For those of you with sharp memories, you may remember that my coworkers and I made gnome ornaments together last year for our staff Christmas party. This year, we ended up doing another craft workshop! We were hosted at Our Social, an adorable retail store/co-working space, and made the cutest keychain wristlet with the help of a local company, Journey Tree.
- 16 x 19mm silicone or wood beads
- 35” of 1.5mm nylon cord
I loved seeing how my coworkers and I pulled together different colour combinations that really reflected everyone’s personality. Many of us gravitated toward blues, neutrals, and cooler tones, but it was fun to see the brighter pops of colour mixed in there as well. It was tricky not to overthink the combinations, but I found it helpful to build the bracelet without tying the knot. That way, I could see the finished product without committing to it. Alicia, from Journey Tree, was also available to provide helpful advice about colour combinations and patterning, which was helpful.
The internet can make the world seem so small, as I was able to track down the provided printed silicone beads on the Cara & Co. site! I guess this must be where Journey Tree sources her materials from. I appreciated the engraved Journey Tree keychains and their encouraging mantra: “You are loved. You are supported. You are enough.” Alicia originally started Journey Tree after struggling with infertility, and continues to donate a portion of her proceeds towards supporting women, mothers, and families. It is so beautiful to see women encouraging others in these difficult phases of life.
My coworker and I kept laughing about how we chose very similar colours AND had both recently gotten welded bracelets as well. We ended up taking a picture together by one of the accent walls in the space, which was a bold black colour. I hope that Our Social ends up being a success, as I feel like it adds an elegant touch to the local establishments. Unfortunately, The Hive Creative Collective from last year’s Christmas party has already closed. It must feel like such a gamble to launch a small business, but you never know until you try.
While I loved the making experience, I do have one complaint about the silicone beads. Unfortunately, they pick up hair very easily. If you have any pets, their hair will likely stick to the beads. Water will get the hair off the silicone easily, but it is just another step that can be a hassle to deal with. What do you use to hold your keys? Have you ever made a wristlet like this?
Until next time, happy crafting!