Kidsday: My Fire Island bracelet biz

During the long, hot summer, I am never sitting home bored. I am usually busy on my boat at Fire Island doing many different things with my friends and family. We like to swim in the ocean, and we also enjoy kayaking in the bay. But, the best thing I do is sell bracelets with my friends or cousins. On occasion, I also make vibrant hair wraps.

The idea came to my cousin, Molly Walsh, and me when we were about 7, and we have been selling ever since. Most people ask us, "What do you do with your money?" Our reply is usually that we split it right down the middle and save up to buy things for ourselves and gifts for others.

I know many types of string designs, which are the candy stripe, the Chinese staircase, the braid and the zipper. I also use many neon and bright colors. I know different spots on the beach where the buyers sit and how long they sit there.

You also have to have the correct pricing on the bracelets because, if the prices are too high, people will not purchase them, and if prices are too low, people will come like bees to honey and buy like crazy, and you will not get the money you could be getting, and you will run out of bracelets quickly. So I base prices on this: If I've used lots of string and beading, then the price will be higher than something without beading and with less string. But, if the bracelet is custom-made, then it depends on the colors, size and type of stitch.

When the ferry comes, that is the time to have out your best work, because that is where you will find the most buyers. It's a hectic time for me, too, because I am due back at my boat by sundown, and if I am not, then I could be grounded. If I ever have any bracelets left over, I give the bracelets away for free (usually to the little kids who don't have money). When I do this and I see their cute faces, I am happy because they are happy.

Fun with Legos

I built the Lego Disney Cars 2: Big Bentley Bust Out. I think this Lego set was very easy because I have done Legos numerous times. For kids who don't build as much as I do, this might be hard because you need a lot of patience. This Lego set has 743 pieces and is recommended for ages 7 to 12. This and all other Lego sets have a choking hazard. So make sure you keep this out of the reach of small kids. Otherwise, this and other Lego sets are great activities for kids.

RATING:3/4 4 out of 5

--Kidsday Reporter Erik Schassberger

CLASS OF THE WEEK: Tracy Apicella's sixth-grade class, ISLIP MIDDLE SCHOOL, Islip