A tidal wave of creativity

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Jan, 2005

With a relentless tidal wave of great ideas, the masterminds behind Creativity for Kids--that would be Faber-Castell USA, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio--just keep cranking out outstanding products in rapid-fire fashion.

We always are quite impressed by the volume and quality of new offerings from Creativity. They consistently develop items to allow children's imaginations to go wild while creating keepsakes which are an endless source of pride.

Create an Under Water World ($19.99) using the provided handmade glass sea creatures, faux ocean foliage, and glass stones. Kids are free to add their own coins, sea shells, or other trinkets to create a sunken treasure or ... whatever--remember, the creativity is up to them. Contents include three sea creatures, fake foliage, blue stones, clear plastic aquarium tube with lid, and printed and blank backdrops.

For Make Your Own Fleece Pillow ($19.99), kids can use an easy, no-sew technique to put together a fun, fuzzy, and fashionable pillow with two funky fleece patterns. Create a fabulous, fluffy, faux fur and fantastic flower fashion statement for your own room. The kit includes 12" square pillow form (100% polyester stuffing), two squares of patterned fleece fabric, faux fur, flowers, an assortment of pom poms and accent beads, multi-colored thread, and embroidery needle.

"Le Most" Petite Purses ($15.99) gives girls a chance to be three times as creative as usual by providing "trois" ceramic purses to decorate with metal trim and chains, ceramic and glitter paint, and rhinestones. When the purses are complete, display them or keep small treasures inside.

Another treasure holder is the Create Your Own Vanity Box ($14.99), which contains an 8 1/2" tall vanity box with glass mirror and pull-out drawer, colorful rhinestones, eight-pot paint 2strip (six colors--plus silver and varnish), glue, and a fine-point art brush.

Keeping with the a-place-for-your-treasures theme, Faber-Castell has a Paint Your Own Wood Music Box ($14.99). It's 4" x 4" x 3" and lined with pink velvety paper. A heart inside spins around when the box is opened--or be unique and create a different spinning ornament (like a butterfly or swan). Wind the key and watch the ornament twirl to the sounds of Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers." The seven colors of paint, varnish, rhinestones, craft glue, and sandpaper will be sure to get the creative juices flowing.

There's plenty of room for creative juices--and more--with 3 Ceramic Frames ($17.99). Whether decorating the large (7 3/8 x 9 1/4"), medium (3 3/4" x 4 1/2"), or heart-shaped (2" x 2 3/4") frames, kids will enjoy creating just the right thematic art to surround their favorite photos.

Faber-Castell's Creativity for Kids products are sold wherever art supplies are found. For the nearest location, visit www.faber-castell.com.