Memory Keepers

 

 

Notes

These directions support workshop hosts

Intro

Memory Keepers can take the form of anything that will keep your memories protected. This could be a box, a jar or a frame. Jars and boxes can easily be opened whenever you want to add a new thought or an old memory that has just popped into your head.

Precious things that your Memory Keeper can hold: written notes, painted stones, dried flowers, personal items - anything that means a lot to you. This is the perfect activity to combine with ‘painted pebbles’ or ‘origami making’ because at the end of the activity, there will be personal objects to place in the Memory Keepers.

Inspiration

If you’d like to know more about what to use as your vessel or what to place in your Memory Keeper, here’s an article that’s packed full of ideas: memory jar ideas.

Pre-workshop Preparation

Some of the activities may benefit from pre-workshop prep. It should never be essential - we don’t want to add pressure - but for anyone who wishes, there could be an added layer of involvement. For this activity, participants could bring personal items that can be added to the Memory Keeper.

Materials

Each attendee will need the following:

  • 1 jar/box/frame/shadow box

  • colouring pens/pencils

  • paper

  • scissors

  • glue

There will be craft materials on the table for anyone who wants to use. For example:

  • string

  • ribbon

  • adhesive labels

  • coloured sand

  • printed labels

  • old magazines

  • cocktail sticks

  • sticky tape

The space will need

  • easy access to water

  • a table with enough space for each person to feel that they have their own room & space

  • chairs for each person

Appropriate for

All workshops require no prior experience and should be designed to work for all ages. They are designed to be as inclusive as possible and should include activity options within the workshop so that they appeal to a variety of ages/levels/personalities.

During the workshop

The lovely thing about this activity is that it can be started in a workshop setting and then added to at home. There’s no right or wrong way to create a Memory Keeper. (However, if you’re using sand, it’s best to use that just for a jar!) Magazine images of flowers create lovely backdrops that can be cut out & placed around the side of a jar. Butterfly drawings can be cut out & stuck to cocktail sticks. The possibilities are endless.