When most people think of friendship bracelets, they think of the colorful string bracelets you would make at summer camp to trade with your friends. Or they think of the latest concert trend (thanks to Taylor Swift), where concertgoers put lyrics and inside jokes on beaded bracelets that relate to the artist and trade with other fans. Friendship bracelets will always have heartfelt meaning; there’s something about handmade jewelry that feels extra special because someone took the time and effort to string the knots together or pick out a certain mix of beads. 

Handmade jewelry has existed for ages, tracing back to some of the earliest civilizations. It was made with animal bones, teeth, and shells. It’s always been truly one-of-a-kind because no knot, bead, or piece of thread is ever the same; everything from glass beads to tying knots to create chevrons and spirals is selected and made for another person with care. 

I’ve been making friendship bracelets since I was seven years old, and I haven’t stopped. I went from “candy stripe” string bracelets to Rainbow Loom name bracelets to soda-can tab bracelets and back to string bracelets. I love selecting the perfect combination of colors and a complicated-looking pattern. I also love sitting down for hours and getting lost in a bracelet pattern, knowing that the final product is for someone I care about; it’s my favorite type of self-care. 

Two years ago, I worked at a summer camp for eight weeks. I lined my wrists with handmade string and beaded bracelets of various colors and patterns. My bracelets of choice were thick string bracelets made with teal, shades of purple, pink, and white, knotted from patterns from Pinterest, and simple, colorful beaded bracelets made from the plastic pony and alpha beads. I remember my supervisor complimenting my bracelets; it felt great to tell her I made them. 

After she joked about wanting one, I knew my mission was to make her the perfect bracelet. And once I did, she didn’t take it off for the rest of the summer. For a while, I felt out of place at my job, but her appreciation for my creation by wearing it made me feel like I belonged. Who knew that just a few pieces of string could comfort me, even when they’re not on my wrist?  

There’s a specific aesthetic tied to wearing handmade jewelry, especially friendship bracelets. That feeling is reminiscent of childhood summers—the smell of sunscreen, bug spray, and firepit s’mores. Stacking different textured and patterned bracelets on your wrist while letting the strings fray shows your commitment to the pieces you’re wearing, a commitment that usually lasts if the jewelry is customized to you. Sometimes, this commitment also represents your lasting relationships with the people in your life. It’s more than just a statement piece or accessory, it’s a tangible display of your bond with another person. 

But handmade jewelry is more than just string and bead bracelets. For example, pressed-flower pendant necklaces and clay charm earrings can be found on Etsy, an online store that sells handmade and vintage items. Most vendors on the site customize their options for every consumer, so no two products are the same. Artists deserve compensation for their hard work, and when they list their products on Etsy, customers know that their money is going to someone who puts thought into each of their unique products. 

There are real benefits to making handmade jewelry. Not only do they help regulate fine motor skills and visual perception but there’s a true difference in quality. The individuals who create these products source their materials from local craft stores or even other handmade sellers regarding bead selection. A lot more time and effort goes into handmade jewelry, so a machine can’t replicate the level of detail needed to tie each knot or string on each bead. And as a jewelry maker, I’ll never get over the feeling of walking into a Michaels and perusing the bead and string section with awe. My grandma would joke that without me, Michaels would run out of business! 

I don’t think I’ll ever stop making or wearing handmade jewelry. It helps me feel creative when I face major burnout and connect with other artists, as we understand the time and energy it takes to create something unique for others. So, as the great Taylor Swift once said, “Make the friendship bracelets!”