MORE DETAILS TBA!
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“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field: I will meet you there.”
— Rumi
Join traditional craftsperson and broom maker Cynthia Main of Sunhouse Craft for an immersive Spring creative retreat celebrating crafting directly from the land, and enjoy curated stay at Hotel Svala, nestled in the serene Åland Islands.
Over the course of this hands-on retreat,we will explore the transformation of humble, natural materials into beautifully functional objects. With deep roots in Appalachian craft traditions and a reverence for sustainability, Cynthia’s practice honors slow, intentional making—offering a grounding introduction to broom making as both an art and a meditative act.
Across several days, you’ll:
Learn traditional broom making techniques with Cynthia, including hand-tying, stitching, and shaping, while creating your own hand brooms and whisk brooms in the mornings, with a focus on natural fibers in the craft.
Walk the island trails and shorelines, gathering natural materials and observing the textures and rhythms of the land
Craft little brooms and besoms from gathered materials in the afternoons, using techniques learned in the morning sessions
Explore the history of practical objects made using what is on hand, both here, and abroad.
Our days will be shaped by the changing light of the archipelago, shared meals, music, cocktails, and the calming beauty of Hotel Svala’s interiors and curated collections. We’ll work with thoughtfully sourced materials—including broomcorn and heritage fibers—and incorporate foraged elements that reflect the landscape’s seasonal richness.
This retreat offers a space for both focused learning and quiet reflection, all in a setting designed to encourage connection—between hands and materials, between people and place. Whether you’re an experienced maker or simply curious about traditional handcraft, this is an invitation to slow down, notice, and create with purpose.
More course detail to come…..
sunhouse craft
Sunhouse Craft was started by artist / maker Cynthia Main as a place to combine her foundation in woodworking and traditional craft with a strong desire to find sustainable and harmonious ways of working. A passionate lover of nature, she devotes much of her work in the business to helping create a more verdant and connected future through sourcing and providing meaningful work. She has been making brooms since 2013, and working as a maker / builder / artist / gardener and farmer for more than two decades.
