March 2010 New Specialty Toys — Arts & Crafts

Girls can create their very own mirror that sparkles and shines. They simply peel, stick, and follow the numbered pattern to achieve perfectly stunning results every time. "Not only is this kit a fun and easy craft activity; it's also a fully functioning desk-top, or wall-mounted, mirror upon completion," Damien Crocker, U.S. Specialty Sales Manager, The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 31, 2010.

Girls simply peel, stick, and follow the numbered pattern to create their own shimmering Diary, which features a heart-shaped lock, a lipstick pen and reflective cover. "Of course, our top-quality designs always set our kits apart, but even more than that is the added value involved when fitting a craft activity and a completely functional Diary into one package. When you combine top-quality design with amazing value, you get a truly incredible product," Damien Crocker, U.S. Specialty Sales Manager, The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 15, 2010.

Girls can create a spectacular tiara with sparkling jewels and foam stickers. It's designed to be the ultimate fashion accessory for any young princess. They just peel, stick, and follow the numbered template to achieve perfect results every time. "Not only is this kit a craft project, but, when it's completed, it's also a functional tiara that will help any young girl feel like a princess!" Damien Crocker, U.S. Specialty Sales Manager, The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 15, 2010.

The Sketch Jr is Hi-Tec Art LLC's most versatile version of Hi-Tec Art. It runs on three AA batteries and is very lightweight and portable. Includes patented technology that lets the user "play" with LEDs. There are three versions of this toy: Camo for boys, Flower Power for girls, and Games for kids of all ages. "The technology is brand new, the possibilities are endless, and kids absolutely love bringing light to their art!" Roy Smith, CEO, Hi-Tec Art, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 5, 2010.

Girls can create a spectacular Tiara with sparkling jewels and foam stickers. They simply peel, stick, and follow the numbered template for perfect results every time. "Not only is our Butterfly Tiara a craft project, but it also has added play value, allowing any girl to make believe she is a Princess!" Damien Crocker, U.S. Specialty Sales Manager, The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 15, 2010.

Kids can create a spectacular crown with stunning jewels and foam stickers. "Our Kingly Crown stands above because it allows boys to take part in fantasy and make-believe play. There are not many craft kits on the market today that offer a craft project with the added play value involved with the Kingly Crown. It's also easy to use! As always, simply follow the numbered pattern for perfect results every time," Damien Crocker, U.S. Specialty Sales Manager, The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 15, 2010.

This kit contains more than 500 shimmering jewels, and the box itself is felt lined, with a mirror on the inside cover. Girls follow the pattern for perfect results every time. Launch date: March 15, 2010.
— In early 2011, Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash. continues to do well with Sticky Mosaics, particulary Heart Box.

With Stick 'N Style craft kits, girls just follow the numbered pattern to create stunning bracelets every time. "Make-your-own jewelry kits are prevalent in the market right now, but no one has been able to successfully bring the concept to a 5 year old. Our kit allows a 5 year old the ability to create stunning results, with no parental supervision. They must simply follow the numbered pattern for stunning results every time!" Damien Crocker, U.S. Specialty Sales Manager, The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 15, 2010.

This is a classic old-school wood caddy made to help kids keep their art supplies organized. Each caddy can be customized with the name of the child in the color of their choosing. It is offered in a clear finish or stained Mahogany and comes fully stocked with crayons, markers, pencils, finger paints, scissors, glue, water color paints, modeling clay, construction paper and a doodle pad. A tool box version is also offered, and includes a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers and more. Launch date: February 14, 2010.

This compact, easy to use projector is designed to provide hours of entertainment and creativity. It teaches how to trace and write the alphabet and numbers (for ages 3 to 4 years). Kids over 4 years can trace and draw 24 animals and write their names in English/Spanish. A bright LED provides a clear image along with long battery life. The size of the image can be adjusted to suit the drawing surface. Awards: 2009 Creative Child Preferred Choice Award. Launch date: October 2009.

Fridge Artist Magnetic Colors are small (1/4"x1/4") colored magnet tiles. Each Magnetic Colors kit contains over 2300 magnetic tiles (192 magnetic tiles of each color) in 12 fun, food-inspired colors. Make art with these tiles with the refrigerator as the easel.

This fragrance-free natural sculpting dough is certified organic and certified gluten free. Packaged in recyclable and reusable containers, the naturally anti-microbial dough is made in the USA. It comes in brown, white, yellow, red, orange, purple, blue and green.

Cardamom is used in aromatherapy to awaken the senses and refresh the mind. 100% natural and gluten free. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Sweet Orange is used in aromatherapy to treat depression and inspire focus. Beautiful orange colored clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Bergamot is used in aromatherapy to ease anxiety. Beautiful yellow colored clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Lavender is used in aromatherapy, and everyday life! to soothe and create a sense of calm. Beautiful lavender colored clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Lemongrass is used in aromatherapy to inspire creativity. Beautiful greenish yellow clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Chamomile is used in aromatherapy to calm, soothe, relax and help prepare for sleep. Beautiful night sky colored clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

Geranium scented play clay. Geranium is used in aromatherapy as a balancing oil. Beautiful rose colored clay. Comes in a re-usable recyclable PP tub with a hinged lid so the lid won't be lost. Warning: Choking hazard. For children ages 3 and up.

This spiral-bound book with 60 pages of unlined sketch paper is the perfect place to create. The 7” by 9” notebook features a whimsical illustration on the front, and eeBoo offers other art items to match, such as colored pencil sets and journals.
— “Eeboo drawing pads have been a big hit. Every time we get them in, they are gone immediately; good quality and good price,” said Casey Sartain, buyer for Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah, during a January 2010 survey of best-selling art items.

Do-A-Dot Art Markers combine the ease of a marker, the bright color of paints, and the fun of a stamp into a low-mess art supply that appeals to a wide range of ages.  A gentle squeeze moistens the circular sponge tip with paint.  Kids can create free-form works of impressionist art by stamping dots of paint on paper, or use this technique to fill in special coloring books designed for Do-A-Dot markers. This pack contains five colors — pink, yellow, orange, green and purple — in 2.5-oz. bottles.
— “Things like Do-A-Dot, which are reasonably inexpensive compared to a $20 to $30 craft kit,” said Chris Kusy, owner of Rhyme 'N Reason Toys in Pembroke, Mass., of top-selling arts and crafts items in early 2010.
— Out of 48 retailers who participated in a January 2010 survey of arts and crafts best sellers, five named Do-A-Dot Art Markers.

Photographs of a girl's friends, family and self mixed with a little creativity turn this kit into a bright colored, highly personalized scrapbook. Kids can collect and celebrate their favorite memories by creating beautiful pages that retell the story with decorative paper, rhinestones, stickers, and exciting pop-up pieces. The hardcover scrapbook measures 9” x 11.5”.
— “Creativity for Kids Scrapbook kit, that's a good one,” stated David Hesel, owner of The Toy Shop of Concord in Concord, Mass., when asked about his best-selling craft items in early 2010.
— Greg Larson, owner of Larson's Toys and Games in Columbus, Ohio, told TDmonthly Creativity for Kids supplies his best selling craft items. “The whole new line from Creativity for Kids, we got it in in September [2009] and it’s been doing very well.”
— Twenty-five percent of 48 retailers surveyed in January 2010 named Creativity for Kids as their top-selling craft line.

These little cuties have been individually custom-molded from nontoxic wax crayons. Their faces are then hand-carved into their egg-shaped bodies, one egg at a time. They are ergonomically shaped for little hands, although they are great for all ages. They stand on their own and come in a half-dozen egg crate. Also sold individually. They measure 1.25" wide x 1.6" high.