NORTH LIMA 'Party' lady is crafty

THE VINDICATOR, YOUNGSTOWN
The party coordinator also prepares special events for the corporate world.
NORTH LIMA -- For parents who are looking for a way to spruce up their children's birthday, help is right around the corner.
Sandra Elser Ciminero, owner of Artsycraftsykids in North Lima, specializes in working with birthday parties. And, to make it even more enlightening, she allows kids to design their own artwork.
Ciminero, 50, started doing parties for young children five years ago in Connecticut, when people were starting to design parties around children's interests.
"People knew who I was and what I was interested in doing for children," Ciminero said. "They [parents] asked me to design parties for their children."
Busy weekends: Ciminero has lived in the Mahoning Valley for 21/2 years and she puts on art parties essentially every weekend for children between the ages of 3 and 11.
Ciminero throws parties for kids and enjoys bringing an abundance of materials with her. The materials make the parties come to life with a magical effect.
Ciminero said she has parties in houses, halls and restaurants. Kids, in addition, enjoy her inclusion of elements such as balloons, treasure hunts, puppets, banners and face painting.
"I bring the materials and the kids will design their own environments," Ciminero said. "There is no set way in designing an art party for the groups of kids. The key is to keep the kids involved and constantly active."
Ciminero said kids can paint on decorative papers and make all varieties of exotic animals. Many of the children Ciminero caters to are able decorate their bicycles, T-shirts and helmets, while others can have the opportunity to make their own music with Ciminero's invention of a three-in-one instrument. This instrument combines the harmonious sounds of a bell, clapper and knocker.
Most parties last two hours, but those for younger children can be shorter.
Grown-ups too: Aside from putting on parties for children, Ciminero said she also specializes in having corporate parties, neighborhood block parties and after-school workshops.
Ciminero organized her first corporate party last year for Schwebel Baking Co. of Boardman. The holiday party attracted more than 500 people.
Other functions and special events Ciminero prepares range from puppet-making workshops at Salem Community Theatre to providing tours of exhibitions at the Butler Institute of American Art in Howland.
Ciminero stresses the importance of making every party unique and comfortable to the individual.
"I try to come up with new ideas and unusual projects every time I plan a party," Ciminero said.
Other prospects: Ciminero also works part time as coordinator of Youngstown State University's Summer Festival of Arts set for July 7-8. She is leaving that job in August because she has been hired as a grade school art teacher in the Champion School District.