All
besoms are handcrafted by Talisman, who is fast becoming
known all around the world. Apart from the
US he has shipped his handcrafted items to Canada, Sweden, Switzerland,
Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Spain, Italy, France,
and Singapore! The besoms are not "bought in and sold on"
as is the usual case with many so-called "handcrafted"
items available elsewhere. In this day and age of mass-production
finding high-quality traditionally handcrafted items is almost impossible.
To
make one of these besoms the branch itself for the shaft is selected
from one of our own trees and only branches that have been offered (nothing
is cut from the tree) are taken. The branch is cut to length, all
stubs removed and the bark is stripped. It is then allowed to dry
which can take anything up to 10 days.
At
this point it undergoes a creation ritual. Once completely dry the
branch is sanded with three different grades of sandpaper.
The symbol(s) if applicable, are then burnt in place with a hand iron and the wood
stain applied. Once dry the first of between 3 and 5 coats of protective
finish are applied. In between each coat the surface has to be scrubbed
with a fine steel wool.
The besom is then ritually blessed. The final consecration (instructions
supplied) should only be done by the owner. The whole process takes
2 weeks of work! As each besom is unique the picture shown is for
illustration purposes only but is indicative of the actual besom
you will receive. |