Westfielder Looks to Get Kids Crafting
Westfield resident Dawn Dec is taking children back to basics with her online business, Craft-A-Gram. Instead of high-tech toys or mindless video games, Dec is selling crafting kits and party favors to encourage creativity among today's youth.
With the message "Send Some Fun" the 44-year-old Dec, who spent 15 years marketing children's candy, games and toys, has created themed crafting kits for children ages five through 12.
"It's a more wholesome gift or activity for kids," she said. "Kids love to receive mail, and it's about playing and learning—having kids do more with their imagination than master the latest Nintendo game."
All of Dec's 36 crafts feature non-licensed products, and the kits range from $24.99 to 29.99. Each kit comes pre-wrapped and features a personal message from the sender. Her party favor kits are $7 each, and come in sets of five, with a small craft and natural snack included.
For young girls there is a "Sweet Hearts" crafting kit, and for boys there is a "Nuts & Bolts" building kit. Dec also launched Craftivity, a quarterly magazine that she likens to the popular children's publication, Highlights.
"It's a tool to extend their crafting," she said of the magazine, which is included in each Craft-A-Gram mailing. "It provides a learning quality and something the kids will use again."
The website launched this past July, and Dec said the business has been well received thus far. She is currently targeting the Northeast with advertisements and direct mail campaigns, but has plans to extend her craft kits nationally in the future.
To ensure that her crafts resonate with their intended recipients, Dec consults her own craft team of young children, who test out each project before it launches. The idea for her business came from her own experiences crafting with her six-year-old son, and the creations she made with her grandparents as a child.
"It's a bit nostalgic," she said. "My memories are about my grandmother and grandfather teaching me to do things."
Kids love to create & they love to get mail. Craft-a-Grams™ deliver hours of fun right to a child’s front door.
WESTFIELD, NJ, July, 2010 − There's nothing like the look on a child's face when they've developed a new skill, accomplished a goal and feel proud of something they've created.” That’s what motivated Dawn Dec, Chief Craft Officer of Craftagram.com to start her business. On July 1st, Craftagram.com launched its unique craft packages designed to deliver hours of fun to girls and boys ages 5 - 12. Perfect for birthdays, holidays or any time you want to send a child something special, Craft-A-Grams™ are fun, educational, affordable gifts that don’t require batteries!
Each Craft-A-Gram™ come in a re-usable, eco-friendly Craft Sack and includes 3 quality craft kits that teach a variety of skills, from to sewing to science. Currently, there are eleven Craft-A-Gram™ Packages available at Craftagram.com including the Flower Power Package for girls, with a night light making kit, a flower curtain kit and a needlepoint kit; and the Dino Dude Package for boys, with a wooden pencil holder kit, a mould & paint kit and a sticky mosaic kit. Other Craft-A-Gram™ include Animal Lover, Sweet Hearts, Groovy Girl, Star Struck, and Winging It for girls; and On The Move, Assembly Required, Nuts & Bolts and Fast & Curious for boys. Ages and skill levels are noted for each package. Also included in every Craft-A-Gram™ is a copy of Craftivity™ Magazine, an exclusively created booklet full of craft activities, puzzles and projects.
Craftagram.com also offers Craft Party Favor Bags, sold in sets of five and packaged with confetti and ribbon so they’re ready to hand out at parties. Craft-A-Gram Packages start at $24.99 and include shipping. Each Craft Party Favor Bag contains a craft kit and fun stuff to go along with it. Craft Party Favor Bags are $7 each (including shipping) and come in sets of five (5).
“Craft-a-Gram was created with the goal of providing wholesome fun to boys and girls during those amazing years when they start to discover their talents, imagination and creativity”, says, Dawn Dec. “I've searched far and wide for unique craft items that are great quality, easy to do and interesting to kids”.
Blog Reviews
http://www.gograhamgo.com/2010/07/craft-gram-great-gift-idea-for-crafty.html
http://myfourmonkeysproductreviews.blogspot.com/2010/07/send-crafting-fun-with-craft-gram.html
http://frugalplus.com/loads-of-fun-with-craft-a-gram-giveaway/
http://www.jollymom.com/2010/09/perfect-childrens-gift-craft-grams.html
Customer Comments
“Crafts are such a great gift for kids. Craft-A-Grams are a unique way to give a bunch of crafts and fun activities to a child all wrapped up in a great package...such a great idea!
-Dee, Grandmother, Charlotte, North Carolina
“The birthday girl LOVED her Craft-A-Gram. Her mom thought it was great. Well put together with great packaging and a personalized message.”
-Brenda, Fashion Designer, Fairfield, Connecticut
"I love the Craft-A-Gram packaging - everything in a reusable backpack...all wrapped in a cellophane bag and ribbon!!! Such a perfect gift. I'll be ordering often whenever we need a gift.”
-Rita, Grandmother, Longbeach, California
“I got it yesterday and we loved it! Such a cute presentation and the actual gift items are a lot of fun. I also love the bag and how it is insulated.”
- Jen, Mom of tween girls, Lawrenceville, GA
“This a great idea! My girls and I are avid crafters, so this is right up our alley.”
- Amy, Richmond, VA
“I absolutely LOVE the site. I am excited to order some of the stuff for my girls. They will love it.”
- Rose, Pediatrician, Scotch Plains, NJ
Craft-A-Gram™ Monthly Subscriptions Information coming soon.
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