Packed to the brim every football home game, Bevo Blvd invites Longhorn fans to enjoy UT’s sponsored tailgate. In the midst of it all, Craft & Yap offers simple crafts bringing fans of all ages and backgrounds together.
Inspired by her time at various community outreach programs, such as the Cupid Project, founder Gabriella Castro wanted to create her own organization, encouraging people to get to know each other through small crafting sessions.
“I was meeting all these new people,” Castro said. “I saw people making friends. We were just crafting, having a good time. … I was like, ‘I want to do this again, but maybe we can do jewelry this time.’”
Castro’s background in art helped shape the organization’s activities, such as bracelet making and bedazzling, emphasizing her focus on making the art accessible.
“I not only walk around and help people hands-on, but also I have tutorials,” Castro said. “I try to choose crafts that are easy for everybody to jump in on.”
This year, Craft & Yap partnered with Huntington Bank and UT for a free charm bracelet event at every home football game, the latest one being the Ole Miss game last Saturday. Biochemistry senior Lazeria Dean found herself making a bandana charm bracelet after visiting many of the tents.
“It cools you down,” Dean said. “Since we’re out in the heat, it brings comfort and calmness in the overstimulating environment.”
The simple setup invited all fans, even those from the opposing team. Danielle Chandler, an Austin resident and Ole Miss fan, stopped to craft with her son, making connections with other Ole Miss and Longhorn fans.
“(I’ve enjoyed) spending time with my son (and) getting to see all the fans from Ole Miss that are visiting,” Chandler said. “This is a great event. Everyone seems really happy and engaged.”
While having something new to take home can be a fun bonus of any crafting session, Craft & Yap focuses on providing a space for people to make friends without the awkwardness.
“Connecting over a shared experience and craft where you’re problem solving together or asking your neighbor, ‘Hey, what do you think about this?’ or ‘Can you pass that color?’ … it takes the pressure off the conversation and the small talk,” Castro said.
Craft & Yap provides experiences for both public and private events, with a unique craft at each gathering. A recent collaboration with Aston Martin during the Formula One weekend saw Castro and her team make custom keychains at Bungalow for fans looking to meet each other.
“(Aston Martin’s) mission was to connect with the community outside of what F1 typically is,” Castro said. “We didn’t know there was a line out the door the entire night, which was amazing to … hear, especially with meeting incredible people that came in from all over the world.”
With another event coming to the Halloween Mississippi State game, Craft & Yap continues to provide a place for people of all ages and skill levels to get creative.
“When we’re gathered around a table and we’re adding charms and we’re all there,” Castro said. “I’m like, ‘Look at us.’ We’re learning new skills. We’re crafting and yapping.”
