KnotShots

Creativity for a Cure

It’s amazing how a silly idea becomes a reality.

In July 2010, at 7-years-old, Brianna D’Herde was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.  Three days later, Brianna’s friend, Grace was also hit with the reality of diabetes when Grace’s mom was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  Feeling down about diabetes, the two girls starting joking about what they would do with used syringes and just like that, KnotShots™ was born.  

“It started as a joke, but Brianna and Grace have turned that joke into a creative way to deal with diabetes,” says Mandie D’Herde, Brianna’s mother.

KnotShots is a unique line of jewelry ranging from bracelets, necklaces, earrings, bookmarks, keychains and lanyards that represent life to Brianna and so many others living with diabetes.  Upon first glance, many don’t recognize the pieces of syringe that make up the jewelry.

With support from family and friends, Brianna D’Herde of Port Aransas, Texas and Grace Gammon of Indianapolis, Indiana have been busy making jewelry from used and sterilized syringes since December 2010.  “The syringes are sterilized by boiling and bleach, then cut and used as beads.  We recycle as much of the syringe as possible and the needles are put into a Sharpes container,” says Mandie. 

Each piece is one-of-a kind and hand-made – usually by little fingers hoping that the money raised by selling them will bring us closer to a cure for diabetes.

“When Brianna was first diagnosed she was scared.  Even today, when a shot hurts her, she’ll wince but then says, ‘it’s ok, it’s another necklace,” says Mandie. 

To date, the two families have sold nearly $5000 worth of KnotShots with profits going to the American Diabetes Association.  “I want to make lots of KnotShots so that we can find a cure for diabetes so no one else has to do this,” says Brianna.

The community has also come out to support Brianna and Grace.  “People will donate craft supplies and often ask if they can help make the KnotShots,” says Mandie. 

The D’Herde family home has become something of a “jewelry making factory,” laughs Mandie.  “We've set up two tables in our house that are always full of supplies and anyone can stop and make a piece when they have time. Some weeks, we have ‘KnotShot parties’ where we tell our family and friends when we’ll be making KnotShots.  Those who can, come and help out.  It’s been therapy for all of us,” says Mandie.

“With diabetes, you are still able to do all the things you did before,” says Brianna.  Now, she also has the opportunity to “turn bad things into good things.”

You can see more pictures and order your own KnotShots at www.knotshots.net.