#diversityisimportant — Public Fediverse posts

Another small anecdote from #Blissfest2026 and volunteering with kiddos. One of the popular crafting activities was "flower crowns." I believe there was a workshop earlier on day 1 with the older kids, so it was a theme.

During Day 2, we narrowly avoided the pipe-cleaner-apocalypse. This is where we would be running out of pipe cleaners because they were being used by kids to make the base of the crown. I had managed to find some crafting wire that was an adequate substitute. Both thin and thick ones. The thin ones I braided to make it usable as a base, but this took a while. The kids who got those special pieces absolutely loved them though.

The thicker wire needed pliers to clip and join, but a single strand was sufficient. We did some pre-making of different sizes so kids could basically grab one that fit and start adding things to decorate.

I noticed one kiddo that was trying on different sizes, but this one had type 4 hair and was kinda disappointed with a solid ring that wouldn't sit right on springy curls. At least, not without crushing the curls. Kinda like when a hairband or hat ruins your hair. Fellow curlies know what I'm talking about. Especially if you have a tendency to fro.

I gently popped in to compliment the hair, and note how it's even curlier than mine, and what I would do to make a crown sit better without ruining the hair. Then I got to show them how to use zig-zagging and coiled versions of the metal band that would move with the curls instead of against them. And how the added flexibility is nice for fine tuning. It was clear she hadn't had a metal one that just simply worked before. The delight that beamed from this kiddo brought me a lot of joy. 🥹

That is the story. #DiversityIsImportant

#Blissfest #TalesOfAKat #CurlyHair

Another small anecdote from #Blissfest2026 and volunteering with kiddos. One of the popular crafting activities was "flower crowns." I believe there was a workshop earlier on day 1 with the older kids, so it was a theme.

During Day 2, we narrowly avoided the pipe-cleaner-apocalypse. This is where we would be running out of pipe cleaners because they were being used by kids to make the base of the crown. I had managed to find some crafting wire that was an adequate substitute. Both thin and thick ones. The thin ones I braided to make it usable as a base, but this took a while. The kids who got those special pieces absolutely loved them though.

The thicker wire needed pliers to clip and join, but a single strand was sufficient. We did some pre-making of different sizes so kids could basically grab one that fit and start adding things to decorate.

I noticed one kiddo that was trying on different sizes, but this one had type 4 hair and was kinda disappointed with a solid ring that wouldn't sit right on springy curls. At least, not without crushing the curls. Kinda like when a hairband or hat ruins your hair. Fellow curlies know what I'm talking about. Especially if you have a tendency to fro.

I gently popped in to compliment the hair, and note how it's even curlier than mine, and what I would do to make a crown sit better without ruining the hair. Then I got to show them how to use zig-zagging and coiled versions of the metal band that would move with the curls instead of against them. And how the added flexibility is nice for fine tuning. It was clear she hadn't had a metal one that just simply worked before. The delight that beamed from this kiddo brought me a lot of joy. 🥹

That is the story. #DiversityIsImportant

#Blissfest #TalesOfAKat #CurlyHair