Rosa Harradine

Brush maker

Taming bristles and rekindling with an ancient craft

Rosa harvests broom handle wood from her own forest
Her craft involves woodwork and geometric stitching patterns
She teaches broom and brush making workshops

With her workshop in a restored house dating back 200 years, Rosa Harradine crafts contemporary brooms and brushes that honour traditional techniques. After graduating from Goldsmiths College in 2015, she explored various crafts before discovering broom making in 2021. Today, Rosa harvests hazel and willow from her own woodland nearby, selecting stems based on natural curves and grain patterns. Each piece begins with careful fibre preparation: sorting broomcorn into seven different grades and soaking it to achieve optimal flexibility. Rosa relies on techniques shared by Shaker craftspeople and European broom makers. To complete a brush, she binds the fibres with thread in precise geometric patterns, taking up to one hour to complete the decorative stitching alone. Her work has earned recognition from TOAST New Makers 2022.

Interview

Where do you find your inspiration?: I harvest hazel and willow from my local woodland during winter when the sap is down. The natural curves of each wooden piece inform the final design. The Welsh landscape influences my colour choices with its deep forest greens and browns that I like to contrast with bright thread work.
How do you choose the materials for your creations?: I use plant-based fibres for making my brooms and brushes. This is a conscious choice. Animal hair is an option, but most of it is produced in China in questionable conditions, so plant-based fibres are a better choice for me, ethically and environmentally.
When did you open your own workshop?: In 2023 I bought a 200-year-old house that had a derelict workshop in the back garden. The house was owned by a funeral director and the workshop was used for making coffins. Since then, I have renovated the workshop and it is now a bright, beautiful space.
What is the most important skill needed to practise your craft?: Attention to detail. My work is very precise, and I take pride in how neat and exacting I am. It takes a lot of concentration, practice, and high standards, but I think that this is what sets my work apart from others'.

Rosa Harradine is a rising star: she began her career in 2021 and she started teaching in 2022