TDmonthly - Homeschoolers

The Getting Started Drawing & Sketching Set from Faber-Castell is a complete set to learn basic drawing and sketching techniques such as hatching, shading and smudging. The set comes with a fully illustrated 24-page instruction booklet to help students get started with drawing. The set features four graphite sketch pencils, two charcoal pencils, one blending torchon, a sharpener, an eraser and a pad of acid-free art paper.

Colorfully coated copper wire can be shaped into spirals, twisted, tied in knots, crimped or coiled. The Jewelry Kit makes bracelets, earrings and necklaces. It includes one finished sample. The whole thing is packaged in a new brightly colored clear vinyl craft bag and comes with instructions. The bag measures 7½” by 4½” by 1½”.

Included in this kit is an intricate detailed wooden sandwich board. Added to the kit is a mini boa that can be worn as a bracelet or used to dress the doll. Useful tools, scissors, stencils and glue, along with playful features like buttons, stickers, feathers and trendy fabrics in bold colors and patterns, make each set a do-it-yourself design kit for budding fashionistas. The Design Studio, which comes with a tote bag, measures 17.5" by 17.5".

Kids discover the secrets of ancient Egypt as they wrap a mummy, paint a sarcophagus and construct a pyramid bank. They can decorate their artifacts with specially formulated water-activated plaster gauze, sand paint, shiny jewel rhinestones and metallic accents. Designs are finished with authentic hieroglyphic stickers. The kit includes latex-free crafting gloves, table cover and a handy no-mess mixing tray. It was launched in March 2006.

This 17-piece ceramic tea set comes with four cups, four saucers, four plates, a teapot, a creamer and a sugar bowl. Girls can paint the tea set with any pattern or design using ceramic paint. A tea party is a timeless activity enjoyed by both children and adults. Older girls will enjoy painting this miniature set as a collectable for their room or as an accessory for their doll collection.

Creativity for Kids has come out with a brand new flip-flop kit that gives tween girls a little elevation: They have wedge-style heels for maximum fashionability. The kit comes with two flip-flop styles so it makes a great mother/daughter activity or fun for two friends. The larger pair features a fun, chunky heel and has blue and pink stripes, and the smaller pair is pink with circles. They come with self-adhesive sequin trims, sparkling angel eyelash yarn and iridescent butterflies. The kit was launched in February 2006.
— “Flip-flops have been hot,” enthused Michelle Deutschmann, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Falmouth, Mass. Half of retailers who sold make-your-own clothing kits said that flip-flops were their best items, and it was the most popular kit in this survey.
— “Flip-flop kits keep selling,” agreed Rich Gordon, owner of the Learning Express in Exton, Pa.
— “Flip-flops have been strong for a couple of years,” said Kate Tanner, owner of Kid Stop Toy & Book Store in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Each box comes with two hats. The kit includes an adjustable fabric baseball hat and a visor. Peel-and-stick felt shapes let little hands decorate with ease. The hat can be finished off with pretty fabric ribbons. Launch date: 2006.
— “It’s really darling,” enthused Trish Garlock of Treasured Child in La Grange, Ky. “There’s also a ribbon-and-felt tote bag that looks like it’ll match.”
— Of the 14 retailers who carried make-your-own clothing items, 10 said that Creativity for Kids kits were among their best sellers.
— Boys who want cool caps, too, can make CFK’s “Creature Caps.”

Each puzzle box includes 105 to 127 magnetic foam monkey pieces, six transparent templates, 16 printed pictures and a metal box with lid to use as a creative workspace. In addition to the templates provided, kids can create other designs from their own wild imaginations. The fun foam magnets stick firmly to the metal case lid and everything fits nicely inside when playtime is over. Each lid includes a colorful picture of a theme and five fun ideas to jumpstart the active mind.

Wire plus imagination equals lots of fun. These kits are designed for all ages. The projects are easy to make and the kit comes with a booklet of instructions and ideas. The colorful copper wire can be shaped into spirals, twisted, tied into knots, crimped and coiled. It comes in a brightly colored and fun see-through vinyl craft bag that includes one pre-made item inside each kit.

In addition to classic Woodkins, which are meant for girls 3 and up, the fairy and princess lines are designed for older girls with more dexterity. This lovely princess comes with a variety of sparkly fabrics for her ensembles, as well as a variety of expressive faces that girls change to match the outfit’s mood. This Princess comes in her own vinyl carrying case.
— Woodkins are a perfect gift for little girls, said Grafton Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa. Other retailers agreed.
— “Woodkins are great,” said Julie Petoia, mother of three girls who’ve collected many of the wooden fashion toys.
— “Woodkins has become a classic,” said Pamela Drake, president of the company. “Hopefully it will continue to be so forever.” New princess, beach and seasonal fairy Woodkins are coming in 2006.

Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is a writer/artist/filmmaker whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), among others. Her short films have played in festivals around the world and have been broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks. Her short romantic comedy, "The Three-Body Solution," was sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and won a Director's Award at the Hearts & Minds Film Festival in 2010. Alison has been documenting the specialty toy industry since 2005 with a series of articles and videos for TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author

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