--- title: "Clubs 101: UMD Craft Club" date: 2026-10-01T05:30:00-04:00 author: University of Maryland canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/clubs-101-umd-craft-club" section: Articles --- # Clubs 101: UMD Craft Club *October 1, 2026* — by [Karen Shih ’09](/author/karen-shih) > Whether making props for Testudo, learning to crochet or painting seasonal decorations, students get creative. *Students help make keys for Testudo at the craft club on September 16, 2026. Photo by Lauren Epstein/University of Maryland — From left, UMD Craft Club members Ruby Cerny ’27, Audrey Mitchell ’27 and Sarah Gnagey ’29 help make keys for Testudo to use during football games at the Garden of Reflection and Remembrance. (Photos by Lauren Epstein '29)* Eagle-eyed Terps fans might have seen Testudo swinging a little extra bling during the Virginia Tech football game: a set of big, shiny keys he shook during third downs, leading fans to jingle their own during the “key” play. *Testudo holds a prop key with the Maryland M painted in red on it — Testudo uses prop keys at the football game against Virginia Tech. (Photo by Bree Stevens)* *Students make a prop key ring — UMD Craft Club executive board members work on a key ring prop. President Bree Stevens '29 hot glues (center), while treasurer Paul Weiner '29 (top) and social media chair Jyaire Matthews (left) look on.* Got ink-terest? Do “knot” wait—here’s what you need to know: **How It Got Started:** Created by Asmita Brahme ’26 in Fall 2025, the club quickly took off, drawing up to 40 participants per session. “When I walked around the First Look Fair last year, the Craft Club spoke to something in my heart,” said Stevens. She brings a wide variety of materials for fellow students to use, and the executive board buys craft supplies out of pocket but is hoping to do some fundraisers this year to supplement. **When It Meets:** From 6-7 p.m. every Wednesday in the Garden of Reflection and Remembrance outside Memorial Chapel (not on the lawn like last year). Later in the semester, they’ll move indoors, most likely to the Adele H. Stamp Student Union; follow [@UMDCraftClub](https://www.instagram.com/umdcraftclub/) or join the GroupMe for updates. *Students sit in the middle of the Labyrinth — Anna Lawrence '29 (left) and Isabella Garland '29 apply henna and braid friendship bracelets in the middle of the Labyrinth during a meeting of the UMD Craft Club.* **Who Can Join:** Anyone looking for a break from the stresses of school and who wants to try some hands-on activities. “As a biochemistry major, I have labs all day and I have a lot of hard classes, so this is my stress reliever,” said treasurer Paul Weiner ’29, who enjoys sketching Ravens players in his free time. For those who interested in learning new skills, the club offers workshops on origami, crochet and more, all led by fellow students. *sketch of a key with turtle shell pattern* *Students paint a giant key* **Fun Traditions:** Making Testudo props could become the first. Stevens is an intern for [Maryland Athletics](https://umterps.com/), and through her connections with the mascot team, got the green light to create binoculars, a cheer chainsaw and signs to get fans pumped throughout the football and basketball seasons. \[[*Standing the Testudo of Time*](https://today.umd.edu/standing-the-testudo-of-time)\] During the key-making session, government and politics major Vera Uzoma ’30 sketched a shell and the letters “UMD,” then chatted with studio art major Justin Forster ’27 on how to combine the components. “Sometimes artists can take things a little too seriously,” he said. “I’m glad to be here to share ideas, have fun and decompress.” *This is an occasional series highlighting interesting UMD student clubs. Have a suggestion for one to feature? Email* [**kshih@umd.edu**](mailto:kshih@umd.edu). **Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community) **Tags:** [Clubs 101](https://today.umd.edu/topic/clubs-101), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience) **Units:** [College of Arts and Humanities](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-arts-and-humanities)