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about the broom maker
I grew up in a small farming community in South Dakota. After graduating from college, I spent eighteen years in Minnesota before making Des Moines, Iowa, my home in 1996. Iowa has been where I have planted roots, built a life, and pursued the work that brings me the greatest joy.
Long before sustainability became fashionable, I learned that every material deserved a second life. My grandmother and mother taught me that resourcefulness was not simply economical—it was a way of honoring both creation and the people who would come after us.
My love of traditional craftsmanship began at my grandmother's treadle sewing machine. Long before I understood words like sustainability or upcycling, I watched her transform worn clothing into something beautiful. She taught me that skilled hands, patience, and imagination could give ordinary materials a second life. Those lessons have stayed with me ever since.
She was exceptionally talented, deeply humble, and unwavering in her faith. Having survived the Great Depression and lost her own mother at the age of seven, she developed a quiet resilience that shaped every part of her life. She became my greatest advocate, my encourager, and my safe place during difficult seasons.
Although she passed away in 1998, she continues to inspire me every day. Her
example reminds me to live with gratitude, persevere through challenges, and pursue the passions that bring meaning to life. If there is kindness or craftsmanship reflected in my work, much of it began with her.
My mother inherited my Grandma's creativity and resourcefulness. She, too, is an extraordinary seamstress, creating beautiful garments from discarded coats and dresses. I still treasure Barbie clothes she lovingly made from my father's old socks. Those tiny dresses remind me that beauty does not come from abundance—it comes from imagination, skill, and love.
Growing up in that environment taught me to see potential where others see something to be discarded. Today I continue to embrace those same principles, believing that repairing, repurposing, and creating are meaningful ways to care for both our resources and the generations that will follow.
I consider myself an ever-evolving artisan. My broomcorn brooms and Tampico brushware are rooted in traditional craftsmanship passed down through generations. While I deeply respect the history of these utilitarian tools, I also enjoy exploring their artistic possibilities.
Natural materials, subtle color, and organic textures allow me to honor the past while creating pieces that feel equally at home in modern living spaces.
My commitment to stewardship extends beyond the workshop. In 2015, my husband and I became beekeepers, believing that caring for honey bees is one small way to give back to Mother Nature. Whether tending a hive or binding a broom, I find joy in preserving traditions that remind us to live thoughtfully and leave the land better than we found it.
Handcrafted objects have a remarkable way of carrying stories. They outlive trends, gather memories, and are often passed from one generation to the next. That is my greatest hope—that something I create will become part of someone else's story, bringing beauty, usefulness, and quiet joy for many years to come.
Thank you for visiting. I hope you find something here that speaks to you and serves you well for decades to come.
Val Just
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