Getting Back To Basics: Montclair Kids Enjoy Hodgepodge Of Crafts This Summer

It may be 2010, a time of iPad, Xbox, and Avatar, but kids across Montclair are increasingly getting back to basics by enjoying a hodgepodge of camps and classes designed to teach them how to concoct their own creations by hand. Evidence of this is the popularity of Rock Paper Scissors, which sells supplies for sewing and crafts and just opened at 15 Bloomfield Avenue on June 12.

But craft stores that have been around awhile also are seeing a surge in interest.

At Montclair Beadworks, some 14 girls rolled out a display on Friday of the designs they had made during a week of Summer Fashion Jewelry Camp.

Owner Mary Ann Cucci said that this is the third summer in a row she's run the camp.

"And this year we've definitely had to turn people away," she said.

Every day this week, an eager group of young girls and tweens stopped by 43 Church Street to learn basic beading skills, bead weaving, and wire wrapping, ultimately churning out an array of colorful anklets, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.

Cucci added that jewelry making has grown so popular that she plans to offer after-school dropoff classes in the fall.

Other crafty stores in Montclair include:

Timeless Treasures (no Web site) is at 438 Bloomfield Avenue and has lots of art supplies and equipment.

Modern Yarn just moved on August 1 from its spot on Church Street into a bigger location at 182 Glenridge Avenue.

Connie Sloans Needle Craftique (no Web site) is at 594 Valley Road.

Doin' Dishes is a paint-your-own ceramics studio at 50 Church Street and is open Friday and Saturday nights until 11 p.m.

There's also a great blog called Montclair Made that's chock full of craft ideas.