snap fashion jewelry studio review and giveaway

 every year, zoe asks for some kind of craft kit for her birthday.  this year, she will be receiving the snap fashion jewelry studio, and i can already hear her oohs and aahs of delight.

smartlab toys has come up with a fun kit that allows kids to accessorize in a variety of ways.  kids can make rings, bracelets, necklaces, pins, barrettes, and key chains; they can adorn belts, gifts, cards, and purses.  Truly, your child's imagination is the only limit to what can be done with the various snaps they create.

each kit ($24.99 at smartlab toys, amazon and other retailers) comes with a snap maker, 16 fabric circles, 12 jewels, ribbon, 5 bases, 2 rings, 25 snap domes and backs, a transfer sheet, connector, tracing ring and a 5ml bottle of glue. in addition, the kit comes with a book filled with ideas for making a variety of accessories, mementos and keepsakes.

a lot of the projects suggest ways to use fabrics, flowers and beads that you might find around the house, or may require an extra trip to the craft store.  i know that zoe will want to use fabric we have around the house in addition to what is included in the kit.  we may also have to scrounge up some silk flowers so she can make the rings that are shown on the box cover.

i know that zoe is going to love getting this for her birthday and she will have a lot of fun putting all the various buttons together.  i just have one concern.  at this point, there are no refill kits available for purchase.  once she has run out of snap domes and backs, she will pretty much be done with the kit.  the company will take requests and send you refills if you ask for them specifically, but they don't have plans to release a refill kit for purchase until this fall.  i also think that some of the project suggestions are rather ugly.  i am going to do my best, however, to be a supportive and encouraging mom, and let zoe make whatever she thinks is beautiful.

smartlab toys is offering a 25% off discount for all you loyal and wonderful readers.  simply add the code BLOGBUZZ when you check out (good through 6/30/11). they also have a page of free activity ideas on their website that may be helpful as you battle boredom this summer.  if you follow smartlab toys on twitter or like their page on facebook, you will also have access to more ideas and free stuff.

i also have the opportunity to give away a toy from smartlab toys to one of you.  just leave a comment below telling me which toy from smartlab toys you would pick and who you would love to give it to.  i will choose a winner using random.org on may 25, 2011 in honor of zoe's birthday.  you can have a second entry if you subscribe to this blog.

this is a mamabuzz review.  i received the snap fashion jewelry studio from smartlab toys for the purpose of this review.  regardless, the thoughts and opinions expressed here are purely my own.