From nubs to new: Crayola Crayon Maker lets kids create their own crayon colors

12:00AM / Wednesday, June 05, 2002Print Story | Email Story

Got some bits of burnt sienna that are beyond sharpening? Any stubs of shocking pink or screamin' green ready for retirement? Hold onto those tiny nubs of wax, or whatever you call them. They're ready to make a comeback. The Crayola crayons kids love most -- their favorites that become minute pieces of magenta or little laser lemon nubs after hours and hours of coloring -- are the "fuel" for a new toy from the maker of Crayola products. The Crayola Crayon Maker, the first crayon-making machine of its kind, lets kids have fun creating and naming their own collection of Crayola crayon colors by melting down and re-molding their tiny stubs of wax into brand new crayons. Recycled color "An average child will wear down about 730 crayons by his 10th birthday," says Stacy Gabrielle, Crayola spokesperson. "With our new crayon maker, those well-used crayon pieces too precious for kids to part with can be returned to tip top shape." According to a press release from Crayola, the tabletop "crayon factory" operates using a small light bulb that melts down the crayon pieces kids vigorously wear down as they color and create, or the colored wax that comes with it. After the pieces are arranged on the melting tray and the timer is cranked, kids can watch their personal wax works do its job through the hip see-through dome that locks in place until the crayons are completely melted and molded. A "tip switch" automatically shuts off the Crayon Maker if it accidentally tips over. Once the wax pieces inside become a colorful liquid emitting that familiar Crayola crayon scent, the light turns off signaling it's time to turn another knob that tilts the melting tray forward, sending a stream of color into the molds. In about 20 minutes, kids can make three new crayons in their favorite hues, or create names for totally new colors they can invent by melting together different colored wax pieces to make multi-colored crayons. Artistic flavors A small slice of "wild watermelon," a chunk of "banana mania" and a piece of "granny smith apple" can be melted together to make a swirled stick called "fruit salad." Britney Spears' fans can melt and mold robin's egg blue (reportedly her favorite), cerulean and sky blue to make a special hue called "britney blue." Other crayon maker "recipes" will be available at Crayola.com when the Crayola Crayon Maker hits stores in July. Kids can put the finishing touches on their new crayons now ready for active duty by writing names they create on the adhesive labels that truly turn their new wax sticks into Crayola crayons. A set of 18 labels comes inside, along with "cog and wheel" shaped decals for decorating the Crayon Maker. The Crayola Crayon Maker will be available in July at mass merchandisers and toy stores nationwide. Retailing for about $24.99, it will add a fun touch of color to birthday, holiday or "special occasion" gifts.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

Budhaus Cannabis Store

Open 9:00am Mon–Sat An elevated cannabis company providing highly crafted product & personal touch

www.budha.us

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

What do the current owners love about this home?

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

View Full Story