54 | JUNE 24 • 2021
W
hile many of us
spent the past
year decluttering
our homes, some things were
just too precious to part with.
If you can’t bear to give away
your late father’s tie collection,
your mother’s colorful array
of scarves or your daughter’s
childhood dance costumes,
Kiwykeepsakes will turn those
cherished memories into col-
orful throw pillows, striking
wall hangings and other unique
works of art.
Kiwykeepsakes — the Kiwy
stands for “Keep it with you”
— was conceived by Carolyn
Sklarchyk, West Bloomfield
weaver and former social work-
er. The creations are handmade
by Sklarchyk and other “Kiwy
Krafters” that include weavers
Michael Daitch and Rayme
Jacobs, who is also a co-found-
er, and sewist Susan Tauber.
Each creation incorporates
personal items that reflect the
subject’s interests, experiences
and personality. Projects have
included pillows made from
concert tees for the music lover;
school sweatshirts or sports
memorabilia for the graduate;
summer camp swag for the
grown-up camper’s birthday;
wedding keepsakes for the anni-
versary couple — the ideas are
boundless.
The idea for Kiwykeepsakes
came to Sklarchyk about 10
years ago, after the death of her
mother.
“I was cleaning out her closet,
and so much of her clothing
brought back so many memo-
ries. I decided to weave several
pieces of her clothing into a
pillow. It's an instant reminder
of all those good times,
” said
Sklarchyk, who began weaving
as a teenager.
When her father passed away
two years ago, her fellow weav-
ers surprised her with a pillow
made from his favorite ties. It
has become one of her most
treasured possessions.
A pillow made from their
beloved dog’s blanket brought
comfort to a grieving family,
while a mother celebrated her
son’s graduation from medical
school with a pillow made from
his lab coat.
In addition, personalized
laser cut leatherette tags, called
Kiwy Kards, made from photos
provided by the customer, have
become a popular accompani-
ment to the pillows, purses and
wall hangings.
Now that COVID restrictions
are lifting, Sklarchyk and her
staff look forward to creating
innovative gifts for long-delayed
celebrations such as weddings,
bar and bat mitzvahs, and par-
ties commemorating birthdays,
anniversaries and graduations.
While Sklarchyk has been
weaving for friends and family
for many years, she officially
started Kiwykeepsakes in 2018,
after a career as a professional
social worker and a stint as
Fiber Arts Facilitating Artist at
the Farber Soul Center in West
Bloomfield. Now, she has come
full circle.
“I’ve returned to my first love
— weaving,
” she said, “and it’s
not just the weaving, but help-
ing people celebrate life events
or cope with life events. It's like
I get to combine social work
and weaving together. I love
people's stories!”
Local deliveries are safe-
ly made by Sklarchyk’s son,
and accomplished artist, Sam
Morris, who will be joined by
Soul Center artist Alyssa Gold.
Shipping is also available.
For more information, visit the
Kiwykeepsakes Facebook
page at facebook.com/
Kiwykeepsakes-796701377365673/,
email kiwykeepsakes@gmail.com or
call (248) 505-6269.
Weaving memories into
unique keepsakes.
RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
‘Keep it
With You’
COURTESY OF CAROLYN SKLARCHYK
Carolyn
Sklarchyk
A teddy bear made from
the clothes of a newborn’s
late grandpa.
Kiwykeepsakes turned those
treasured tutus into a beautiful pillow.
A pillow woven from the blanket
of a beloved family dog.
Both sides of a pillow made by Phyllis Adelsberg to celebrate her
son Joel’s graduation from medical school.