The school where my youngest daughter, Esther, goes organized a creamiddag (creative afternoon) a couple of weeks ago, where teachers and parents led groups of students in learning various crafts.

I volunteered to lead a group in making wrap bracelets (like the children’s bracelets, but bigger) and pompoms. I prepared enough supplies for eight kids, the maximum group size. And then no one picked my craft. Humph.

I was still asked to come and bring the supplies, and the teacher would be able to use me. She led me to a table with a group of 12-year-old boys who had not chosen anything. Apparently they would be making bracelets, whether they wanted to or not. Oh, joy.

I clipped a few rounds of memory wire for each boy, and opened the boxes of beads. I prepared for apathy.

“Can we use these?” They were excited. For real!

One got started on an early Mother’s Day gift. Another made a present for his little sister. (I have two older brothers and I can testify that neither of them, at the age of 12, ever thought of making anything for me. Just saying.)

I loved their creativity and enthusiasm. When they finished the first one, they asked if they could make more. They made three each before I ran out of memory wire. I wish I’d had my phone with me to take pictures.

These are the two bracelets I made to demonstrate and to work along with them:

 

 

The purple one stretched out (I have no idea why — maybe the memory wire was poor quality? Beads strung too tight?) so that is going to become part of a doll’s outfit that I’m putting together for a birthday next month.

 

 

I gave the green and black one to Esther’s teacher as a thank you for putting together the creative program. The kids loved it and so did I.

 

 

 

Cost of these Things: 0
Cost of all Things to date: €21.79