Our Story
BRAINBOW is a neurodiversity-affirming creative studio based in Smithers, in northern BC, on the unceded territory of the Gitumden Clan of the Wet’suwet’en peoples.
It’s run by me, Lisa (she/her)- a parent, maker, and facilitator with a background in collaborative and community-based natural resource management. I didn’t set out to start a small business; life changed and so did the work.
How It Started
BRAINBOW began in late 2023 during a difficult season for our family in the tender, post-pandemic world. My daughter was in severe burnout after years of masking, and supporting them meant letting go of my career, beginning a path of unschooling, and prioritizing mental health and relational safety.
In the middle of all the upheaval, creativity became both refuge and therapy. I started making beaded bracelets with messages like GOOD ENOUGH, SHUT UP BRAIN, and STOP TALKING - blunt, grounding affirmations for a parent trying to stay steady in a storm. Word medicine disguised as jewelry.
A few sparks followed: a first-place ribbon at the local fall fair, people at markets saying, “Oh… I need this,” and then a CBC Radio interview. It felt like the universe whispering: there’s something here worth exploring.
The brain + rainbow mashup became the perfect metaphor for what I was doing - blending my fascination with how our brains work, the symbolism of hope and resilience, and the celebratory ethos of pride. It was also a reminder that healing doesn’t have to be solemn; laughter is good medicine. A little yin, a little yang.
Becoming BRAINBOW Studio
What started with handcrafted mantra bracelets quickly expanded to include a wide collection of curated pieces - witty enamel pins, fidget-friendly jewelry, and science-inspired earrings and pendants.
As BRAINBOW evolved, it grew beyond a solo practice into something more collective. Inspired by Neurodiversity Celebration Week in the UK, I organized activities in Smithers that leaned into the celebratory aspect of the event, alongside local organizations.
From there came The Love Heals Project - a community experiment in kindness and creativity with the EdGE Learning Centre. A small idea grew into dozens of workshops, hundreds of participants, and thousands of bracelets shared freely in our small northern town. The Love Heals Project is ongoing → Learn more.
BRAINBOW Studio is the next chapter - more intentional, and still unafraid to be a little ridiculous and rebellious. We’re bringing original enamel pin designs, new sensory-friendly accessories, creative workshops, and community collaborations that align with our values.
Our Lens & Lineage
At BRAINBOW Studio, we embrace the full spectrum. We view differences not as deficits, but like colours in a rainbow - distinct, interconnected, and part of an awe-inspiring whole. The contrast of light and dark adds depth and richness. This is the lens we bring to our work and the world.
Our lens has been shaped not just by learning, but by unlearning - letting go of expected outcomes, staying curious, and finding humour in the beautiful mess of being human.
The organizations below have helped inform our thinking, language, and how we show up:
Fun Fact:
Brainbow is a real neuroscience technique developed at Harvard that uses fluorescent proteins to colour individual neurons, revealing patterns of connection in vivid detail. It’s only been used in animal research so far, but it offers a beautiful reminder that every brain is unique, and no two light up in quite the same way.