business advice - Craft Focus Magazine

crafts for kids
Get them while they’re young and you’ve got crafting
customers for years! We look at products and test kits
aimed at creative children
kids crafts
These diverse products have all been designed with kids in mind and range from traditional
cross stitch or sewing packs to some funky and fashionable ideas like recycled paper crafting,
friendship bracelets and creating a white board for the bedroom. We’ve found products to
suit girls and boys, that they can make on their own or with a little help.
Far from cross
Heritage Crafts Junior series has been designed to
introduce children of seven years and upwards to counted
cross stitch. The kits contain Zweigart 11 count Aida fabric,
full colour chart, DMC stranded cottons and a needle.
Practice material and thread are also included. Their
Minikits are ideal for beginners or for cards and coasters.
These counted cross stitch designs contain only whole
stitches and can easily be stitched in an afternoon. The kits
contain Zweigart fabric, DMC stranded cottons, a needle,
and clear charts and instructions. We particularly loved the
Junior Dolphin kit and the Meerkats and Bay Pony Minikits. For further information,
T: +44(0)1889 575 328, E: enquiries@hcrafts.com, www.hcrafts.com.
All buttoned up
Beautiful packaged and with over 30 different kits,
there is something for everyone among the Buttonbag
collection. “Our kits are mainly for children, but we also
have some aimed at teenagers and adults,” explained
Sarah Marks. The kits are sold online from their website
or via retail outlets. “We introduce new kits every
season, either a completely new design or new fabrics
in best selling kits such as the Love Hearts sewing kit”
she added. Everything needed is included. Sewing kits
have needles, sticking kits have glue. “Our craft kits are
the perfect way to introduce children to sewing and the thrill and satisfaction of making their
own toys, jewellery and accessories.” Not all Buttonbag kits involve sewing - there's plenty
of cutting and gluing to get stuck into. “Christmas is our busiest time as our kits make perfect
gifts, and we also have a new range of Christmas craft kits for children and adults”. These
include an advent calendar, tree decorations, sew your own stocking or their ever popular
Nativity peg doll kit. Further information: T: +44 (0)208 525 1640, E: studio@buttonbag.
co.uk, www.buttonbag.co.uk.
Scary spiders!
Hot glue guns are fun to use, so Antex Craft have produced
one with children in mind. The Krazy Meltz kit includes a 7w,
6V cordless glue gun,10 coloured, 10 glow in the dark and 3
general purpose glue sticks, 2 brooch backs, a magnetic strip
for a fridge magnet and some baking parchment. On the box
back are instructions for use and lots of ideas including how-to
make fl owers, scary spiders and bugs! Further info
T: +(0)1822 617598, E: sales@antex.co.uk, www.antexcraft.com.
Sweet dreams
Babydreamcatcher.com is a new British company,
offering traditional a Native American craft in
the form of a dreamcatcher. Dreamcatchers
are a wooden or metal hoop, decorated with a
complicated web of cord or sinew with beads
and feathers. They were traditionally hung on the
cradleboards of new-born babies to protect them
from bad dreams whilst they slept and to entertain
them when they were awake. Business owner and
designer, Gaynor Marshall said “Babydreamcatcher.
com offers the opportunity to hand-make a unique
and very personal gift for baby that may very well
become an heirloom of the future.”
Although dreamcatchers were originally created
as traditional gifts for new babies, the popularity of
the hand-crafted items has grown and they are now
regarded as the perfect gifts for those hard to buy
for friends and relatives. Prices range from £8.99
to £16. For more info: E: babydreamcatcher@gmail.
com; www.babydreamcatcher.com.
Three into one will go
Paintable nesting dolls are the perfect craft
projects for all ages. Krasnaya Nesting Dolls
have a selection of kits, each of which includes
the nesting dolls or animals with drawn outlines,
paints and paint brush. They also offer a
Christmas pack with tree, Santa and snowman
to paint and a Crafta Pals set to design and
create your own nesting trio. Further info
T: +44 (0) 1246 208 482, E: sales@krasnaya.
co.uk, www.krasnaya.co.uk.
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