“I work for Sara Isabel,” says Kalen Redmon as she talks about their family’s small enterprise, Crayon Pendants. Sara Isabel is her 10-year-old daughter who concocted the new business idea.
According to the mother-daughter team, the concept for Crayon Pendants was born out of pursuing creative activities during the pandemic lockdown. Kalen lost her job as so many others did during the spring of 2020, so the two spent quality time painting, doing puzzles, and listening to music for enrichment.
“Over the years, my father has given me jewelry to mark significant occasions,” says Kalen. “So I had several pieces with which Sara Isabel was familiar. With that as a backdrop, Sara Isabel suggested one of our creative ventures would be to craft pendants with flowers. There were no blooming flowers outside in March, and we couldn’t go anywhere to purchase them due to the lockdown. Being the resourceful girl that she is, she suggested we use crayon shavings instead. I had some resin and bezels, and we came up with colorful crayon shavings-filled pendants that we gave to family and neighbors as gifts.”
As the cold turned to summer, the duo found outdoor activities and didn’t make the pendants for a while. Then in November, Sara Isabel returned to school, and Mr. Redmon returned to work. Recognizing that her mom was not one to be idle, Sara Isabel suggested that they craft and sell their crayon pendants.
“I wasn’t sure about the idea and questioned whether they would sell,” says Kalen, “but Sara Isabel quickly reminded me that I have always told her that she could do anything. So why not this?”
After a few sales on Etsy, they built a website and began selling jewelry online. They also started participating at local outdoor markets and festivals. Kalen eventually secured a new job, but they promised each other they would continue working on their crayon jewelry on the weekends.
“It’s really messy work, but we love it,” says Kalen. “Using both new and recycled crayons, we create our designs in the evenings and on weekends in our basement. We have both learned so much from working together. Sara Isabel has learned the courage to sell by interact ing with people at the festivals both in Spanish (Kalen is originally from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico) and English. I have learned to trust her judgment for her color combinations.”
At customers’ requests, they have added earrings and bracelets. Their products are marketed through their website, as well as through other social media outlets like Instagram and Facebook. All jewelry comes in a wrapped tin can ready for gifting.
Proceeds from Crayon Pendants are deposited into Sara Isabel’s college fund. And because giving back is important to both mother and daughter, 50 percent of all heart pendant sales are donated to the Empty Stocking Fund.
Looking for a holiday gift? Shop online at www.crayonpendants.com or visit them at these upcoming festivals:
November 10-12 – Junior League of Cobb-Marietta Mistletoe Market, Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta.
December 3 – Chattahoochee Nature Center Christmas Market, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell.
