Review: My Friendship Bracelet Maker Clipboard

A few weeks ago a package arrived in my PO Box. Inside, was the My Friendship Bracelet Maker Clipboard and a request for product review on my little blog...

Remember making friendship bracelets when you were a kid? I was like a knot-tying machine! I don't remember how old I was, but I remember having lots of fun with them so I was excited about the opportunity to introduce them to my big boy because apparently, like everything else from the 80's, the friendship bracelet trend is back! While we were in New Mexico for Thanksgiving weekend, we opened the package and got to work...

The product is simple to use and the instructions are clear: tie your strands in a knot and clip them to the board, then separate the strings by putting one between each "finger". I think I just used safety pins when I was a kid, and had to keep the strings organized--I know for sure my boy would be frustrated in a hurry without the clipboard--the founder of the company felt the same way after his granddaughters asked him to make friendship bracelets with them one afternoon, and a new product was born!

The insert contains illustrated instructions for a basic double right hand knot, but the website and blog have instructions for tons of different patterns. My boy worked in spurts all weekend, and a bit on the way home some too--in my book the product gets bonus points for being a good travel companion--last year were the Best Vacation Product Winner from Dr. Toy, among other awards. He's not quite done with his first bracelet yet, but it's a project that he's enjoying when quiet moments present themselves. (A bit of a rarity around our house!)

I love that this product made it possible for my boy to get started on a friendship bracelet--without it, I'm certain he'd be frustrated and give up in a matter of minutes. I also love that the company has some philanthropic involvement, and seems to be really focused on the concept of friendship--good messages for our kids today, don't you think? I also just like sharing my appreciation for all things handmade and crafty with the little people in my life. Many thanks to the makers of the MFBM for allowing me to review!

*No money was exchanged for this post, and as always, my opinions are my own...