DIY: Witch’s Broom
October 25, 2016
I have been thinking about and planning this project for several years now. I knew I wanted to add a witch’s broom to my front door decor, but being the picky person that I am, couldn’t find the perfect one. So, after finally giving up on my search, I decided to make my own. Isn’t that what any self respecting DIY-er would do?
I started by purchasing a 2×8 long piece of wood. This simple task proved to be harder than it sounds. While searching for the perfect piece, another piece fell from the top rafters and hit Logan in the ankle, resulting in a trip to the ER and a few stitches. A few days later we were back at it though and Logan was not wearing his flip flops this time. 🙂
After purchasing the 2×8, I then drew the outline of my broom onto the wood and Logan cut it out with a jigsaw.
Then I took an electric sander and started sanding my heart out to round the edges. When you think you’re done sanding, sand some more. Don’t stop sanding until your hand cramps up and you have to stop. Then begin sanding the next day. Then repeat.
After finally putting my sander to rest, I stained the wood with some leftover stain we had around the house.
Next, I purchased two bundles of straw from Hobby Lobby to use for the brush portion of my broom. After a little bit of trial and error, I placed 3/4 of one bundle around the end of the broom first, and secured it with two zip ties.
I then placed the second bundle, along with the rest of the first, over top of the first bundle. This gave my broom more volume and made it look much thicker. I used wider and much longer zip ties on the top layer. The extra length allowed me to only use one zip tie for each section, making it easier to conceal.
I then wrapped some rope around each zip tie, using hot glue to secure it, making sure to keep the zip tie ends toward the back of my broom for visual purposes.
And that’s it! A few days (more like weeks with kids) of work and you’ve got yourself a custom witch’s broom! I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out. It was the perfect addition to our Halloween door!
Looks fabulous am hoping to do this for a Halloween party!! Thank you
Thank you, Mary! Hope your party was boo-tiful!
All your creativity paid off as IMHO, you did a fantastic job! As did a lawn witch silhouette who holds a broom a few years ago, can relate how difficult it is to find an authentic looking one … . I ended up using a good size branch (with a lot of character) from an old Oak tree that one of my neighbours had to cut down. I stripped off its bark, painted it black then added layers of faux like-palm for its head portion by first boring a hole in its end then tying and stacking (similar to what you did) but don’t think it can stand up on its own like yours using the hay. (I must try it.) -Brenda-
P.S.: I hope no one stole it on you.
I did try to search in the woods for the perfect stick but just couldn’t find the perfect one. You know the struggle is real! Thank you for your sweet comment!
I can’t think of enough words to describe how awesome your witch broom turned out. Amazing, beautiful, Creative.
You are too kind! Thank you so much, Letia! It was definitely a labor of love!
This is the best broom making tutorial I have yet to find!!!! Thank you!
So glad that it helped you, Sue! Please share a picture of yours if you end up making one!
This is a beautiful design! Love the curve at the top. It really makes it unique. I just came across this and WOW! Wish i had the tools to build one. You really did a great job?
Thank you, Karen! It definitely took some help from my husband in cutting the design out. My daughter has really enjoyed “riding” around on it this year!
Awesome idea! It looks very nice.
Thank you, Rommel!
Love it wanting to make one too
Thanks a bunch, Belinda! Hope you had success with yours! I’d love to see a picture if you made one!
What an amazing broom-! Love it – you did a great job. Regards, Kris
Thank you so much, Kris! My daughter had a blast “riding” around on it this Halloween!
Wow, Logan is a keeper! I can’t get my spousal unit to engage with my creative (he thinks superfluous and silly) plans! He also is not a sharer of his tools! My dream is now my own shed and own tools. No boys allowed!
Who knew at some point in my life I would look longingly at power tools!
Love the broom! I had a hard time figuring how you did the handle. From a 2×8 board!!! Now that is a serious commitment to sanding! Congratulations! The final product is crazy cool!
He sure is! He doesn’t like to admit it, but he likes when I have a project for him. Touching his tools though, not so much! lol
I have been looking for a witches broom just like the ones you make. Do you sell them? Please let me know because they are hard to find. Maybe you would know where they do have them like yours. Yours is very authentic.
Thank you so much! I don’t sell them unfortunately. I made this one after not being able to find one that I liked in stores. Hope this tutorial will help you create one you love!
Awesome work! Love it!!
Thank, Sher!
[…] DIY Witch’s Broom– Sincerely Sarah Anne […]
I love your broom. I have a sister witch that appreciates Halloween as much as I do and I am going to use your totorial to gift her one next year. I have a suggestion to help reduce the hours of sanding. Before using the sander use a small block plane to “knock” the edges off. You will be amazed by how much faster it eats away at the wood.
Great tip! Hope she loves it!
I saved this post hoping to get it done. Having my own tools helped. Right now, my hands are tired from using the jig saw and some sanding. I’ll continue tomorrow. Thanks for a great idea!! Happy Haunting!!!!????
You are so welcome! Comment back with a picture when you’ve finished. Can’t wait to see how yours turns out!
Hello what kind of straw did u purchase at hobby lobby I do not see it
Hi Corrin! Unfortunately, it’s been 5 years since I made this and I didn’t take a picture of what I purchased at the time. Hope you can find something similar!
I used a large branch from a downed tree…quite simple.. it was in the back “yard”…. the rest was fairly simple… no sanding… I too, used zip ties, the wrapped with jute… the broom itself is over 6 feet tall… I put metal dowel like posts in the ground and fastened again with zip ties so the broom would stand secure…. blew 45 mph the other night and she is still there.. I used solar lights to make it visible at night…. its a cool piece
Securing it to the ground with posts was a great idea! I usually just lean mine up against the front door but I may try this if I ever relocate it. Thanks for sharing!