It can be hard to find durable keychains. Those attached to a plushie tend to fall off within a week or two due to the wear of the felt connecting the plush to the loop ring. But UC Live has been hosting events that get students crafty while providing an opportunity to destress from school.
They hosted a Bead Animal Art Workshop March 18, where students could follow a simple guide to formulate the beads into an animal of their choice, ranging from a lobster to an otter. The supplies were already set up with limited beads in colors that were put into plastic cups along with a string and a keychain loop.
The process is simple: secure the string to the loop, thread the beads through both string ends and continue with the format of how many beads and what color goes where to eventually complete the animal.
If the student didn’t like the color options or wanted to make their own interpretation of what the animals look like, they are more than welcome to do so with the bead palette provided.
“It felt like a great time for students and it was fun to see them connect as they made their beaded animal,” sophomore Samantha Stahl said.
This event was a perfect way for students to unwind before spring break, as friends joked with one another or campus couples squeezed in one more date before everyone went home.
“The event brought a lot of people back to childhood with this fun craft,” sophomore Lorelai Allison said. “I have loved this craft since fourth grade. Sure, I was frustrated by it, but I managed to make some cool art.”
A lot of students were able to make more than one animal in the three-hour period of relaxation, with concentration on threading the beads together to depict the desired animal.
“It’s easy enough to understand, but difficult enough for a challenge,” Allison said.
The event ended with people beaming at their creations, regardless if it was slightly lopsided or perfectly symmetrical.
The art events at the UC Live have been very popular throughout the semester, as many students want to showcase their hidden creativity through beads, paint, or cross-stitching.
With time slowly running out before the end of the spring semester and with graduation lurking, make sure to take some time with friends, significant others, or colleagues to check out these events on campus. A new talent can arise and surprise those who thought they could never be creative.
