Christopher Robbins
Brodhead, KY
Website: http://www.broomsbychris.com
Somerset Community College graduate Christopher Robbins makes handcrafted brooms and mops. Chris has been making brooms since he was 14-years old. Now Robbins is a full-time broomsquire with a degree in business management from SCC. Robbins’ broom making began almost by accident when Chris and his father helped move a group of log cabins, known as the “BitterSweet Cabins” to the famous country music venue at Renfro Valley. He then had the good fortune of meeting Jim Harmon, a master broom craftsman from Springfield, KY. Harmon was excited to find someone so young and interested in the dying art of broom making. He has been very instrumental in helping Chris obtain the equipment and skills needed to start his business. Recently, someone gave Robbins an old log cabin that belonged to his ancestors. He is in the process of restoring the cabin which will one day house his business. The Kentucky Crafted Marketing Program juried Chris in June of 2002 as one of the youngest craftsman to be awarded this honor. Chris makes his handcrafted broom items with a great deal of love and care. They are both functional and decorative works of art. His brooms are created one at a time using machines and methods dating back to the 1800s.