Around Gloucester County Towns
As shopping lists get longer and longer, and gifts get more expensive, Robin Beam, director of education at A.C. Moore, said she noticed her store in Berlin is busy with crafters looking to personalize gifts this year.
ACMoore1.jpgView full sizePhotos Provided by A.C. MooreA.C. Moore Assistant General Manager Jamie Mazza shows young customers how to put together model cars. “We definitely have a lot more people coming in,” Beam said. “You can make something that is a lot more special … and is better than buying a gift card.”
From hand-made scarves and personalized photo frames to cookie- and candy-making supplies, a holiday gift is just an ounce of creativity away – and most craft stores have a staff members on hand for instruction or ideas.
“It’s amazing how many things there are, and how easy (manufacturers) have made them for people,” Beam said.
Candle-making, for instance, used to be a grueling task, but now with the use of a microwave, friends can light candles in their homes that were hand-made at your house.
Using decoupage or mod podge techniques to refinish tins, boxes or photo frames also makes a unique, personalized gift.
“You can cover anything. You can take old cans, you can take old boxes, and recycle, so to speak, and make wonderful things,” she said.
Have some old post cards from the Grand Canyon, a photo from the road trip, or a map of last summer’s camp site?
ACMoore2.jpgView full sizePhotos provided by A.C. MooreDecorative painting designer and educator Donna Dewberry demonstrates and educates customers about her product line.“Beam said these mementos could make a more memorable gift than a store-bought photo frame – and it’s a lot less expensive.
Some photo frames and mats at craft stores can cost as little as $1, and can easily be embellished with personal odds and ends around the house.
“Have the kids draw or color on the mats, and then send that to grandma and grandpa,” she said. “That’s something they will save and show off proudly.”
Beam also suggested reinventing older mediums like knitting, crocheting or macramé.
“A lot of people have said in the past that knit and crochet is for old people, but that’s not the case any more,” she said. “Anything can be made trendy … fingerless gloves are great for texting.”
Macramé, she said, has become popular in jewelry-making, instead of as plant hangers that were popular in the 1960s and 1970s. And new templates for plastic canvas, felt, cross stitch and embroidery have updated those pastimes, as well.
“There might be new threads or new yarn that can be used to give it an updated feel,” she said.
Most craft supply stores like A.C. Moore also offer instructional classes at the store or books with step-by-step directions to make just about anything.
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