Souvenirs workshop A Mi Mek It! in Montego Bay Jamaica (FR & EN)

Shells turn into souvenirs fast in Montego Bay. At A Mi Mek It!, you build custom Jamaican keepsakes with hands-on help, then spend time in a garden farm setting right on the property.

I also love the focus on doing real making, not just browsing, with Marie guiding you through your choices and keeping the vibe easy. One thing to plan around: the experience needs good weather, and the activities can get a little messy, so wear comfy clothes.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• You make three souvenir pieces in one 3 hour session, from shells and Jamaican materials
• Marie (SoMarie) leads the workshop with a confident, get-it-done approach
• The setting is a working garden with 14 fruit trees, farm animals, and a farm-style break
• Choose your own shell inputs or pick from shells hand-picked on-site
• Iconic craft options include a glass made from a Red Stripe beer bottle and a candle using calabash
• Small group size (up to 24) keeps it more personal and practical

From Beach Shopping to Doing Something Useful

If you’ve ever collected shells on a beach and thought, I should make something with these, this is your answer. Instead of buying a generic item, you spend a few hours creating a souvenir that is genuinely yours, because you help shape the design, color choices, and final look.

A big reason this works is the setting. The workshop takes place on a one acre property in Montego Bay, and it’s close to real life, not stuck in a craft market. You’re in the middle of town, about five minutes from the airport and downtown, so it’s a smart use of time even if you’re staying in a resort bubble.

What really makes it feel worthwhile is that you leave with more than one item. You choose to make three different Jamaican souvenirs, so you’re not just filling a tote bag, you’re taking home a set that tells a story.

The 3-Hour Flow in Plain English

This is a 3 hour workshop. Exact timing can shift a bit depending on the group and weather, but you can expect a clear rhythm: you arrive, choose your materials, make your three souvenirs, and get time outdoors around the garden and farm.

Pickup may be offered, so you might not need to coordinate your own transport. Either way, the start and finish are at SoMom Mobay Lodging & Experiences on Leader Avenue in Montego Bay, which makes it easy to plug into your day.

Plan to show up ready to participate. This is not a sit-and-watch class. You’ll be using special tools and working with beads and other materials, with guidance throughout so you’re not guessing what to do next.

The Garden Walk: Fruit Trees, Farm Animals, and Food Stops

Before you get deep into making, you spend time on the property, and that part is not filler. The garden includes 14 fruit trees, and the workshop team leans into the seasonal side of Jamaican produce. They specifically note that around May to July there are so many mangoes that you can hand-pick.

You’ll also taste Jamaican soup, along with exotic fruits and the best tea they serve on-site. I like these food moments because they slow the workshop down in a good way. You get a break from working with your hands and you taste what’s around you, not what’s packaged for tourists.

You’ll see a little farm with local goats, rabbits, ducks, and chickens. There’s also a chance to climb into tree houses to watch birds, and you’ll get a look at a mud kitchen area.

One practical note: the official info says bottled water is included, but snacks are not listed as included. Since food and drinks are part of the experience description, you should still plan on having a little flexibility for anything beyond bottled water, or ask what’s actually provided during your session.

Choosing Your Materials: Shells You Bring or Shells You Pick

A Mi Mek It! is built around shells, but you don’t have to travel with them. You can bring your own shells from the beach, or you can choose from a selection of shells that are hand-picked from right here in Jamaica.

That matters because it changes the whole souvenir feel. If you bring shells, you’re literally using your travel time as an ingredient. If you choose on-site, you avoid packing concerns and you get shells that match what the workshop team expects to work well with their tools and craft style.

Either way, you’ll be working with the inputs early, so you can start imagining the final piece instead of waiting until the end.

Your Three Souvenirs: Red Stripe Glass, Calabash Candle, and More

The headline here is choice. During the workshop, you select three different Jamaican souvenirs from options that include jewelry, a glass made from a traditional Red Stripe beer bottle, a candle made with calabash, and making a body scrub, plus other craft possibilities.

Red Stripe bottle glass

This is the standout for many people because it turns something familiar into something useful and decorative. You’re taking a bottle tied to Jamaica’s beer culture and transforming it into a piece you can keep, gift, or use as a drinking glass if it’s made for that purpose.

Even if you’re not a beer person, the craft idea is clever. It’s recognizable, it’s local, and it gives your souvenir a functional side.

Calabash candle

Calabash is a material with a long tradition in the Caribbean. Using it for a candle adds a natural texture and a Jamaican identity that feels more meaningful than a store-bought decoration.

Body scrub and jewelry

The workshop also includes making a body scrub, and jewelry is one of the core options. These choices are great if you want souvenirs that match the way you actually live at home, like skincare, accessories, and small daily-use items.

For your planning, think about what you’ll carry. Jewelry is small and easy to pack. A bottle glass and calabash candle may require careful packing. If you’re flying, bring a sturdy bag and protect corners like you would for any fragile souvenir.

The Art Table Under an Ackee Tree

The making happens at an art table located under an ackee tree. That detail sounds small, but it affects your experience more than you might think.

Shade keeps the session comfortable, especially in Montego Bay heat. It also turns the workshop into something you can enjoy without fighting the sun the whole time. And because it’s outdoors, the area feels like a backyard workshop, not a classroom.

I like these open-air setups because you can feel the place you’re in. You’re not transported into a studio bubble. You’re working on-site, with birds and garden life around you, and that makes the finished pieces feel more connected to Jamaica.

The Guide Factor: Marie (SoMarie) Makes It Click

This experience is led by a French tour guide in Jamaica, SoMarie. In conversation, you’ll hear her called Marie, and she runs the workshop with real momentum.

From what I see works best in craft tours is clarity. You need to know what you’re doing, when to do it, and how to avoid wasting materials. Marie’s role matters because she helps you make decisions about your souvenir choices and keeps you moving through the process smoothly.

If you’re worried you won’t be artistic, this is exactly the kind of setting where good guidance helps. You’re not expected to start from zero skill. You’re guided with tools, materials, and step-by-step help.

Who This Workshop Suits Best

This fits a lot of trip styles. It’s a strong pick for singles who want an activity that creates a sense of accomplishment. It’s also great for couples and girl trips, because you can do your own souvenirs while still sharing the garden experience together.

Families can do it too. The property has animals and playful elements like tree houses, and the workshop options give kids or teens a chance to try a simplified version of crafting if the guide sets it up that way.

If you’re the type who gets restless sitting on a beach all day, this is a good counterbalance. It turns vacation time into a real project you can finish and feel proud of.

Price and Value: Why $120 Can Be a Good Deal

At $120 per person for about 3 hours, you might wonder how this compares to other Montego Bay activities. The value comes from two things.

First, you make multiple finished items. You choose to create three Jamaican souvenirs. That means your money goes toward tangible objects you will actually keep, not just a single craft.

Second, you’re not paying only for the craft table. You also get the garden and farm setting, the food tastings (Jamaican soup, exotic fruits, and tea are part of the experience description), plus bottled water included.

For the best value, go in with clear packing and gift plans. If you’ll likely keep one or two pieces and gift the others, you’ll feel the value immediately when you pick up your finished souvenirs.

What to Bring (So You Enjoy It From Minute One)

You don’t need much, but a little prep makes a big difference.

Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting stained or splashed, since you’ll be working with craft materials like beads and other items tied to the souvenir making. Add closed-toe shoes if you have them, especially because the property includes outdoor areas and farm features.

If you want to use your own beach shells, bring them in a way that keeps them from breaking. If you don’t, you can choose shells on-site, which makes this easier.

If you’re sensitive to heat, plan for shade breaks. The art table is under an ackee tree, but you’ll still spend time outdoors around fruit trees and the farm.

Weather and Comfort: The Main Day-Of Consideration

This experience requires good weather. That’s important because it’s an outdoor, hands-on setup with garden walks and farm viewing.

If your travel dates land in rain-heavy weeks, keep an eye on the forecast and build in flexibility. The best version of this workshop is the one where you can enjoy the property at full pace without rushing.

Should You Book A Mi Mek It! in Montego Bay?

I’d book this if you want a souvenir that feels personal, not pre-made. You’re paying for a short, structured making session plus a real garden and farm visit, and you end up with three finished Jamaican items.

Skip it if you want a purely indoor activity, or if you hate the idea of using your hands. Also think twice if you’re traveling with tight packing constraints, because glass and calabash pieces can need careful handling.

If you’re staying near Montego Bay and you’re close to the airport or downtown, the location makes it easy to fit into a half day. And if you’re the kind of person who wants to go home with proof you did something, this is one of the simplest ways to do it.

FAQ

How long is the A Mi Mek It! souvenirs workshop?

It runs for about 3 hours.

Where does the workshop start and end?

It starts at SoMom Mobay Lodging & Experiences on Leader Avenue in Montego Bay and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered.

What souvenir items can I make?

You can choose to make three different Jamaican souvenirs, with options that include jewelry, a glass made from a Red Stripe beer bottle, a candle made with calabash, and a body scrub, plus other craft possibilities.

What is included in the price?

Bottled water is included. Snacks and soda/pop are not listed as included.

What should I do about shells?

You can bring your own shells, or you can choose from a selection of shells that are hand-picked from Jamaica.