Accessibility
At Boho & Knots, accessibility is not just an afterthought or a reactionary response or political stance; for us, it's part of the foundation of our work
as it's woven into the way we all naturally connect with and
adapt to the world around us (sometimes with more or less ease at times).
We strive to curate welcoming environments, adaptable & flexible workshops, and to ensure information is accessible (ie compatible, relatable, and
digestible) for those with the capacity, curiosity, and
readiness to explore new ways to:
Improve Wellbeing
Expand & Explore Creativity
Build & Sustain Meaningful Connections
Elevate the Benefits of Organics & Conscious Consumption
Support Sustainable and Intentional Communities, Creators, & Economies
Amplify Purpose Driven Contributions, Cultures, and Missions
Enhance Responsible Human Centred Innovation & Developments
Increase Self Awareness & Knowledge Attainment
Explore and Connect with Nature
While the common conversations about accessibility relate to people
with "disabilities", at Boho & Knots, we aim to shift and
broaden the related narrative to highlight:
The "different" [in terms of abilities or inabilities] amongst us, is
reflected in all of us; it just shows up...different.
Like our differences, we tend to express or camouflage
our differences in kind (based on our abilities and related access).
In this way, we parallel aspects of accessibility to "Bohemianism" (boho) because, from a philosophical stand point, both concepts represent indicators that convey conventional systems [spaces, activities, products, etc.)
fall short or create barriers for a significant portion of the population
in terms of access & sustainable wellness.
Even if and when most of the population appear to tolerate, adapt to, minimize, or fail to notice the related shortcomings that often have detriment of
some aspect of wellbeing, organic connections, and creative expansion
(in the context of self and/or others).
We also recognize that both accessibility and bohemianism, if
misinterpreted and undermined, can create barriers to one being able to fully experience the world, themselves, and their purpose -- whole & well.
Bohemianism
Bohemian: A wanderer (explorer). An inspired creative & curious person; a builder or grower.
A musician, artist, or writer who honors the freedom and light of their spirit. Someone with
an affinity for openness, love, truth, and meaningful connections. Someone who
lives with intention and pursues
purpose. A person who
enjoys expansion &
elevation; someone
naturally drawn to
alignment and who
resonates with nature,
organics, ease, & flow.
~ Boho & Knots
At Boho & Knots, we strive to create and co-create space for those
more in-tune with what can be referred to as a "bohemian spirit" to find resonance. We also aim to offer boho inspired products
(in addition to our macrame designs) in our online shop.
We see members of our communities who stand out (as in seem a "rare" kind), or those who don't feel right or compelled to easily follow popular or common trends, as messengers of important information; their actions let us know
they may be unable to easily relate, tolerate, or resonate with certain
conventional, commercial, or mainstream offerings like most people.
Those who prioritize their wellbeing to the point they decide to opt out of
being part of experiences that they believe will provide limited resonance
with their sensibilities represent a segment of the population who may wish to do so as well but, instead, choose not to often due to obligations, responsibilities, and social pressures (etc.) Instead, they tend to
"go along, to get along" even if or when the related experiences
causes them a sense [sensation] of dis-ease.
How people resolve and prevent misalignments in their lives is important because overtime, the related sensations may manifest in ways that
decrease core aspects of their wellness overtime. Additionally, being out of sync can also impact one's ability to connect with nature as well as their capacity for creativity expansion. Sometimes, and in many
cases often, outside of their awareness.
If one cannot access those related aspect of themselves, they are
dis-empowered from being able to improve core parts of their
wellbeing due to the related barrier.
At Boho & Knots, we offer opportunities for people to improve their awareness and enhance their consciousness to help them regain access to parts of themselves that's been abandoned, blocked, and suppressed; parts they may want to reconnect with and benefit from (wholistically).
Additionally, we interpret people who may appear to have a more
"boho spirit" as those seeking authentic growth, depth, and access to
opportunities that foster integrated wholistic wellbeing
(even as rapid changes take place all around us).
We incorporate elements of "boho" into our brand for this reason. As well, some definitions of bohemianism carry a negative connotation as they parallel those who would be described as bohemian bohemian as pushing against social conventions and the status quo. What we notice is,
those definitions leave out a lot of nuance.
There are people in our society who attempt to enjoy social conventions like others, yet aren't able to (with ease) when the experience doesn't sync
with aspects of their their sensory awareness, wellbeing,
and affinity for nature & creativity.
While many boho aesthetics may seem trendy on surface, the reference is a philosophical one that relates to the study of beauty and...art.
How Does the Way We Perceive Beauty & Art Intersect with Wellness?
Our senses help us translate meaning of beauty and art to us and the this supports and aligns with aspects and our sense wellbeing.
As you will see from the visualizer above, related images typically give off a grounding, minimalist, and unique look. Many boho products, and boho inspired spaces, are generally created and curated with organic,
biodegradable, or repurposed materials (including those often include
some are hand-made items by artisans).
Boho retailers and shops tend to be stewards of
sustainability and preservers of ancient and ancestral cultural
teachings & practices; ones that are more rooted in highlighting the value of
interconnectedness of the spirit of people, nature, wellness, and creativity
(symbolized by the knot).
Boho products also have textures and patterns that are intentionally meant to be meaningfully, organically, and intrinsically stimulating.
Boho aesthetics generally promote and symbolize
uniqueness, ease, and flow. Colour schemes are usually calming, fun, or pleasantly uplifting. Earth, clay, pastel, and mute colours are often used for
sensory conscious reasons; these hues and shades
reduce distractions, offer more ease, and help people remember
that what is beautiful, appealing, and good for us
can be subtle, simple, and light.
Soft. Quiet. Neutral.
In boho aesthetics, contrasting colours against different pallets of whites or beiges, are often different shades of greens, browns
(which includes certain hues of reds, oranges, and yellows).
Most of these colours tend to be soothing and grounding to most.
Boho related colours and tones colours tend to be found in the beauty of nature, earthy landscapes, and other natural offerings including blooming wildflowers, bark of trees & leaves, herbs; different sand, rocks &
crystals, and minerals as well many seeds & botanicals
(including cocoa, coffee beans, and tea leaves).
Some of which we see, use, rely on, or otherwise
consume or immerse ourselves in regularly.
Macrame
People drawn to macrame, because they like the aesthetic and/or the craft,
are often attracted to the art because parts of it resonates with their sensory consciousness. Whether it's the textures, colours, patterns or its simplicity.
It may also be the materials used (mostly eco-friendly and
biodegradable) or that fact that most pieces are handmade. They may also appreciate the practical use and function of certain macrame pieces; or, they may admire the historical or cultural symbolism and the way macrame (or the visual patterns of knots or fringe) remind them, intuitively, of an organic or natural connection to something woven into them. Perhaps a tread that
links them to people or places they miss or may be
related to but never met or visited.
Some are drawn to macrame because it aligns with an aspect of their wellbeing and creative nature that they want to acknowledge more.
At Boho & Knots, we see macrame as more than just an art form.
It makes wellness, connecting with nature, and creative expansion more accessible in a very organic and freeing way.
Read more about sensory awareness and
wellbeing by clicking the button below.
Divergent Sensibility
At Boho & Knots, we also see a parallel with sensory conscious and eco-friendly arts
like macrame (and similar boho products) with those in our communities who
may be on the spectrum of being neurodiverse or neurodivergent thinkers
(this includes trauma survivors).
Trauma can be the result of a physical, biological, psychological (mental or
emotional), spiritual (or other) injury to one's system that took place pre-natal,
after birth, or during another phase of development.
Not all people are aware of any or all traumas they may experienced
and not all trauma impacts or manifests in people the same.
Macrame isn't something that generally appeals to most (outright);
not because it isn't beautiful or interesting. More so because people who think or function like most tend to like or gravitate towards common or mainstream art (which macrame is not). Additionally, most people (including those who may not truly think or sense things like others), tend to assimilate or follow (if you will) what
most people do to avoid seeming "different" (or divergent).
Even if and when doing so has a negative impact on their
overall wellbeing as we noted above in the bohemianism section).
There are wellness benefits to living life more intentionally, in alignment
with purpose, and in sync with one's sensibilities.
There are also wellbeing detriments to doing the opposite.
As many can attest, macrame is "niche" art and tends to appeal to a "fringe" segment of the population such as those who tend to have be more neurodiverse
in their thinking such as those who prefer, appreciate, or are drawn to:
Symmetrical or Organized Patterns
Feeling Certain Textures
Earthy, Clay, and Mute Colours
Hand-Made Items
Unique & One of a Kind Items
Meditation & Mindfulness
Eco-Friendly & Sensory Conscious Arts
Organics and Natural Products & Ingredients
Minimalism and Order
Herbs, Plants & Botanicals
Relaxation, Grounding, and Calming Activities
Intrinsic Stimulation
Intentional, Soft, and Quiet Living
Connecting with Nature
Creative Problem Solving
Experiential Learning and Exploration
Harmony & Alignment
Human Centred Experiences
Hands-on & Visual Learning
Discovery through Experimenting
Functional & Creative Crafts
tend to prefer or appreciate the details, nuance, and uniqueness of what is commonly referred to as "niche".
Are You a Visual or Tactile Learner?
Additionally, macrame is consists of various patterns (some simple, some more intricate), and textures, and other details that are stimulating and that also spark curiosity.
People who are more considered neurodivergent thinkers tend to
appreciate this; including those who fit along the autism spectrum.
Macrame is wonderful for those who are
tactile (aka kinesthetic) and visual learners.
Do You Enjoy Working with Your Hands?
Macrame is great for those who like to build things with their hands as there is an engineering (constructing) component to macrame as well.
For people, especially adults, who don't work in fields where they're able to work with their hands or build things, macrame serves as a wonderful opportunity for them to tap into the part of them that they don't get to as often as they may want (or need).
Macrame is also a great way to build or improve fine motor skills!
This is partly why we put a STEM focus into our work.
To learn more, click the button below.
Do You Want to Learn a New Way to Relax, De-stress, or Meditate?
Observing and making patterns is soothing, relaxing, and meditative. While there are stimulating aspects to macrame, there are elements that are grounding, calming, and therapeutic. Many people experience healing and spiritual benefits while
working on macrame projects and affirm it's helped them reduce
stress, helped them better manage anger, and improved
their overall capacity to regulate emotions.
Do You Enjoy Eco-Friendly Products & Art?
Additionally, because macrame is more so an eco-friendly art (when using organic and biodegradable materials), this art is a safe option for those with sensitivities or
allergies to overly processed materials and textiles.
Do You Want to Improve Your Sensory Processing Skills?
For those with unique sensory processing needs or preferences, or those looking to better understand why they tend to like or dislike certain arts, textures, patterns, (etc.), macrame serves as a great way to explore those aspects of themselves.
Advanced Tech & Sensory Consciousness
At Boho & Knots, we recognize that the advancing tech world can sometimes be challenging for the above noted people to navigate. As a result, we offer a Digital Empowerment Services as well to support those who, for sensory reasons, may not resonate with digital tech as much as others.
Visit our Digital Empowerment Page to learn more!