special report

PACK-O-FUN

July 2009 Issue

Guidelines

PACK-O-FUN is published six times a year. The magazine publishes simple but attractive crafts with special emphasis on inexpensive materials, recycled materials, and group projects. Upon reading through a couple issues, most of the crafts using more expensive materials seem to come from the actual companies who produce some of the materials used – so you should sell easier with inexpensive items.

PACK-O-FUN only publishes crafts. So no articles and no fiction. To best understand the sorts of projects they publish, checking out a sample issue or exploring the website extensively will help. You must send a clear photo of the finished project (not a sketch and not the project itself.)

The website guidelines mention a special interest in simple projects that highlight a specific fine arts technique, teach a curriculum-based concept, explore a specific culture, relate to a holiday, or make a good gift for a specific family member.

Format for each craft is a bulleted list of supplies under the header “what you need” plus the supplies common to many crafts (scissors, ruler, paintbrush, etc) under “the basic stuff.” Directions for making the craft are listed under the header “how to make it” and the directions are numbered. Variation suggestions – one sentence – can be added with the header “more fun stuff.”

PACK-O-FUN buys ALL RIGHTS. Pays from $25 to $150.

PACK-O-FUN
Amos Craft Publishing
Editor: Annie Niemiec
2400 Devon, Suite 292
Des Plaines, IL 60018

ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC ISSUE

Analysis of Specific Issue

July 2009

Inside cover – Uncle Same Treat Holders – this craft is actually part of an ad. So not all crafts are from contributors. This craft uses Styrofoam cups, felt, and chenille stems.

Head of the Pack – letter from the editor – the editor shares her summer crafting plans.

News from You – lots of groups showing crafts they completed from older issues.

The Bookcase – short “blurb” type book reviews for four different craft books. Plus, a review by a twelve year old reader for Judy Blume’s Freckle Juice. Guest reviews receive a $10 gift certificate.

Rattlesnake Noisemaker (Pam Sicely) – uses film canisters, wire, tissue, beads, chenille stems, wiggle eyes, uncooked rice, paint. Has 6 steps for directions.

Frog Friends (Rebecca Spohn) – uses Big Mac containers, Styrofoam balls, craft foam, paint. Has 5 steps for directions.

Faux Button Frame (Karen Prince) – uses recycled cereal box cardboard, sculpey, recycled AA battery, magnets. Has 6 steps for directions.

Zoo –n- Farm Friends Magnets (Amy Koranek/Polyform Products) – uses sculpey, magnets. Has 10 steps.

Ribbon Girl Jewelry Holder (Linda Valentino) – uses Styrofoam cone, craft sticks, wooden doll head, ribbon, craft boa, eyelet lace, paint. Has 8 steps.

Belt Bracelet (Cheryl Ball/Duncan Enterprises) – uses recycled belt, black lacing, paint. Has 4 steps.

Friends Journal (Ann Butler) – uses recycled cereal box cardboard, card stock, copy paper, metal rings, stickers, fabric scraps. Has 6 steps.

BFF Card (Debby Forshey-Choma) – uses blank card, cork sheet, pvc sheets, print paper, paint, rhinestones. Has 5 steps.

Mom & Me and Daddy & Me Frames (Debby Foshey-Choma/Midwest Products) – uses unfinished wood frame, PVC sheets, rub-on transfers, craft foam letters, silver wire, paint, rubber stamps. Has 7 steps.

Mom’s Pin & Card (Michelle Zimmerman/AMACO) – uses friendly plastic, card stock, craft foam letters, ribbon, pin back, cookie cutter. Has 6 steps.

Moms Are Bee-utiful/Dads Are Tee-rific (Pam Sicely) – uses glass jar, sculpey, wire, beeds, card stock, ribbon. Has 8 steps.

Post-It Holders (Linda Valentino) – uses recycled cereal box cardboard, post-it pad, printed paper, silk flower, ribbon, magnet strip, button. Has 5 steps.

Good Night’s Rest Pillowcases (Pam Sicely) – uses white pillowcases, fabric markers. Has 3 steps.

Tea Time Dispenser (Pam Sicely) – uses recycled Pringles canister, card stock, white ribbon, tea bags. Has 5 steps.

Apple Paperweight (Karen Prince) – uses Sculpey, chalk. Has 6 steps.

Thank U Card (Debby Forshey-Choma/Midwest Products) – Uses blank card, printed paper, midwest styrene and birch plywood, paint, ribbon. Has 6 steps.

Keepsake Bookworm Gift Jar (Pam Sicely) – Uses glass jar, Sculpey, wire, beads, ribbon, card stock. Has 12 steps.

Under the Sea Tote Bag (Terry Ricioli) – Uses tote bag, fabric paint, shell buttons, rhinestones, chalk. Has 4 steps.

You’re Write On! Card (Rebecca Spohn) – Uses card stock, construction paper, notebook paper, wiggle eyes, colored pencils. Has 5 steps.

Uncle Sam Favor (Sandy Rollinger) – Uses recycled water bottle, card stock, paper crimper, ribbon, wiggle eyes, pompom. Has 7 steps.

4^th of July Card (Debby Forshey-Choma) – Uses blank card, PVC sheets, rub-on transfers. Has 6 steps.

Firecracker Centerpiece (Cindy Jacobsen) – Uses recycled toilet paper tubes, paper towel tube, fabric, Styrofoam ball, felt, ribbon, chenille stems, stickers, chopsticks, paint. Has 9 steps.

Celebrate America Card (Debby Forshey-Choma) – Uses blank card, printed paper, Cellfoam, rub-on transfers, paint, rubber stamps. Has 5 steps.

Patriotic Utensils Holder (Sandy Rollinger) – Uses recycled oval tissue box, foam sheets, cookie cutter. Has 5 steps.

Star Shakers and Napkin Rings (Sandi Colwell) – Uses Sculpey, glass shakers. Has 7 steps.

Paper Plate Banner (Loretta Mateik) – Uses paper plates, paint, ribbon. Has 5 steps.

Star Wreath (Linda Valentino) – Uses Styrofoam wreath, card stock, crepe paper, toothpick flags, and curling ribbon. Has 5 steps.

Patriotic Star Bowl (Suzie Shinseki/Duncan Enterprises) – Uses bisque bowl, glazes. Has 6 steps.

Joseph & His Technicolor Dream Coat (Sandy Rollinger) – Uses craft foam, ribbon, twine, markers. Has 4 steps.

God’s Eye Design (Cheryl Ball/Duncan Enterprises) – Uses cotton t-shirts, dye, dowels. Has 9 steps.

Camp Tambourine (Sandy Rollinger) – Uses paper plates, paint, bells, chenille stems. Has 8 steps.

Prayer Stones (Sandy Rollinger) – Uses Sculpey, paint. Has 6 steps.

Dove Peace Mobile (Meggan Maravich) – Uses grapevine wreath, dowel, string, construction paper, copy paper. Has 6 steps.

Around the World (features crafts from Brazil in this issue)

Cordel Toucan Booklet (Mary Ayres) – Uses construction paper, craft foam. Has 6 steps.

Brazilian Rag Dolls (Mary Ayres) – Uses wooden spoon, fabric scraps, paint, white rope, embroidery floss, rickrack, ribbon, hemp. Has 8 steps.

Kayapo Indian Necklace (Sandy Rollinger) – Uses sculpey, beads, ribbon. Has 8 steps.

Speckled Hens (Linda Valentino) – Uses Sculpey. Has 6 steps.

Fuxico Fabric Yo-yos (Mary Ayres) – Uses dish towel, fabric, rickrack, sewing supplies. Has three steps.

Feathered Arm Bands (Melony Bradley) – Uses feathers, craft foam, wooden shapes, paint, Velcro squares. Has 7 steps.

Scout Friends (Rebecca Spohn) – Uses recycled peanut canister, craft foam, paint. Has 7 steps.

Race Cars (Karon Winter) – Uses recycled juice box, plastic straws, lifesaver candies, safety pins, electrical tape. Has 7 steps. Note: This is their “Surrounded by Science” craft.

Cuddly Crabs (Catherine A. Winn) – Uses knit gloves, felt, fiberfill, pom-poms, wiggle eyes. Has 3 steps. Note: This is their “Literature Lift Off” craft to pair with A House for  Hermit Crab by Eric Carle.

The Back Pack – Kids Create – This section highlights a craft created by a young reader. This craft was a photo mobile.

This page last updated on 01 June 2009