New Durham craft store offers regular programs for kids

There's a new craft store in Durham.

It's all thanks to Jessica Greene, who had her first child in October and knew she wanted to spend as much time as she could with her. The former art teacher and her husband Franklin Santana had always dreamed of opening up a business in Durham since moving there in 2006.

So even though they were (I'm guessing) the exhausted parents of a newborn, they decided to open up the craft shop. Greene took some inspiration from a friends' craft store and studio in Brooklyn.

Greene tells me it's easier than it sounds. She's able to bring her daughter to the store with her and the kids who come in love to interact with her.

You'll find a variety of products for sale at the store. Greene stocks art supplies for kids including crayons made with vegetable dyes, markers that won't dry out when the cap is left off and finger paint in easy to use tubes. She also has fine art supplies, such as oil paints, acrylic paints, watercolors, brushes, canvases, paper, drawing pencils and easels. Other supplies include felting supplies, stamps, ink pads, paper punches and more. You'll also find special items by local artists such as notecards, children's smocks, art prints and jewelry.

The store also has a craft studio with supplies for making and decorating craft projects. There is a menu of items that you can come in anytime and paint or decorate, including a birdhouse or a recycled cotton tote bag (sounds like great Mother's Day gift ideas for grandma if you're looking for something to do during spring break). And each month there is a special drop-in craft of the month. This month, it's Easter baskets. And in May, they'll offer a box with a frame lid (also a great gift for Mother's Day).

Bull City Craft offers Preschool Playcraft for ages 2 to 5 from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays and the first Saturday of the month. Cost is $5 for the first child and $4 for each additional child.

And the studio also will hold workshops and birthday parties. They'll have after school classes in May and stay tuned for more information about summer camp classes.