Arts and Crafts Creations (Photo courtesy of Mosaik)

Walking into Mosaik, I’m suddenly seven years old again.

Surrounded by printed wrapping paper, glitter, ribbons, coloured beads and a soundtrack of Disney classics, I feel compelled to sit down and start fighting for crayons and glue. Naturally, I’m relieved to learn from owner Carolina Melhem, that Mosaik welcomes people aged “from four to 1,000″, and that the feeling is normal.

Not your average arts and crafts shop, Mosaik doesn’t mind letting their customers get their hands dirty.

As well as selling all the arts and crafts materials you’d expect, they also offer a variety of artistic workshops and a cosy space for customers to go wild and create as they wish.

You can either buy individually priced items to take home with you, or, from as little as $25, you can choose from a selection of objects, including moulds, mugs, aprons, stuffed toys, storage boxes and toy furniture, to decorate yourself inside the store.

With as much time as you need, and complimentary use of a range of supplies and decorations, many of which are seasonal, you’re guaranteed to be able to find, or create, a perfect gift in time for Hanukkah or Christmas.

Creative Fun (Photo courtesy of Mosaik)

A small coffee counter selling basic foods also means anyone fancying themselves as a gourmet decorator can have fun with freshly made biscuits and cupcakes, or creating their own unique take on the Argentine alfajor.

“We offer an alternative to going to the cinema or staying in front of the computer,” says Carolina. “In here there’s active interaction between parents and their children. It’s good for the children’s self esteem, since parents encourage them to choose what they want to experiment with, and actively listen to their choices.”

Inspired by a trend she encountered whilst living in New York, Carolina also organises arts and crafts themed birthday parties. And whilst the in-store options certainly keep younger customers occupied, adults are far from excluded from the fun.

Workshops and seminars, some of which are complimentary, offer an opportunity for children and adults to try their hand, or improve their skills, in crochet, knitting, macramé, marine knot making, jewellery making, and even origami.

Lessons in découpage for example, the artistic technique of applying coloured paper cut outs to objects combined with special painted on effects, is a favourite with people of all ages.

Mosaik opened in August 2008, although the concept of a walk-in arts and crafts atelier remains relatively new in Argentina. As the only shop of its kind in the country, Carolina admits that whilst the idea is irresistible to some, it’s still undiscovered by others.

Arts and Crafts Enthusiast (Photo courtesy of Mosaik)

“Argentines aren’t used to the idea of this shop,” she says, “which is why we offer several free events – to try and open people’s minds to it.”

As eight women of all ages arrive to attend a crochet class, I’m happy to sit down with them and learn how to turn knots and loops into a scarf.

The teacher, Patrícia Charo, has a passion for crochet. As well as teaching workshops at Mosaik, she’s also a professor of production techniques at the University of Palermo, and designs patterns for publication in crochet magazines.

The class, in this case made up of women of all skill levels, had typically discovered Mosaik by chance, but since returned to enjoy each other’s company while learning something new.

And whilst Mosaik’s regular customer base continues to build by word of mouth, a steady stream of curious passers-by can also be relied upon. “There are a lot of foreigners who come to my shop,” says Carolina. “Sometimes groups of them meet up here.”

So, with children as young as four invited in to play with moulds, glitters and glues, and adults and younger customers aged eight and upwards welcomed on workshops, it’s time to play. Do you want to join us?