife and a stick. I wonder if she's teaching us to make a crossbow for shooting jelly beans."
I am not. Although that would be a reasonable guess.
What I am doing is making a witches broom.
There couldn't possibly be an easier Halloween craft. It's something you can do yourself or something you can pawn off on your kids. I'm not a parent, but I can tell you right now with my hand over my heart I'd be a terrible one. Reason number 1? I'd never let my kids do any crafts because, let's face it, they're kids ... they'll screw it up and it will be ugly. More than one child on this planet has wasted a whole whack of glue and sparkles on some hideous craft when both things could have been put to better use bedazzling a toaster.
But it's up to you. Maybe make it a two-parter. The kids hunt and gather the sticks and twigs and then you assemble it. And that's all this is. A dead branch for the broom handle and a bunch of twigs for the bristles.
I gathered all of mine after a big wind storm here in Southern Ontario. I should have put that in my Match profile. I also like big wind storms and gathering twigs.
DIY Witch Broom Halloween Decoration
Materials
1 branch apx. 3' long
twigs. Lots and lots of twigs.
rubber band
twine
1. Strip the bark off of the branch. If it's an old, dead branch the bark will peel off easily. To get the remaining bits off use your favourite knife. You don't HAVE to remove the bark, I just think the branch looks more interesting if you do.
2. Cut off any bumps and knots, especially around the bottom of the branch where you're going to attach your twigs so you have a smooth surface to attach your twigs to.
3. Wrap a thick elastic band around 5" up from the bottom of your branch. You're going to insert your twigs under it.
4. Stick your thin twigs under the elastic band at the base of the branch. Just keep shoving them in there until you have a nice, big, whack of twigs.
TIP
You can swap out the twigs for other materials for the broom portion. This would also look really good using wheat, rye or roadside dried grasses.
5. Lay the broom (because you now officially have a broom) on the ground and wind your twine around it. Once around where the elastic band is, and once a little below it. You need to pull the twine as tightly as possible. If you can't hear a few of the twigs cracking, you aren't doing it hard enough.
6. Display.
And don't forget that you can use different materials, it doesn't have to be what I use here.
What to use to make a witches broom.
The Handle
Stick, branch, cornstalk, actual broom handle, large vine
The Broom
Twigs, rye, wheat, dried roadside grasses, small vines, straw
TIP
A crooked handle looks way better for a witches broom than a perfectly straight one.
Now the rest of the creative process is in your hands. You can paint your broom black, cover it in glitter, leave it as is or hang it from a tree using fishing line so it looks like it's suspended in mid-air.
An Easy, Creepy, DIY Witches Broom for Halloween.
Easy, free and compostable! The DIY witches broom.
Materials
- 30"-36" branch
- twigs
- rubber band or zip tie
- string/sisal
Instructions
- Strip the bark off of the branch. If it’s an old, dead branch the bark will peel off easily. To get the remaining bits off use your favourite knife. You don’t HAVE to remove the bark, I just think the branch looks more interesting if you do.
- Cut off any bumps and knots, especially around the bottom of the branch where you’re going to attach your twigs so you have a smooth surface to attach your twigs to.
- Wrap a thick elastic band around 5″ up from the bottom of your branch. You’re going to insert your twigs under it.
- Stick your thin twigs under the elastic band at the base of the branch. Just keep shoving them in there until you have a nice, big, whack of twigs.
- Lay the broom (because you now officially have a broom) on the ground and wind your twine around it. Once around where the elastic band is, and once a little below it. You need to pull the twine as tightly as possible. If you can’t hear a few of the twigs cracking, you aren’t doing it hard enough.
- Display.
Notes
You can use other materials if you don't have a branch or twigs. Try using vines, wild grasses, wheat and rye.
My name's Karen. I like long walks on the beach, scented candles, wind storms and mummified cats. I also like mummified cats.
And hugs from legless skeletons.
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
Su
AWESOME!
Pam
Great idea! It made me smile. I will make this with my crafty granddaughter this week and I won't have to buy a thing. She will love it! And so will I. Thanks for the inspiration.
Mary W
My favorite broom! I bought a similar handmade one with woven base where the straw or whatever is attached. It is gorgeous and the straw has lasted 35 years! It was sold as a spider broom and since I live in the state of 1 foot spiders that crawl on my ceiling at night AND I'm afraid of them, I had to have the broom. It smacks them without a big rush of air that blows them sideways and out of harms way. Perfect for getting those arachnid made webs down from way up on high. So, with that said, I need to make a companion for it - your broom and will have so much fun with my granddaughter helping out. Your hugging spook is wonderful and will attempt it also since we go all out for this one magical night. I loved your porch floor - and I don't care what people think. It looks like lots of people have come to your front door - a self made welcome mat. But I guess the winter weather would do a number on the wood. Thanks for a peek at your decorations!
Mary W
Oh, I just adore your front post cat! That I need. Did you make it also in some DIY mold or buy it like the rest of us mere mortals would do?
Karen
The fella actually bought it a few years ago the day after Halloween at our local pharmacy, lol. He brought 2 of them home. LOVE them. ~ karen!
marilyn
love it but detest hallowe'en
jainegayer
Brilliant!!! My project for today. Much more fun than doing the laundry.
Barb
Inspiration galore! I'm making one this evening after I get home from work. Thanks!!!
Ev Wilcox
You obviously live in a magical (creepy)? neighborhood! The house across the street seems to phase in and out of reality. Cool! Nice broom, too! Thanks, Karen!
Kim C
Great black and white photos. You have inspired me yet again spooky lady! I'm going into my woods today a.s.a.p. to gather sticks and get this broom made. What fun.. You've put me in the Halloween spirit now so hugs to you Karen ;)
Christie
This is too fun! And I love the moody black and white photo shoot... Not to nag, but are you going to re-stain your front porch before winter??
Karen
No, I ran out of time. It took me until the middle of summer (closer to the end) to decide on a colour and then the weather didn't cooperate. So now it'll have to wait unless we get a few days in a row of agreeable temperatures and humidity. :/ ~ karen!
Paula
I like that idea, I think I will copy. Btw you have a lovely view from your front porch.
IRS
Pfffft. Why would I waste my time making this when both my mother and sister already each have one? I can borrow one of theirs, and they can just carpool together that day.
Jan in Waterdown
Hah! You crack me up! So are they card carrying members or just amateur wannabees?
IRS
Not just card-carrying, each of them could scare small children or curdle fresh milk, at 50 paces. Maybe 60. Even I am way too nice to join their covens.
Violet Rose
The last pic is gorgeous, very atmospheric and strangely beautiful. Halloween here is nowhere near as big as in your country, but seems to be growing fast. I think you should attempt your own sugar skull next. What say you? I do luff them so.
BaconBleuCheez
Nothing to do with Halloween, but one more big ol' hug for you and the rest of Canada, RIP Ken Taylor.
IRS
On behalf of all Canadians, thank you. For those of you who don't know who Ken Taylor was, think back to the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979. Ken Taylor was the diplomat who smuggled 6 Americans into the Canadian Embassy in Tehran, and kept them hidden there until he could get them out of Iran with fake Canadian credentials. He did this at great risk to himself and his staff from those extremist crazies. He died last week after a brief battle with colon cancer, at the age of 81. In 1980 he received the Congressional Gold Medal, a very rare honour for a non-American. He protested that the recent movie "Argo" all but ignored Canada's contribution to that event. So screw you, Ben Affleck. Go back to sleeping with your children's nanny, if you can't get the facts right.
Karen
Yes! ~ karen
Jody
Thank you for recognizing Ken Taylor
Jan in Waterdown
A big Canuck thank you BBC. We are so proud of Ken Taylor and humbled by his courage.
Lakh
I'm still trying to work out of that'd be a crossbow for shooting [i]at[/i] jelly beans, or a crossbow for shooting [i]with[/i] jelly beans. Or possibly if you could make a jelly bean shooting crossbow that was accurate enough to hit jelly beans...
Karen
It would do it all, this crossbow. ~ karen!
Sarah
I am soooooo in on the crossbow. Neighbors are already on Prozac after we did inertia experiments with raw eggs taped to Hot Wheels. Oh, and the booster rockets from Fuji canisters and Alka Seltzer, too, to be fair. Wait!! Raw eggs and crossbows!!!!! Dang, spouse says I am grounded from this blog, now.
MissChris from SA
That is an awesome broom and display.
However, I don't like anything creepy or scary - can't watch scary movies!
Halloween is not big here in SA - which is just as well - for scaredy cat me!
Milton
Piggly Wiggly was the first true self service grocery store, founded in Memphis, Tennessee by Clarence Saunders in 1916. His idea was so great, all other grocery stores changed to the same format shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, he lost control of his own company. All the Canadian Piggly Wiggly stores were sold to Canada Safeway, which merged with Sobeys in 2013. His mansion, known as the Pink Palace, is a museum in Memphis, in case you ever bring Betty and the gang back. Your pictures are really great, please let us know how you are dressing for Halloween.
Karen
Wish I'd known about the pink palace previous to this post! ~ karen
Cynthia Jones
I only arksed 'cos I imagine you cleaning up the mess perfectly and it went on from there.
Cynthia Jones
What kind of vacuum cleaner do you have?
I already told you about Dyson. Just naggin'.
Karen
I have a central vacuum. So a whole (OMG I really just spelled hole "whole") in the wall that you attach a hose to that magically sucks up everything. I bought it at Costco then installed it when I first moved into the house. I will never. I repeat never use anything else. I just swept the porch. No big whoop. ~ karen!
Cynthia Jones
Magic is good. Apparently Costco is as well. Yet to go.
Jan in Waterdown
OMG, CJ . . . you've never been to Costco? I go on a weekly basis and suffer withdrawal if I miss it. Plus I'm on a first name basis with many of the staff at my local warehouse and they ask if I miss a week. Oh dear. I think that may sound a little crazy/creepy. Oh well, don't care, I am well over 40!
Karen Too
I have some comments. Firstly, I love your scarf. Secondly, that cadaver hanging in the air is very cool. Thirdly, black and white photos are super creepy. Fourthly, do you live on Elm Street or what? What a great creepy looking neighbourhood you live in. Excellent!
Karen
I have some answers. Firstly. Thank you, me too. Secondly, thank you again, I didn't notice it until I looked at my photos. Thirdly, Yes they are. Fourthly. Indeed I do. ~ karen!
Tracy
Love it - you have inspired me to drag out the spooky décor! :) I also have a "hugging" wraith!