NOLA Lapel Pins launched their Build-A-Gras and Build-A-Float products on Friday, January 22. Build-A-Floats are custom DIY Mardi Gras themed cut out floats, king cakes, masks, flambeauxs, and oversize doubloons. Their DIY Mardi Gras projects will be simple to make and assemble so you and your family can create unique carnival memorabilia by personalizing one of your designs with your favorite Mardi Gras theme inspired by your favorite parading Krewe.

“Although we will be celebrating this season differently, we can share special moments with friends and family,” says Kevin Griffin-Clark, owner of NOLA Pins.

In addition to adding an alternative to parades and carnival festivities, 15 percent of all kits sold will benefit two local nonprofits: “Craftletes” and Daughters Beyond Incarceration (DBI NOLA).

DBI NOLA’s Mission is for every daughter with an incarcerated parent to live a healthy stable life and have a strong, positive, relationship with her parent during and after incarceration.

Daughters Beyond Incarceration’s plan is to attack mass incarceration issues initializing a healthy stable life-through education, mentorship, and supporting these girls to gain effective life and leadership skills.

Craftsletes is an introductory program, so trainees aren’t expected to be master craftsmen once they’ve completed their projects. The hope is that the program will spark an interest and possibly help discover a passion in one of the many skilled trades involved in the Behind the Scenes aspect of the entertainment and experiential industry.  They get the fundamentals of building, ie: basic safety, hand and power tools, and some layout techniques. However, Craftsletes focuses more on creative and outside the box thinking.

Build-A-Gras will be available starting Friday, January 22, 2021, at a price point starting at only $15. For more information on Build-A-Gras, click here.