TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Arts & Crafts Product Category

Paper Factory by ALEX BRANDS

Giving kids the chance to make recycled paper by hand, this kit includes construction paper, a papermaking tray, two screens, two boards, six poster paints, ribbons, wooden beads and additional accessories.
— Owner of The Toy Shop in Lexington, Ky., and Erica Welton, manager of Bedford Falls Toy Shop in Charlotte, N.C., both told TDmonthly in early 2008 that Alex’s craft kits for older kids are the best-sellers in their store. ( Watch Video) 2/18/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Forster Woodsies Motorized Engraving Tool & Wood Set by LOEW-CORNELL INC.

This set comes with assorted wood shapes and a special tool that allows children to customize their projects with three different engraving heads. Launch date: 2008. 2/18/2008

Shrinky Dinks® Tiki Island Party Pack by JOOBLI STUDIO

Suitable for up to eight people, this party pack includes a themed color poster that doubles as a photo frame, eight sheets of Frosted Ruff-N'-Ready shrinkable plastic, at least 32 line-art images for tracing, eight invitations and envelopes, and eight key chains for bag tag favors. It also comes with "Make-&-Bake" instructions. ( Watch Video) 2/18/2008 (Price: $17.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My First Painting – Music by ALEX BRANDS

The painting set features four preprinted 6” x 6” canvases. The set includes eight 0.4 fl. oz. tubes of acrylic paint, four brushes, a mixing palette and a painting guide. Launch date: 2008. 2/14/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Glow-in-the-Dark PlayFoam Six-Pack by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

The neon-colored foam glows when the lights are turned off. The foam sculpting beads are reusable, lightweight, non-toxic and won’t dry, harden or stick to surfaces, providing hours of mess-free fun. The pack includes six neon bricks in white, green, pink, yellow, blue and orange.
— “PlayFoam has been selling extremely well for about the last two years,” said Owner Melodie Ingwersen of Creative Kids Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., in early spring 2008.
— “Our No. 1 activity set is PlayFoam,” Ingwersen reiterated in April 2008.
— In April 2008, four of 50 retailers named play foam as a best-selling item, while two of the four named Educational Insight’s product as the best-selling kit their stores. 2/12/2008 (Price: $10.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sproutz® 4 Station Art Center by JONTI-CRAFT INC.

The art center features material made from recycled wood waste and formaldehyde-free resin. The unit also features KYDZSafe® edges, KYDZStrong® construction and KYDZTuff® finish, allowing it to stand up to everyday classroom use. Ample elbow and storage room makes the unit perfect for children. This item is an Instructor Magazine Teacher’s Pick Award winner. 2/12/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shrinky Dinks® Circus Jubilee Party Pack by JOOBLI STUDIO

Ladies and gentlemen! Children of all ages! Step right up and behold the most sensational "big top party in a box." Wow your friends with P.T. Shrink's spectacular invitations and incredible shrinking plastic. Circus art transforms into fabulous party favors right before your eyes. You're the ringmaster of this circus celebration, so let the fun begin! 2/11/2008 (Price: $17.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Design a Heavenly Pet Wardrobe by FASHION ANGELS

Design fabulous clothing and accessories for 5 paper dogs! Includes 5 paper dogs, 100+ patterns, fabric, appliques, glitter paints, ribbons, stickers, glass beads, gems, sequins, instructions and more! 2/1/2008 (Price: $27.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Play Go Go Pack by THE PIGGY STORY INC.

The backpack contains ten washable double-sided markers, an activity book, sticker sheets and a removable pocket pouch. The water-resistant backpack also features a laminated cover for easy cleaning, a lightweight design, Velcro closure, adjustable shoulder straps, a slotted marker pocket and an ID card slot. Five patterns are available. 1/31/2008 (Price: $40.00)

MY FIRST PAINTING – Puppy Paradise by ALEX BRANDS

With this set, kids can mix their own colors and paint on a real artist’s canvas. They can begin with the printed outlines, then go wild with personal touches. Each set comes with a 10” x12” canvas, three brushes, six tubes of acrylic paint (12ml. each), a mixing palette and a color wheel. “Children will enjoy working on a real stretched canvas with high-quality paints and brushes. The provided line-art makes it easy for children to create an impressive canvas painting. They will feel an enormous sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem,” said Elin Kabo, director of communications for Alex-Panline. Launch date: February 2007. 1/30/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dolphins in the Sea Pencil-by-Number by DIMENSIONS/PERLER

Carefully gliding among the coral, playful dolphins enjoy a swim in their favorite cove. This delightful kit includes 12 colored pencils, a sharpener, printed board and kid-friendly instructions to create this underwater masterpiece. Size: 9" x 12" 1/30/2008 (Price: $6.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Creepy Crawlers Bug Maker by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

Kids can transform slime into bugs by pouring the special Plasti-Goop compound in the molds and turning up the heat. Then they let the creatures cool and out pops something scary. The set includes a baking oven, four Plasti-Goop bottles, a detailing pen with four tips, two molds, a goop FX pick, two storage trays and a spatula and cooling tray. The product requires one 60-watt, small-base light bulb (not included). “There is a very strong nostalgia factor with Creepy Crawlers that has kept the toy relevant to young parents today. They recognize the smell of the baking-bug goop and are instantly brought back to days when they were making and baking bugs and Creepy Crawlers critters themselves. Today’s Creepy Crawlers' Bug-Maker Ovens are safer than ever before,” said Genna Rosenberg, senior vice president of corporate communications and investor relations for JAKKS Pacific Inc.. 1/30/2008

Digital Arts & Crafts Studio by FISHER-PRICE INC.

This set allows kids to play and create works of art on their computer. They can use the included stylus as a pencil, a paintbrush, a crayon, a stamper and more. The digital studio comes with a USB cable connection and software installation CD-ROM. Additional arts and crafts projects are available on other Digital Arts & Crafts Studio software. This program is compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. 1/29/2008 (Price: $50.00)

Craft DIY by RED STAR HOLDINGS LTD.

The instruction booklet includes step-by-step directions and illustrations on how to crochet. Learn to crochet anything from headbands to necklaces to bracelets. 1/17/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Princess Mirror - DYO by MELISSA & DOUG

Each set comes with a special keepsake and plenty of materials to decorate and personalize the mirror. Kids can decorate their mirrors with hearts, jewels, glitter glue, ribbons and more. The entire set is organized neatly in a handy wooden case.
— LB Toys Owner Jamie Burdette in Media, Pa., told TDmonthly that Melissa & Doug’s decorate-your-own kits are so popular that her store sells “40 to 60 per month.”  Sallie Kashiwa, owner of Timbuk Toys in Denver said in July 2008 that her store sells 15 to 20 units per month of the Princess Mirror.
— Lyn Copeland, owner of Copelin’s Toy Zone in Norman, Okla., said that when it comes to Melissa & Doug items, her store sells “over 100 per month.”
— More than 13 percent of retailers told TDmonthly that Melissa & Doug’s arts-and-crafts products are their best arts-and-crafts sellers. In addition to this item, bead and magnetic dress-up sets by Melissa & Doug were also named as popular gifts for girls in a summer 2008 survey of 66 retailers. 1/16/2008 (Price: $9.99)

Dr. Seuss Sticker Activity Tote by PEACEABLE KINGDOM

The kit consists of 90 reusable stickers that can be arranged and rearranged on three backgrounds: “The Cat in the Hat,” “Green Eggs and Ham” and “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.” The tote makes the entire kit convenient for on-the-go fun anywhere. Launch date: December 2007.
— Pamela Byers, owner of The Ark Toy Company in San Francisco, Calif., told TDmonthly that her store sells “about 60” Peaceable Kingdom sticker totes per month.
— Over 20 different sticker-activity tote themes are available in Peaceable Kingdom Press’s Sticker Activity Tote line, including The Little Farm, Knights & Dragons, At the Ballet and Fire Station.
— Five percent of retailers told TDmonthly that sticker kits are their best-selling arts-and-crafts item. 1/16/2008 (Price: $9.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Paper Fashions by KLUTZ

The craft kit includes plastic stencils that allow kids to easily trace perfectly proportioned pants, purses, skirts, scarves, sweaters and shoes, and then embellish their designs with sequins and ribbons. The creations can be hung or mounted onto greeting cards, gift bags, lockers and more. This product is a Parents’ Choice Gold Award and National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award winner.
— Laura Pearson, manager of The Durango Kid in Durango, Colo., said her store sells “100 to 200 [Klutz kits] a month.”
— The Three Bears' Manager Ms. Rene, in Ruidos, N.M., told TDmonthly that when it comes to Klutz, her store sells “about 100 per month.”
— Over 13 percent of retailers told TDmonthly that Klutz Inc. products are their best arts-and-crafts sellers. ( Watch Video) 1/16/2008 (Price: $19.95)

Jacquard Products - Hoop Painting Fun Bag (JAC9610) by JACQUARD PRODUCTS

The kit includes everything needed to create beautiful translucent silk paintings on pre-stretched silk hoops. Adult supervision is recommended for young children. 1/11/2008 (Price: $13.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Disney High School Musical Iron-On Transfer Kit by JANLYNN CORP.

This High School Musical Iron on Transfer Kit features 1 large Iron on Transfer of your favorite HSM characters along with 3 small icons that can be used on your shirt or to coordinate additional accessories. The Kit also includes 1 Glitter paint pen to personalize your shirt with your name or favorite HSM slogan. Go Wildcats!

Available in 15 Licensed Disney Designs
Adult Supervision recommended for ironing 1/9/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pigma® Sensei™ Manga Drawing Set by SAKURA OF AMERICA

The set includes a 0.7mm mechanical pencil, an eraser and archival quality Pigma® ink pens in 0.3, 0.4, 0.6 and 1.0mm line widths. The versatility of the four pen-tip sizes is perfect for both beginning and experienced illustrators. “Pigma Sensei invites creativity by providing the basic illustration tools for manga or comic artists to have on-hand at conventions, classes or sketching on-the-go,” Sakura of America Marketing Assistant Linda K. Lyon told TDmonthly. Additionally, “the illustration booklet points out to beginners which line widths work for details, lettering and bold effects.” Launch date: January 2008. 1/8/2008 (Price: $12.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Short Stuffs: Create Your Own No-Sew Stuffed Animals by KLUTZ

Kids can make their own snuggly friend without sewing a single stitch. Just stuff the two soft fabric bodies with the included squishy “pillows,” and then choose from the ready-made felt features — ears, noses, arms, and tails — to create a distinctive animal. Sturdy Velcro tabs ensure that all of the parts attach and detach with ease, so kids can make a monkey, mouse, dog, cat, bird or bunny. Launch date: March 2008.
— Chicken Sox products are popular at Clever Kids in Rochester, Minn., according to Owner Michelle Beyer. “The price point is great and the activities are all super for young kids, ages 3 to 6 especially,” she said in late 2007. 1/2/2008 (Price: $16.95)

Draw it Again, and Again, and Again and Again by KLUTZ

The reusable drawing book allows kids to draw on the pages without permanently marking them. The book comes with 20 laminated pages and four erasable markers. Each page contains a simple photographed image that is ready to be transformed into a work of art. Draw it Again is an ideal quiet-time busy book, equally at home, on a plane, in a restaurant or in your family room. Launch date: March 2008. 1/2/2008 (Price: $12.95)

Quick Draw Flip Books by KLUTZ

Anyone can turn his or her doodles into amazing motion pictures. The backs feature several sets of perforated pages, each with a sequence of partially finished pictures illustrating a funny story. Complete the drawings in one’s own inimitable style, tear out the pages, bind them with one of the included custom clips and flip the pages to see one’s art in action. The book comes with four sturdy clips, a set of colorful mini-markers, enough tear-‘em-out pages to make eight distinctive flip books and a how-to guide. Launch date: March 2008.
— “They are a wonderful price and they are all great,” Owner Michelle Beyer of Clever Kids Toy Shop in Rochester, Minn., told TDmonthly in late 2007. “Each book is packed full of great activities. We are the top seller of KLUTZ in Minnesota!” 1/2/2008 (Price: $14.95)

Bead Loom Bracelets by KLUTZ

The book features detailed instructions and step-by-step illustrations for making seven different bracelets. The book comes with all the necessary supplies, including a bead loom, beading floss, needles and thousands of sparkling seed beads, bugle beads and specialty beads. The bead loom requires no assembly and collapses neatly for easy storage. Launch date: March 2008. 1/2/2008 (Price: $24.95)

Pressions for Kids by PRESSIONS

Pressions is a kit that allows anyone to make beautiful raised prints of a baby’s or child’s hand or foot. It is made in the same frame that it is later displayed in. The finished product has a beautiful sand finish and will be treasured for years to come. Launch date: August 2007.
— “Pressions allows multiple attempts at getting the perfect print — you can even put it away and pull it out weeks later,” Pauline Leach of Continual Inspirations told TDmonthly. “The finished product is a raised rather than indented print and looks so professional and unique that you won’t believe it was that easy to make.” 1/2/2008 (Price: $43.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]