Virtual Crafting Together in Modern Times, for Kids and Adults

Being Aunt Katie is one of my biggest joys. Every month or so during the pandemic, I’ve sent my 5-year-old niece a “box of fun” in an effort to span the nearly 2,000 miles between us. These boxes have contained creativity supplies from stickers to coloring books to Play-Doh and, of course, beads. I love putting the boxes together and, in fact, I’m not sure who looks forward to the boxes more, her or me!

ABOVE: Cupcake Club Crafts

Virtual Crafting with Friends

As a way to cope with remote school and their stay-at-home lifestyles, my sister and a few of her friends set aside an hour each week for their preschoolers to craft together via Zoom. The Cupcake Girls make a project together or work on their own crafts and hang out. My sister says the virtual crafting has helped add to the structure of the week and the girls look forward to meeting and catching up with their friends.

I was recently invited to be a guest at the girls’ craft club meeting. The whole process was so fun! I loved thinking about potential projects and planning a little kit for each Cupcake. My niece asked for “real” beads, which I interpreted as glass or something other than plastic. I chose large-hole beads and some stretchy cording so it would be easy for the girls to make necklaces with minimal help from their grown-ups.

Wishing Necklaces

As we chatted while the girls were logging into the virtual crafting meeting, one of the Cupcakes told me, “I like doing all kinds of art. But necklaces are my favorite!” I couldn’t agree more. Necklaces are easy because we can knot the ends and slip the necklace over our heads. We talked about safety measures, such as don’t put the necklace in your mouth, don’t sleep with the necklace, and general supervision while wearing the necklace. Together, we made beaded strands with colorful tassels, mini bauble charms, large-hole Czech candy loops, and stretchy dark neon cord. The assembly was quick and easy and the girls love their necklaces.

I felt like we needed a little something extra once the necklaces were assembled so I suggested that each girl whisper a wish into her glass bauble charm. This led to some fun conversations. “I’m not telling anyone my wish!” said one Cupcake. “Last time I told my wish, it didn’t come true!” After wishing for a real, live unicorn, my niece also wished for “the germs to be gone soon.” We all agreed that we hope their wishes come true very soon. In the meantime, it’s so special to get together online.

Raised by a Maker

I like sharing beads with a story with the girls. I’m already cooking up an alphabet bead name necklace for their next virtual crafting time. Plus, I’ve been hoarding some special ceramic Peruvian donut beads that will add a touch of extra sweetness. We’ll also string a few vinyl beads for colorful flair. (My niece recently informed me that she is the Recycling Girl so those vinyl beads will give us a chance to talk about making your own beads from stuff around the house.) I might include a shark key chain, some Mardi Gras beads and other little trinkets, just for fun.

Were you raised by a maker? Or are you passing your crafting legacy onto other adults and children in your life? Some of my first jewelry projects were friendship bracelets and macramé jewelry made with help from my mother. Former Interweave Director of Books, Kerry Bogert, asked her daughter Lauren what it feels like to be raised by a maker. Lauren’s pros and cons are priceless. I’m sure my children would say many of the same things! Either way, her list made me smile.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next craft club meeting, there are tons of ideas for adults and children in the Interweave Store. Get tips for making stretchy tassel bracelets and more on the blog. Or revisit 31 Ways to be Creative for National Craft Month. Whether you’re getting together in person or crafting together online, I hope you’re creating special moments crafting with people you love.

Happy beading,
Katie Hacker, Beadwork Editor and Jewelry Artist podcast host