Summer Education!

Just because it's summer doesn't mean we've forgotten about the hard-working teachers that may be busy plotting and planning the next school year. (Sorry kids, but yes, you do have to go back to school in the fall and teachers spend the summer finding new ways to teach you the important information you'll need for the rest of your lives.)

We recently got some new educational tools in and they're now available at our store. Bulletin board decorations, stickers, flash cards, and much more can be found! (One of my favorite designs are the monkeys that we now carry!) All kinds of things to decorate your classroom with!

While we're on the subject of teaching and education, if you haven't seen our monthly calendar recently, you're missing out on some great classes and demos that get offered every month. We have card classes, jewlery-making classes, and demos of all kinds. Just to give you an idea of what we offer, here's a list of some of the demos that are offered weekly:

Keiki Crafts - Bring the kids to do a simple, but fun, craft every Saturday from 10 to 12 in the morning.

Sizzix Make & Take - For $5, come and learn a project made with a featured Sizzix die and purchase the die at a discounted price afterwards. Saturdays from 1 - 3p.m.

Here at Hilo Ben Franklin we have some awesome classes and amazing teachers that lead them.

Linda teaches classes that feature one of our newest products that we carry, the Cricut machine. She's always willing to explain the many things this little machine can do. Some of her classes have included learning how to cut material (fabric) and make photo albums and boxes.

Julie is our jewelry teacher. She mainly holds classes where students will work on a bracelet made of Swarovski crystals, pearls, or both. Julie even offers Student's Choice classes once in while where the students get to choose which of her designs they would like to learn. Perfect for students who may have missed a class and don't want to miss out on the fun.

Jayla offers a class once a month called Cutsie Cards and Crafts by Jayla. Students work on cards or various other crafts using stamps. It's a fun class that's great for almost all ages. Perfect for Mommy/Daughter time or even a Girls' Night Out.

One of our own Hilo Ben Franklin family members, Donna, teaches her own class once a month called Donna's Kraft Kine Cards. Held one Friday night a month, this popular class fills up quickly. There's a voluntary card exchange that takes place during the class and light refreshments are offered (and often brought to be shared by students.)

For many of our classes, seating is limited and sign-up is required 2 weeks in advance. Be sure to pick up a craft calendar at any register during your next trip to the store to see what's coming up.

**Coming Soon**

~ Paper Party and Family Fun Day - This day is truly a FAMILY fun day. There will be projects for the whole family to enjoy. More details are being finalized, but make sure to save some time to come by on July 23!!

~ Hilo Ben Rockets & Models Club - Coming in August! The club will be meeting once a month and will give rocket and model enthusiasts an opportunity to talk about and work on their models and rockets. Stop by any register to leave your name and e-mail address if you're interested in being added to our list to get information as soon as we have it.

Hope you're all having a great summer!

~Jen at Hilo Ben Franklin