Rainbow loom popularity snaps back

Slap bracelets, silly bands, hammer pants, Pogs and pet rocks. Whatever the trend of the day, every kid wants to get in on the action. It's no different with the latest craze: Rainbow Loom, bracelets made of bright-colored rubber bands. During the 15-minute bus ride to her Margaretta school building each day, 8-year-old Morgan Gioffredo focuses entirely on weaving her Rainbow Loom bracelets. It took her just a few weeks to master the single pattern after a tutorial with her mother, Melissa Gioffredo. She trades some of her bracelets with friends — always seeking more brilliant patterns — and a few children sell them at school. Morgan said she was hooked the moment she saw the Rainbow Loom commercial. "I just do it because it's fun," she said, demonstrating how she links multicolored rubber bands on a fluorescent purple loom. For the crafty kid, it's a perfect fit. For now, at least, because before this it was duct tape clutches and wallets. "That was, like, so last month," said her dad, Joe Giofreddo, smiling. "She's moved on." The popularity of the Rainbow Loom rubber band bracelets took off with the start of school this year. But good luck finding a loom. Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store: Sold out. Pat Catan's, Claire's and Target: Sold out, sold out, sold out. Only one local store had them in stock this week: Justice at the Sandusky Mall. The craftiest crafters can still make the bracelets without the loom. All you need are the rubber bands, which are available at Jo-Ann's and Pat Catan's.