Touchabubbles: The worst thing about blowing bubbles is that the magic doesn't last long enough. The wizards at Club Earth have concocted “Amazing Touchabubbles” in a beaker-like tube with a miniature wand that makes hundreds of tiny bubbles that stick wherever they land. You can catch several and create a chain or just contemplate their colors. Be careful where they land, though. They are made of a heavier substance than regular bubble-goo that leaves behind a peel-off film. $4.95. At Urban Outfitters, 2510 Ohio Ave., Clifton Heights.

        Baby belly art: Who needs letter-scramble shower games when guests can create an heirloom sculpture? Creating a belly mask just takes some creativepeople and a mother-to-be who doesn't mind an hour-long plaster of Paris mud bath. The guest of honor lies au naturel and assistants cover her midsection with cotton gauze strips that contain a plaster of Paris powder that's activated by water. It sets after two or three minutes; the process takes about an hour. The bellymask is then coated with gesso and ready to decorate. Kits for the lightweight, hangable masks are $65 ($75 for twins) at www.bellymask.com

        Box bag: Nothing gets crushed in this aluminum hexagonal mini-trunk by T-Z Case, spotted in the window at Bankhardt's, downtown. The cherry red purse with a luggage latch and steamer trunk corners comes with a top handle or silver shoulder strap. Also available: yellow and silver in several box shapes and a black and silver clamshell shape. $36-$59. Information, 421-2121.

        Sun-god pottery: The Boutique in Pleasant Ridge may specialize in women's clothes (especially plus-sizes), jewelry and knock-out Sunday-going-to-church hats, but the back corner of the shop is a tiny tribute to Mexican handicrafts. There's a line of foot-high papier-mache south-of-the-border figures — harvester, water carriers, firewood gatherers — and Mexican water pitchers, jardinieres and jugs like this sun-god canteen ($12-$16) to keep the summer sun smiling through the winter ahead. 6207 Montgomery Road. 841-0755.

Russian star dancers resign from ballet
Uncle Sam joins ghouls and goblins
Week of benefits build up to big theater's opening
The Insatiable Shopper
'Love' delves into black experience
Harry Potter spells math skills for kids
On the Fridge
Get to it