Camp care packages by Kevin Aeh
Make their sleepaway experience even more memorable with these goodies
(excerpt)
Smell ya letter
They’ll want to write a few letters home using these Colored Smencils, a.k.a. scented pencils (flavors include grape, very berry, root beer and bubble gum), made from recycled newspaper. $16 at catchingfireflies.com.
Thanks Kevin for including one of our goodies in your camp care package!
Playing with your food is mandatory with the Food Face plates from Catching Fireflies! Kids
can create their own faces with peas, potatoes, anything. Add a little
fun to dinner, and maybe even get them to eat their veggies without a
lot of griping! $11.50
Thanks gals for featuring our funny food plate!
Instead of filling up all your kiddo's eggs with jelly beans and peeps, make a few finds extra special with terrific treasures like these...
terrifying finger monsters $.95 each
magnetic letters $1.25 each
nose pencil sharpener $1.75 (perfect for the kids who love $1.75)
These adorable mouse magnets are handmade by a young talented gal. $4.95 *only available Rochester location.
one-of-a-kind handmade glass creatures $4 each
handmade angel necklaces $10.95 each *only available at Rochester
make-your-own charm bracelet $10 for bracelet $5 for each charm
mood rings $4 each
handmade finger puppets $3.50 each
wish bracelets $3 each
handmade hair clips $3.50
zipper pulls $4.50
teeny tiny crystal earrings $9.95-$13.95
personalized bracelet bands $2 each band, $.50 each letter
All of these treasures are available at our Berkley & Rochester locations.
Do you like seeking out special goodies that bring bright smiles? We're happy to share some of our clever ideas. Simply sign up to receive these blog posts in your email and you'll be the best gift giver around!
Meet Amy Chermside of Anna Banana of Rochester, Michigan. She creates colorful ceramic frames and sweet children's keepsake wall hangings.
And for the first time ever, we're hosting an imprint session with Amy at our Berkley location on Sunday, April 5 from 1-4... just in time for a Mother's Day delivery!
So if you'd like to preserve your little one's hand or foot prints by creating one of these cute keepsakes, simply email us at service@catchingfireflies.com or call the store at 248 336 2030 to set up an appointment time.
A little more about Amy's artwork...
How you get started with your business?
I was always looking for ways to be able to express my creative side, and this opportunity fell into my lap. A friend was selling her equipment, and on a whim, I decided to buy it and create Anna Banana.
What's your favorite thing about creating your artwork?
I am very big into coming up with designs that "pop." I love coming up with new color and ribbon combinations. Every once in awhile a new design idea, for example, monogramed picture frames and custom lettering, will come into my head and I run with it! It is always changing.
Physics teaches that rainbows are created when the sunlight reflects off of raindrops, breaking up the light into different wavelengths of color. This atmospheric phenomenon is most likely to occur immediately after a rain shower, when the sun is shining again, but condensation still lingers in the air.
The rare and lovely appearance of rainbows makes them incredibly magical for children and adults alike. Perhaps this magic first inspired the notion of a pot of at the end of the rainbow.
Dating back to old Europe, the legend of the pot of gold is claimed enthusiastically . They'll tell you that fairies put the gold there and then the leprechauns guard it.
Well, even if you aren't lucky enough to spot a rainbow this spring, you can still take a tour of some fantastic photos of these magical color beams at Rainbow Sitings.com.
Or if you prefer to create your own luck, check out what what our snazzy solar powered Rainbow Maker can create in your home...ld
Either way, we wish you a wonderful rainbow connection this St. Patty's Day. Take it Kermit...
Want to know how to add a little color to a grey day? Just scratch away and find a bright rainbow display!
I remember making this fun art project in middle school - we colored a large sheet of paper with crayons to create the rainbow base, painted black tempera paint over it and after it dried, we drew our our pictures by etching away the paint.
Now with these snazzy kits, all you have to do is etch away and create your little masterpiece.
There are loads of fun options to choose from ranging from $2.25 - $11.99. Now the question is... what in the world to start scratching away first?
Do you like seeking out creative goodies for your kiddies? We're happy to assist you in your search with loads of clever ideas. Simply sign up to receive these blog posts in your email and you'll be the best gift giver around!
Stumped on what to get your sweetie? Looking to bring a little cheer to your friend's day? Want to surprise your kiddy with something sweet? Our gals and guy at catching fireflies have found their favorites for the fourteenth of February.
As an avid baker I love this embosser. Who said you need to limit it to toast. I know I could probably use it on some sugar cookies with red sprinkles or my favorite short-bread cookie. And, if you're like me, you like a good size cookie(the size of toast). $3.95
This is a perfect, little gift for that friend who might be a little lonely this Valentine's Day. Just a silly and fun reminder that "someday her prince will come!" In the meantime, this cute little guy will do! $4.50
Being that I just got engaged, I love how this 2 carat cupis packaged like a real ring. And in my opinion, a girl can never have enough bling even if it holds my morning cup of coffee. $15.95
I love these. My son's teacher loves post-it notes so we got these for her for Valentine's day. $13.95
This clock was designed and built by a local artist and friend. What a great functional gift to remind your loved one year around what they mean to you. Cupid himself probably has a clock like this on his mantel. A gift for Valentine's Day or just to show that you care. $48.00
I love glass and twisted wire. These heart salad servers are a show piece. I like to dress up my salad bowl. $24.95
This is by far one of my favorites. I think this quote says it all to your loved one. These frames are so cool and so is Winnie the Pooh! $265.00
Talk about bang for your buck... not only do I get to enjoy a tasty treat, but also whistle a happy tune with this multi-purposed candy. Our Basset Hound, Gus loves to howl away when he hears this candy whistle blow. $2.25 for 3
There's no better way to say I love you than with super big yummy chocolate chip cookies. The more batches the better! $7.95
I remember when these first came out in the 70's and begging my mom to get me one. Thought they were the coolest thing then and you know what....they're still cool even today! Perfect gift for that young girl who "has it all". $4.00
I adore pancakes and love to whip up a batch on Sunday mornings. I can't wait to charm my brunch guests with a stack of heart-shaped hotcakes covered in strawberry syrup! ;) $4.95
I always like to treat my girlfriends to something sweet for Valentine's Day. Last year I sent these in a bubble envelope with a Valentine greeting and they were a big hit. I also carry one in my purse and use it quite often to jot down things I don't want to forget. $7.95
Do you like seeking out sweet gifts that bring bright smiles? We're happy to share some of our clever ideas. Simply sign up to receive these blog posts in your email and you'll be the best gift giver around!
Have you noticed? The letters of the alphabet seem to be frequenting more than just the printed page. Now -- either individually or in groups -- letters are being used to make strong design statements throughout the home.
These 8-by-10 inch eeBoo All Around the Land Alphabet cards would look delightful framed and hanging on your nursery or playroom wall. Buy the set of 26 cards for $25.95 at Catching Fireflies in Berkley and Rochester.
Meet Jamie Greathouse of Shelby Township, Michigan. She creates clever eye spy bags that'll keep your kids entertained during long waits (like at the doctors, store or while traveling). We're proud to carry her original rectangle style that contain 27 unique charms & findings that beg to be found.
She also has lots of other whimsical styles available on her etsy site.
I had the chance to chat with her about her delightful creations...
What inspired you to start creating art and how did you turn it into a business?
I've been creating art for as long as I can remember! My mother made her living in the art world, and I was raised surrounded by fine craft and the creative process. I was happy to give up my day job when I became a mother, and it was only natural for me to branch out into a creative business of my own. I have satisfied both my need to be with my children and my need for a creative outlet. It was easy to turn my passion into a successful business once I found Etsy!
What do you most enjoy about the creative process?
Most definitely I enjoy the design phase. I love to sit with my sketch pad and my kids and come up with new ideas for I SpyBags. Drawing out the patterns to scale, testing them, and working out the kinks is so much fun. Most prototypes end up in the toy box, but every once in awhile I come up with a design that I simply adore. Once that part of the process is done, I find the sewing and assembly to be a little boring! Another thing I love to do is search for the trinkets that go inside. I have become quite addicted to seeking out the very finest, coolest, most interesting (and affordable) miniatures out there. I have hundreds to choose from, and even though there is NO reason for me to keep buying more, I just can't help myself! Recently, I stumbled upon a local retiree from the vending business who let me have a gander at some inventory from the 1970s. It was great. What can I say?
What is one thing that make your items unique?
My designs are what make my items unique. All of my figurative I Spy Bags have a unique personality and originality that you don't see with other products of this nature.
And we're not the only ones that think she's great... some of her bags have been featured in Real Simple, People.com and more!
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The month of December is always an exciting time for the kiddies as the countdown to Christmas begins! One fun way mark the days is with this really cute reusable advent calendar for $12.50.
Or if you're feeling more crafty this goody bag garland I found at Kids Craft Weekly is a festive way to lead up to the big day!
You can jazz up some lunch bags with a simple potato stamp and red paint, then fill them with little tiny treats that the kids can open every day leading up to the 25th.
Sound like fun? Click HERE to see some sweet goodies that'll bring wide smiles.
We love discovering simple ideas & starting new traditions... what - you too? Then don't delay and sign up to receive these hip blog posts in your email inbox today!
