Henz says jewelry is also a big category for Shure’s tween customers. Shure has introduced three new fiber craft kits this year: Learn to Knit, Learn to Latch Hook and Learn to Weave. want to be creative,” says Peggy Henz, head of design at Chicago-based Shure Products. “I think there’s always an urge to want to make something and so I think the yarn crafts have always had that appeal and I think continue to have that appeal. When I settle on my projects, I always run them past teens, and I’m amazed at how, in Crochet, the hat, the scarf, the wearable are the ones that they’re really most excited about.” Klutz has a number of new wearable art book kits out this year Johnson says she expects new offerings in 2007 to continue to expand in that area. According to Anne Akers Johnson, senior editor at Klutz, Palo Alto, Calif., “Wearable crafts, jewelry, all that stuff is really strong for us. Many other kit companies are enjoying the resurgence in interest in fiber crafts among kids (and even teens), which has come on the heels of a recent knitting craze with adults. “Knitting, crocheting, embroidery and sewing kits do more than just provide materials, they teach a skill.” A feeling for fiber “Some of our biggest successes are with our classic craft products,” Will says. These are not your grandmother’s crafts! The skills are timeless, but the projects are completely on-trend.”Īlex is introducing a number of new fiber kits this year, including Sew Fun (a kit with a girl-sized sewing machine), My First Sewing Kit (for younger girls), a Super Embroidery Kit and a Simply Needlepoint kit. Girls are crazy about wearing and displaying fashions and accessories that they made themselves-that have a handmade look. “Sewing, knitting and other ‘classic’ craft activities have become very popular. When it comes to tween crafts, “anything that’s wearable continues to be hot, including jewelry, clothing and accessories,” says Ticia Will, director of product development for Alex, Northvale, N.J.
“Arts and crafts will always be a perennial seller since kids love to tap into their creativity, get a little bit messy and design something of their own.” Silver Dolphin specializes in colorful activity and novelty books for kids as well as fun, educational nonfiction. Lynn Brennan, general merchandising manager for Silver Dolphin Books, San Diego, agrees. We’re just seeing a lot of interest in the product.” So I think these kinds of things go in circles, and we’re back on the upswing again. Because I think people are getting a little fed up with how much time kids are spending…where they’re not really doing anything hands on or doing anything to use their imaginations actively, to generate anything. But even so, we’re just seeing that parents really are looking for a balance in their kids’ lives. “The thing that we’re competing with, obviously, is the computer stuff, the video stuff, all of that. “We’re not seeing the category go flat,” says Lisa Ritchey, public relations manager for Cleveland-based Creativity for Kids.
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