About this speaker
Erin Simons of Laurel Ridge Studios is a craftswoman, historical interpreter, and educator from Southwest Virginia. Erin offers education through the historical interpretation of traditional Appalachian Broom Making demonstration, as well as broom making classes and workshops. Erin offers whisks and brooms bound by hand, start to finish, and woven with a non-electric process. Many of the handles are harvested in the woods behind her studio and traditional Appalachian crafting techniques are applied when constructing each piece. Her brooms are created to carry on the tradition and culture of Appalachia, as well as, to create beautiful and functional pieces of art that help instill a sense of joy and beauty in common everyday tasks.
