May 2011 Notable Toys — Arts & Crafts

This comprehensive set includes a pretty flower-themed workstation with swiveling stem and easy open and close access to the storage case for beads.  The flower features an easy spray system-just arrange the colorful beads on the provided templates; press the flower stem to mist, and watch as the beads magically stick together. Complete with more than 800 beads and five template sheets.

Whirl ‘n Wear Charms basic kit is the Spectacular Spinner which includes an innovative threader that allows children to make necklaces, bracelets, anklets and key chains more safely, easily and quickly.  Children become designers as they place the charms in their desired pattern, spin the wheel, insert the string threader and spin the wheel again to create a unique and colorful accessory to wear or gift.  There is no tying or knotting necessary.  The Spectacular Spinner Set includes the automatic stringing machine, 37 large charms, 48 small charms, 12 end fasteners, 3 keychain attachments, 4 large spacers, 4 small spacers and over 9-½ feet of clear elastic string.

Kids can Whipple up 12 treats including cupcakes and pies. The set includes a two-tiered "cake," which doubles as a keepsake box that can be decorated with crème and dazzle with rhinestones and beads. Great for parties and take home "treats."

Mezco continues its adventures in the universe of Little Big Planet as it reaches into the magical world of Little Big Planet and brings SackBoy to life with an all-new figure that can be decorated and customized. The Little Big Planet SackBoy Do-It-Yourself Figure stands 9 inches tall. Cast in pure white vinyl he is ready to be customized. Kids can paint him, use markers, or add glitter. The Little Big Planet SackBoy Do-It-Yourself Figure features 5 points of articulation and is packaged in a collector friendly window box. Launch date: June 2011.

Crayola ColorStudio HD is an entirely new digital play experience, coupling a multi-activity drawing application for iPad (Crayola ColorStudio HD App) with a custom-built digital stylus, called Crayola iMarker™. Together with iMarker, the ColorStudio HD App allows young artists to color and interact with special “live” animated coloring book pages that move and react as they color, combining custom-produced pictures, animations, music, sound effects, and high quality special effects. Like a marker, crayon, pen, and paintbrush in one, iMarker creates favorite Crayola colors within the ColorStudio HD App. iMarker safely interacts with iPad's Multi-Touch display, allowing the ColorStudio HD app to differentiate between the child’s input (fingers, swipes, etc.) and the iMarker automatically. Launch date: Spring 2011.

Now you kids write on the walls without getting in trouble. Put large sheets of light-sensitive paper on the wall (or ceiling) and use the included laser to write sharp, bright- green drawings. The effect is terrific in a dark room. Comes with two poster-size wall clings that can be put together for really monumental drawing spaces.

Who doesn't want their own neon sign? This toy is packaged with themed templates, such as Cars or Disney Princess, to create a neon sign on. Older kids can be really creative by using the colorful glowing threads to write or draw anything they choose.

The newest addition to the Shrinky Dinks line. This 6 sheet pack of Shrinky Dinks Sunshine Yellow allows you to brighten up your Shrinky Dinks projects without using a bright marker or paint. This sunny yellow can be used as a background with our other plastics or can be used to accent anything...or use it alone to make your own bright shining piece. Use Sunshine Yellow with Permanent Marker, Paint Pens or Alcohol based rubber stamping inks. Creative fun for more "BRIGHT" ideas.

Trace, bake, shrink and build your favorite sea life in 3D! Classic Shrinky Dinks® with a new 3D twist! Make your favorite sea creatures: octopuses, dolphins, sharks and more. The new 3D Shrinky Dinks® Sea Life kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets (5” x 8”) and Sea Life tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions and you’ll be making your own 3D ocean in no time! "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that show kids how to make real 3D figures," a rep from BSW Toys told TDmonthly.

Trace, bake, shrink and build your favorite zoo animals in 3-D. Make your favorite safari animals: Pandas, tigers, elephants and more. The new 3-D Shrinky Dinks Zoo Safari kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets (5” x 8”) and Zoo Safari tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions. "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that show kids how to make real 3D figures," Andrew Tober, director of creative development for BSW Toy, told TDmonthly.

Trace, bake, shrink and build your Fairy Princesses in 3-D. Make your own fairy princesses, wings, flowers, jewles and more. The new 3-D Shrinky Dinks Fairy Princess kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets (5” x 8”) and Fairy Princess tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions. "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that show kids how to make real 3D figures," Andrew Tober, director of creative development for BSW Toy, told TDmonthly.

Trace, bake, shrink and build your favorite Military Aircraft in 3-D. Classic Shrinky Dinks with a new 3-D twist! Make your favorite Fighter and bombers: the F-117 stealth, B-2 bomber, F-22 raptor and more. The new 3-D Shrinky Dinks® Military Aircraft kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets (5” x 8”) and Military Aircraft tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions. "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that show kids how to make real 3D figures," Andrew Tober, director of creative development for BSW Toy, told TDmonthly.

Trace, bake, shrink and build your favorite Space Shuttles in 3-D! Classic Shrinky Dinks with a new 3-D twist. Make your own space program with the Astronauts, Space Shuttles, planets and more. The new 3-D Shrinky Dinks Space kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets (5” x 8”) and Space tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions. "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that show kids how to make real 3-D figures," Andrew Tober, director of creative development for BSW Toy, told TDmonthly.

These Sticky Mosaics Singles are the party-sized answer for a rainy afternoon or long car ride. With no mess, these small, portable kits are simple and fun for both boys and girls. Each includes 1 project, 1 wall hanger and over 400 sparkling tiles and jewels. Follow a simple numbered legend and create a beautiful mosaic with Sticky Mosaics singles. "Perfect for travel, stocking stuffers and party favors, Sticky Mosaics Singles are the perfect size for a quick craft on a rainy day or surprise gift for a special little girl or boy," Stephanie Carver from The Orb Factory told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

Sticky Mosaics Tropical Friends comes with 4 sparkling projects, 4 plastic wall hangers and over 2300 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces. Follow a simple numbered legend and stick on the colorful tiles and jewels to create a stunning masterpiece every time. This no mess, no fuss kit features colorful chameleons, hopping tree frogs and curious geckos. "Sticky Mosaics are not just crafts; they are works of art!  Just because a craft is completed doesn't mean the fun is done; display these mosaic masterpieces for years to come with the special wall hangers included in each kit," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly.

Sticky Mosaics Owl Pals comes with 4 sparkling projects, 4 plastic wall hangers and over 2500 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces. Follow a simple numbered legend and stick on the colorful tiles and jewels to create a stunning masterpiece every time. This no mess, no fuss kit features little owls peeking out of trees, snuggling under the moonlight and reading a book. "Sticky Mosaics are not just crafts; they are works of art!  Just because a craft is completed doesn't mean the fun is done; display these mosaic masterpieces for years to come with the special wall hangers included in each kit," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly.
— Retailers surveyed by TDmonthly have been naming The Orb Factory's Sticky Mosaics kits as a best-selling line since 2009.
— In late Spring 2011, 25% of retailers surveyed said Sticky Mosaics were their best-selling line of activity kits.

Sticky Mosaics Ocean Princess comes with 4 sparkling projects, 4 plastic wall hangers and over 2100 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces. Follow a simple numbered legend and stick on the colorful tiles and jewels. This no mess, no fuss kit features our underwater Princess with her fishy friends and submerged palace. "Sticky Mosaics are not just crafts; they are works of art!  Just because a craft is completed doesn't mean the fun is done; display these mosaic masterpieces for years to come with the special wall hangers included in each kit," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly.
— In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, Kelly Boone, manager of The Elephant's Trunk in Greenville, S.C., told TDmonthly that "Orb Factory's Sticky Mosaics, specifically Ocean Princess," are best selling arts and crafts items. They sell 10-12 each month.

This kit comes with four tiaras waiting to be decorated. Girls follow a simple numbered legend and stick over 900 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces to create a beautiful set of jeweled tiaras. Each of these tiara's come with its own special colored over-sized jewel. "Not just a craft, this kit results in four tiara's to be used for open-ended and imaginative play.  Every girl loves being a little princess, and with four different tiara's to choose from, this craft goes from art project to dress-up fun," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

With Sticky Mosaics Crowns of Kings boys decorate 6 different kingly crowns, all based on actual historical crowns. By following a simple numbered legend, boys stick more than  1300 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces onto the different crowns to recreate monarchies past. This kit also comes with an educational booklet featuring historical information on each individual crown. "Looking for a craft for a boys birthday party?  Sticky Mosaics Crowns of Kings comes with 6 different crowns and is perfect for all your little royals!  This quality craft kit is sure to entertain a group of boys as they make the crowns and then play with the finished products," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

Kids can create a jewel-by-number sticker to decorate their school supplies, locker, bathroom mirror, or even their little brother! Stick these works of art on anything, and turn ordinary into the extraordinary. These SparkleUps Cupcakes come with 8 reusable stickers one two sticker sheets with over 650 colorful sparkling jewels. Decorate and stick sweet cupcakes, candies, strawberries and cherries. "These reusable stickers are perfect for kids from 4 to 14!  They can be stuck and re stuck anywhere with no residue," Stephanie Carver, Communications Specialist at The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

Kids can create a jewel-by-number sticker to decorate their school supplies, locker, bathroom mirror, or even their little brother! Stick these works of art on anything, and turn ordinary into the extraordinary. These SparkleUps Butterflies come with 7 reusable stickers one two sticker sheets with over 600 colorful sparkling jewels. "These reusable stickers are perfect for kids from 4 to 14!  They can be stuck and re stuck anywhere with no residue," Stephanie Carver, Communications Specialist at The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

Kids can create a jewel-by-number sticker to decorate their school supplies, locker, bathroom mirror, and more. Stick these works of art on anything, and turn ordinary into the extraordinary. These SparkleUps Unicorns come with 7 reusable stickers one two sticker sheets with over 750 colorful sparkling jewels. Decorate and stick adorable unicorns, rainbows and hearts.  "These reusable stickers are perfect for kids from 4 to 14!  They can be stuck and re stuck anywhere with no residue," Stephanie Carver, Communications Specialist at The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

Trace, bake, shrink and build dinosaurs in 3-D. Make standing figurines of dinosaurs: the T.rex, Triceratops, and Brachiosaurs. The new 3-D Shrinky Dinks Dinosaur kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets (5” x 8”) and Dinosaur tracing sheets. Kids just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions. This is "The first kids craft kit to make 3-D Shrinky Dinks," Andrew Tober, Director of Creative Development at BSW Toy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

Sandtastik PlasterMix is easy-to-use and loads of fun. Just add water. Choose from 8 quick-setting colors to capture your favorite keepsake creations. WHITE, YELLOW, BLUE, PURPLE, RED, BROWN, ORANGE, & GREEN. Recommended for use with Sandtastik Molds. Conforms to ASTM D 4236 ACMI cert. AP non-toxic.