Making your own brushes can be such fun!  It is inexpensive, easy and really a creative endeavour.

I’ve written about making brushes and how I gather roadkill – Click Here to read.

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
These are brushes that I have previously made from roadkill in Texas – fox tail, raccoon tail, wild boar, deer, etc.

Handmade brushes can be strictly functional or can be more artistic in design.

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
These are examples of more artistic brushes and dippers for use in glazing pottery.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
This photo shows the curvy, curvy vine from which I hung these lovely creations.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
The addition of decoration yarn, silk or fabric can make these brushes extra special.

I decided to host a Brush Making Workshop to teach others how to make brushes, but also as a collaborative effort to make brushes for ceramics.

Making your own brushes can be such fun!
Brush handles can be made from bamboo, but also from any other “stick”.
Making your own brushes can be such fun!
Lots of tools and necessary equipment to make the brushes were provided.
Making your own brushes can be such fun!
A box of op shop Barbies provided some much needed “hair/fur” as roadkill in Australia was in short supply.

It was really amazing how creative and hard-working everyone was –

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo and Kym made some very creative brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Terese and Vicci keeping it busy.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
This mother-daughter combo, Renee and Christine, smashed it!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Claire’s creativity was unbounded!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Tara and Diane worked dilligently (and chatted!).
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Christine enjoying the process.

Everyone worked diligently on their brush creations – individually and cooperatively.

Making your own brushes can be such fun!
Terese and Vicci collaborating-Tara and Diane in the background.
Making your own brushes can be such fun!
Anna working hard.
Making your own brushes can be such fun!
Lucy and Renee creating!

Their creativity was boundless!

A 4 – wheel drive across the property took us to the bamboo grove and to other areas that had plenty of “brush handle” possibilities.

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Loaded in the back of the ute for a ride to the bamboo grove.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Some got to ride inside!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Loaded!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Terese cutting bamboo for brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo, Christine, and Lucy gathering bamboo.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo, Tara and Christine looking for brush handle possibilities.
Kym foraging!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Our HUGE bamboo grove – and Claire looking on.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Our foraging walk.

Back at the barn, everyone got stuck right back into making brushes!

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Working.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Anna on the drill – one always needs to know how to use tools!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Kym!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Terese concentrating on her brush making.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Creativity PLUS!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Terese drilling it!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo thinking it through.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Claire gained confidence and expertise in using a Dremel tool – so cool!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
The yarn, scarf, bead table was filled with decorative items for the brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Anna’s brushes were made with fur/hair from her dog’s bum!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo got very creative and designed some brushes from local fauna – amazing.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Diane made brushes from a lock of her own hair.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Vicci creating!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Lucy and Christine creating!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Samantha Scout enjoying being petted and feed by the girls!

The final results of everyone’s day of brush making were pretty incredible.  Here they are!

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Diane’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Tara’s brushes with ceramic handles.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo’s brushes.
Jo’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Anna’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Renee’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Lucy’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Christine’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Terese’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Vicci’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Kym’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Claire’s feather brush.

I don’t think anyone will be able to look at sticks without thinking “brushes” or “roadkill” and not think, “STOP”.  It’s an addictive little sport!

It was a great workshop – very laid back and cruisy – but also very productive!

It will be interesting to see what everyone does with their brushes and if they make more!

I, personally, can’t wait to start mark making on my pots!

Happy potting to you all,

Marian