Summer Contest
{ July 11th, 2012 }
We are busy working on new products for next year and we want to know what you would like to see in next year’s catalog. What’s in it for you, you ask – a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from Guildcraft Arts & Crafts. We will randomly select a winner from the comments on this blog post on Friday, August 3 2012.
Contest Question:
What would you like to see in next year’s Guildcraft catalog?
July 11th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Hi! Our VBS next summer will be space related so I’d love to see some space themed craft projects (space ship, astronaut, etc.). Thanks!
July 11th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Hi – I teach 2/3 year toddler class for Sunday School and I would love some more crafts for them. I know they are a hard group but I enjoy making things with them and since I can sometimes have 12 at a time kits in that number range would be perfect. Thank you.
July 11th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Hi – I would love to see more crafts for older boys
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July 11th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Hi – I teach Kindergarten and I love owls. I would love to see more craft ideas/projects that are owl themed since I do my room in them each year. This year is “Kindergarten Owl-Stars!”
July 11th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Hi, I work at a children’s museum and we create art experiences for kids 2-12. We need materials for large amounts of kids and project ideas we can use for such large groups.
thanks
July 11th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Hi! Every year I look forward to your craft ideas for our VBS theme. Please continue to include your craft ideas for the many VBS themes by the many VBS publishers. This year I ordered two specifically to supplement Group’s Holy Land Daniel Adventures and one to replace their suggested craft. Next year we visit Paul in Greece so can hardly wait to see your craft suggestions.
July 11th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
I run seven different day camps over the summer months and would love to see more crafts suitable for toddlers or preschoolers. They enjoy bringing projects home to mom and dad and to put it up on the fridge. It also is a great way for little hands to stay busy! Continue the great prices, lowest prices around for the quality!
July 11th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Our VBS next year will be Kingdom Rocks which is like a medieval, castle, fairytale theme. I will be looking for alternatives for crafts and decorations because I am sure that Group’s prices will not be cheap for our low-budget church.
July 11th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
We would love to see a VBS theme ‘sampler’ kit for each of the various VBS programs offered i.e. Babylon, Sky, etc. It would make it much easier to purchase a sample bag two or three months out containing one of each of all the kits you offer that might be related to that VBS program and allow us to put assemble the craft and judge for ourselves which of our age levels each of the crafts would be suitable for and whether it would fit our needs.
July 11th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Since our VBS theme for 2013 is the amusement park/roller coaster theme, we will need decorating and craft supplies to match. I would love to see something related to cotton candy.
July 11th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
As Sunday School teacher, art teacher and VBS director, I look forward to more faith based projects, and always supplement the suggested crafts with higher quality ones from Guildcraft. VBS 2013 will be a western theme and I know you won’t let me down!
July 11th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
I work in an OT Clinic for acutely mentally ill adults, and I would love to see more resistive type crafts. Leather working is a favorite of my clients, so any leather stamps, additional short term leather crafts — e.g. stampable leather barettes, etc — would be greatly appreciated.
July 11th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Can’t wait to see what good deals I will be able to get for my kids! My mind is gearing up for the new year and I’m excited to look at what will make our children’s ministries extra special!
July 11th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
I would love to see more crafts for younger children. Also, I would love to see more theme related craft packages, such as packages with 3 to 4 crafts in units of 10 or 12.
July 11th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
I would LOVE to see things that go with the summer reading theme: Underground. Animals that live underground, things that happen underground, etc AND things around Science.
July 11th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Next year’s collaborative summer library program for NJ is “Dig Into Reading” so any crafts having to do with animals that burrow or live underground or crafts that could be tied to archaeology would be most helpful. You do a wonderful job of providing high quality products. Keep up the great work – you help me immensely.
July 11th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Hi! I would love to see some more camp “tween” ideas. Our church goes to camp every summer and we are running out of craft ideas! Thanks.
July 11th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
I enjoy your crafts and decorating things for our VBS. I felt last year’s supplies didn’t match up to year’s past. But love to order your materials as they meet our needs.
July 11th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
I enjoy the Freebies on Fridays! Thanks so much! I like how many more items are now available through your catalog not only for VBS’s but for use throughout the whole year. Keep it up!
July 11th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
As the Religious Ed and VBS director for a Catholic church I really enjoy your religious themed craft kits. I would love to see more projects pertaining to the Catholic faith and especially Advent and Lent that I could use in my program. I really like the idea above of a sample set of crafts for the different VBS themes that we could purchase ahead of time to check out. This year I was surprised to find the program I used for VBS did not have traditional crafts written in the program at all. KIDS LOVE CRAFT TIME! so I purchased them all from you.
July 11th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
You do such a great job with your religious crafts and VBS offerings to fit the years themes. I know its difficult to cover all the VBS themes for each year and some how we never seem to pick a program that you offer optional crafts. it would be great if you could broaden your scope to include as many VBS programs and bible stories that you can.
July 11th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
decorate your own flash drives or make lanyards for flashdrives
July 11th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
I would like to see more cultural kits and activities. This summer we incorporated God’s World and we studied a different country for each week. We used what you currently had to accent these weeks with craft projects and the kids thoroughly enjoyed doing these crafts and wanted to do more but we only had certain countries to go by. I would love to see more countries represented through crafts and projects that would enhance the learning experience for children to become aware of other cultures. Or maybe Christmas around the world could be taught through different craft projects so children could learn how each culture celebrates in a different way and name.
July 11th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Our VBS next year has an international theme. I’d like some creative crafts that would remind children of the featured countries (UK, Austrailia, Japan, Zimbabwe, and Mexico). Perhaps, morracas, African drums, didgeridoos, shoji screens, crowns or castles. I also think that you have great options for older children. Please think about 4th and 5th grade options; they are harder to please than younger children. Origami would be a good solution for them!
July 11th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
I agree with the thought of having a sample craft kit for each VBS theme. Ours next year will be amusement park and I look forward each year to your crafts/decorations for each theme. Sometimes items for another VBS also work with ours, so I scan items for each VBS. I would love to see more ideas for decorating for the different VBS themes. Thanks for the Freebie Fridays!
July 11th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
I would be delighted to see any materials related to next summer’s reading theme, DIG INTO READING. The DREAM cards in this year’s catalog were great for this summer’s DREAM BIG theme. Many of the children designed and colored in their dream for display in the library. The stars from the card were used to decorate spiral galaxies that children made in anticipation of a telescope program for families where local astromers will introduce the stars and planets that we see in the night sky.
The library includes a craft in a child’s summer reading registration packet. Self-directed walk-in crafts are also available throughout the year. These crafts can only use markers/crayons/pencils/oil pastels, paste and scissors (not wet glue or paint), and papers, wires and stamps of every kind. Self-sticking anything makes these crafts especially inviting as families have limited time during visits.
“Digging” crafts/supplies, whether to make worms and insects, plant a garden or find a fortune, would be great. Seasonal make-and-take crafts/supplies would be winners too.
Of course, the craft has to be affordable, given the volume of children who visit a library. Craft packs that are like HAMBURGER HELPER. where the user adds the main material, and the ingredients that make the craft unique are supplied in the craft.
Having said all that, the most important is that the craft give the child a way to truly to create a unique piece of art – not one that looks like everyone else’s creation. The theme and resources can be the same, but the results are different.
And thank you for asking, and for your inspiring materials!
July 11th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Our next year’s summer reading theme is Dig into Reading. I would love to see kits with digging dinosaurs out of the clay. I think dinosaur themed crafts are going to be big as well digging for treasure themed kits. It is going to be fun fun fun, we have enjoyed our night themed crafts so much this year. Thank you.
July 11th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
I would like to see more crafts for teens, especially for boys.
July 11th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
I would like to see more teen stuff, especially for boys.
July 11th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Keep watching for the VBS themes each year. We love having different choices of crafts and projects to choose from.
July 11th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Hello,
We love using your VBS items for our program!
It would be nice to have some more crafts projects for younger kids Ages 3-4. It would also be great if you could have more little items that match the VBS theme.( tattoos or stickers,candy, ect…) We always like handing out small items for the children to take home at the end of VBS!
July 11th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
I too am grateful for the Friday Freebies!!! Thank you!
I have three different needs… Our VBS theme next year is circus combined with an international flair. I know there are plenty of Mexico, Australia, and Africa crafts and decorations, but I am at a loss for the UK and Japan. I would also like more scripture/science kits for the Sunday School classrooms. Science is so interactive and it meets the needs of boys. I also would like to see crafts and/or manipulatives that can be creative activities to expand the “Godly Play” stories.
July 11th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
I our theme next year is Kingdom Rock doing with castles and lions. so please help us for next year
July 11th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
I would like to items that support writing. Maybe a kid-friendly postcard? Banners? Also, I love those strings with hanging triangles that can be decorated and kept, made of fabric.
July 11th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Our kids really enjoyed the Aviation VBS crafts and ideas this summer. (The teachers had fun with them, too) Please continue to include the crafts and projects for VBS. Next summer we will be using the roller coaster/state fair theme. Thanks again!
July 11th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Our VBS next year will be based on the mideval kingdoms so I would like to see more activities to go along with that theme.
July 11th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
I run my own in home child care and would love to see some crafts for kids under the age of 3 and also I teach sunday school for teenagers and would love to see something for them as well.
July 11th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
I would like to see more colors for plastic lace. maybe a glow in the dark one.
July 11th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
I would love to see some easy Bible word puzzles, mazes or other type things to fill in space between activities. My Sunday school students seem to love these and they are hard to find. Thank you!
July 11th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
I would love to see all kinds of crafts and decorations that pertain to amusement parks!
July 11th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
I would like to see more Indian-oriented crafts like dream catchers, how to sew leather pouches, small tepees for displays and other native crafts. I would appreciate a large amount in each kit because I teach at a summer camp from kinder to eight grade. Right now I am teaching an art program to 3rd to sixth every Monday. We are on an Indian reservation called Taos Pueblo,NM. We have been getting a lot of native children in our summer camp this year, some days, we have over 90 to 100 kids every day. I usually provide my materials with my own income, the school doesn’t really provide much art materials. But I do want the children to do art as much as possible, I love teaching art to all my native and non-native children.
July 11th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
We’ll be using Group’s Kingdom Rock curriculum next year. Any arts & crafts materials would be greatly appreciated, as well as your Freebie Friday choices (love those). I’m already thinking that decorating will be a challenge, so any help along those lines will be most welcome!
July 11th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
Your beads and cords are wonderful for making rosaries with the children. I am having difficulty, though, finding small, inexpensive crosses or crucifixes to complete the rosaries. Can you provide some?
July 11th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
I would like to see some musical instruments – kazoos, paper flutes, tambourines, cardboard drums, simple stringed instruments! It would be GREAT! Thanks!
July 11th, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Would love to see crafts having to do with the Library Collaborative Reading Programs for both youth, “Dig into Reading” and Teens, “Beneath the Surface.” I start my programs each year with a sticker scene sheet that is atl least 8″ x 10″ and I’m thinking something like dinosaur digs, construction or large equipment digging, or animals that dig. Other types of crafts such as paper mache, a necklace that both genders would like, a color your own animal that digs or is under the surface and isn’t 3 inches big, volcano kits, lava lamp kits, or just under $1.50 crafts that go along with the theme…even loosely along with the theme!!! Baby safe prizes under $3.00 would be wonderful…can’t find anywhere. Do you know how difficult it is to find prizes for under 3 years.
Thanks so much for asking for input.
July 11th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Would love to see anything on dinosaurs, archaeology to go with the CLSP themes. And dinosaurs are always popular with our kiddos anyway! Baby safe prizes as Carol mentioned is a great idea, trying to find things thast won’t be a hazard is tough!!!!
July 11th, 2012 at 8:11 pm
I would like to see more Christian related crafts for all ages.
Pre-K through 5th Grade.
Our theme for VBS will be taking us back in to the Bible….would like more crafts, decorations, etc. for that theme.
July 11th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
We often put our own VBS together. I would really like to see more Bible themed crafts – both Old and New Testament and crafts related to popular saints in your catalog.
Thank you for your Friday Freebies – they are wonderful!
July 11th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
I would like to see more crafts made out of wood.
July 11th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
I was wondering if you could do some ideas of different kinds of mobiles and they could center around such virtues as: Faith, Hope, Love, peacemaking, forgiveness, Patience. Kids love to hang them at home and they would be good reminders of these ways of living.
July 11th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
I teach Sunday School 5th/6th graders and beginning in the new year will be teaching Mission Friends. Always love your crafts and especially Freebie Fridays!!! Keep up the good work
July 11th, 2012 at 10:45 pm
I do crafts all thru the year with our kids at church. I also do crafts for our VBS every year. I would like to see more decorations for all themes, ad crafts for all themes.
July 11th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
I would like to see more crafts that involve the preservation of memories. Things to think about including, may be more journaling crafts.
July 11th, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Next year’s SRC theme will be “Dig Into Books.” Crafts that are related to this theme would be appreciated. Thanks.
July 11th, 2012 at 11:17 pm
I love your Newsletters. But in your next year’s catalog, I really would like to see some “special” activities for mentally disabled children. I have a 13 yr old in my Sunday School class who can neither read nor write, but loves sorting, stamping, glueing, and has a wonderful memory.
Thanks for everything you do.
July 11th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
I would like to see crafts geared toward the Go Fish Guys VBS. thanks for all you do.
July 12th, 2012 at 12:30 am
I would like to see more Christian related crafts and also crafts for boys as well. Thank you!
July 12th, 2012 at 1:15 am
I would love to see more Vacation Bible School crafts. I like quality stuff they can keep for years. I’d rather pay more money for quality products that go with the themes.
July 12th, 2012 at 7:46 am
I teach summer camps and would love items in the following areas: pirate, bugs, fairy tales, and transportation.
July 12th, 2012 at 9:00 am
As VBS & Kid’s Club coordinator I use crafts that emphasize & reinforce the Bible lesson. I would love to see more crafts that pertain to the many “stories” in the Bible. We minister to children 3 years through 6th grade.
We have used many of your items and love them! Thank you for asking for our input!
July 12th, 2012 at 9:12 am
I would like to see some treasure map items… maybe something could be put together to be a treasure map to lead kids to christ.
July 12th, 2012 at 9:39 am
I teach small children (4 and 5 year olds) in a catechism class. I would like to see some Catholic crafts that would help with that, and also a Catholic version of some of the Bible crafts where there are differences (Ten Commandments, Lord’s Prayer).
July 12th, 2012 at 9:57 am
We need crafts to go with the “Dig into Books” theme for summer Reading, but also everyday crafts to do weekly at story time in the library. Crafts that go along with children’s books. Thanks for the Freebie Friday crafts they are great!
July 12th, 2012 at 10:52 am
I was just introduced to your company this spring. For years I have been purchasing craft items from OT. I loved the selection of crafts that were more Bible time or Bible story oriented. I teach Sunday School and VBS here in the states, but I also carried some of your products to Latvia where I taught VBS. I took your “PRAISE” bracelet idea and ordered the individual beads so the children could spell “praise” in Latvian. Next summer we plan to use a Lifeguard theme with the stories of Noah, Jonah, Joseph, Baby Moses. I need craft projects not covered in English words. Thanks for your committment to offering faith oriented craft ideas.
July 12th, 2012 at 11:35 am
I particularly enjoy your packaged craft kits. I don’t drive and it is handy to be able to get all the necessary pieces in one package! I am grateful for the great ideas to co-ordinate with the library’s summer reading program. I do crafts year round, at the library, with all age groups. So definately keep
the packaged crafts coming! Keep up the good work! Thanks, Marcia
July 12th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Would love to see more things for teenagers and scouting programs! Thanks!
July 12th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
I teach 3 & 4 year old Sunday School. I would love to see more faith-based crafts for the preschool age group. Love your Freebie Friday crafts! Thanks!
July 12th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
I am director of our church VBS and we like to use your products. This year our theme is SonWorld Adventure Park through Group Publishing. It is an amusement park theme so product that follow this theme would really be great. I find that your catalog often has the best buys!!! Can’t wait to see the new catalog!!
July 12th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
I would like to see a wide variety of yarns and fibers for weaving, crafting, and other projects for all ages— from very soft and thick yarns for preschool to natural fibers and thin color string for older crafters.
July 12th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
First of all all the items you have are wonderful. I really couldnt pick between any of them because they all have been very helpful. I do art for a small Christian school and VBS and you always have what I am looking for at a great price and the items come in 12 to 24 in a bunch. But if i was looking for something new I would say more crocheting projects.
Nancy Blanchard of Gloversville
July 12th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Crafts for 2-4 year olds, with stick-on or stickers pieces would be awesome! I have a weekly Toddler Time and these little ones love to create, they also love stickers. Also anything with dirt/ground/Earth would be wonderful. There seems to be a lot of projects for sand/beach but something more backyard or garden would be fun! Also worms, come Spring time and rainy weather sparks interest in worms. Then again as fishing season rolls around. Thanks Guildcraft!
July 12th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
I would love to see a sampler kit for various VBS themes but also for Advent themes such as Group’s One Starry Night and An Evening in Bethehem that would include one of each related craft. Also some decorating murals and scene setters for Advent Events and Women’s Retreat themes such as Cozy Mountain Lodge and Seaside Escape.
July 12th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Animal themed crafts, crafts for younger age groups, and parent/child together type crafts would be great!
July 12th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
I would like to see some things are are suited for youth. I am the VBS director and have trouble with the older ones wanted to be involved in the craft. Just a thought! Thanks for asking!
July 12th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
I teach 3rd grade CCD/Sunday School. Would love to see more/new Christian theme classroom aides (name badges, posters, fun stuff for students, and of course your wonderful crafts). Love your weekly email freebies!!! Thanks!!!
July 13th, 2012 at 7:06 am
I would like to see more bible crafts
July 13th, 2012 at 10:17 am
Our VBS theme for next year is The Armor of God. I would love to see anything related to that theme!
July 13th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
I’d love to see new craft ideas!!
July 14th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
I run a summer day camp for at risk youth in my neighborhood from my own money and money I make selling things. I would like to see more things for teen girls and boys things that boys would like to do and enjoy it and affordable
July 15th, 2012 at 6:15 pm
I would love to see more crafts geared to 2 and 3 year olds. Especially sticker sheets with backgrounds, where you peel stickers off and place them on an already decorated background picture. Our church kids love these, but I’ve only ever been able to find Nativity scene ones. Thanks
July 15th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
We have been doing a “travel back in time” themed series of Vacation Bible Schools, so I would love to see some more “ancient” crafts for the kids to do in the marketplace!
July 16th, 2012 at 8:34 am
I really appreciate the VBS crafts based on the VBS themes for the year. Group’s “Athens – Paul’s Dangerous Journey to Share the Truth” is what we’re doing next summer. I’m looking for activities for preschool/kindergarten based on this theme, since we open VBS up to little brothers & sisters.
July 16th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
I would like to see some inexpensive costumes that would work with different VBS themes and sunday school programs
July 17th, 2012 at 8:36 am
This was our first year purchasing crafts from Guildcraft for our Sky VBS. The older children loved making the airplanes ( Spirit of St. Louis) and the younger kids enjoyed the airplane frames. With next year’s theme Kingdom Rocks being a medieval based curriculm, I would love to see craft items for all ages. We split our children into to age groups- junior kindergarten to GR2 and Gr 3-5. Our older children like being able to make a craft that takes a few days while the younger ones prefer to take home a craft everyday. I am so glad I found your company and I will definately be purchasing from you again!! Thanks
July 17th, 2012 at 9:55 am
Our VBS next year is the Colossal Coaster World.
Anything to do with amusement parks. Ice Cream, Cotton Candy etc. Also animals from zoo. Trains to ride etc.
July 17th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Our next year’s VBS theme will be Colossal Coaster World, and I’d love to see some circus, amusement park, or Coney Island-type decorations, crafts and prizes.
Thank you so much for the Freebie Friday goodies. I used all of the VBS ones, and can’t wait each week to see what else you have to offer.
July 18th, 2012 at 10:27 am
I’d like to see some more things that are music related. I do storytimes that involve music and kids love it.
July 19th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
I’d love to see some dinosaur-themed crafts. Thanks for so many great products and freebies! I appreciate your catalog & services.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:49 am
We’ll be using “Colossal Coaster World” next year. We need stand-alone decor that’s easy to put up and affordable. A roller-coaster, a roller-coaster car, a ticket booth, items like that would be wonderful.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:42 am
I would love to see more crafts/activities geared toward teens as well. I am the VBS director at my church and host a ‘teen time’ segment before we hold VBS for the younger kids. Our teens are youth assistants and I like them to get something out of the program with an activity to do. It’s hard to find different things for them to do. Thanks for asking!
July 27th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
A friend told me about your website and I have already used some of your crafts for my daughters birthday party. I would love to see more of the color changing bead projects. We made the crosses and the girls all loved making them.
Thank you!
August 3rd, 2012 at 9:17 am
Congratulations Debbie H. (Comment Number 63) you are the winner of our Summer Contest! We will contact you via email with your prize. We would like to thank everyone who participated in our 2012 Summer Contest. All of your comments are extremely valuable to us and will help us better serve you in the 2013 season.