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.

