Maker Martha - Breaking the Piggy Bank: Craftily ever after, 6

It was hot out. And it was even hotter in the craft clubhouse, which was in Bella Diazs backyard. Bella and her three best friends were there working on all sorts of different craft projects. Theyd propped the doors open to catch the occasional breeze.

Despite the heat, the four friends were having fun. Sam Sharma was pinning up his latest sketches and planning his next painting. Maddie Wilson was sewing sequins onto the sleeves of a dress she was making. Bella was writing code for a new video game. And Emily Adams had just finished sawing a piece of wood.

Hey, are we out of sandpaper? asked Emily after she checked the supply shelves.

Bella shrugged. I dont usually use sandpaper when Im coding. She laughed. So I dont know. Are we out of it?

Looks like it. I need to sand the puppy stepladder Im making. Emily showed her new project to her friends. See? Otherwise, Woody will try to climb onto my bed and end up with splinters in all four paws!

Woof! said Sam. I guess we need to pick up some sandpaper. In the meantime, want to grab a paintbrush and help me?

Sure, said Emily. But when she looked in the paint supply area, she called out, Were out of paint, too.

You guys can always sew with me, called Maddie. Check it out! This is the dress Im going to wear to my cousins wedding!

Did you say dress ? asked Bella. I think you mean shirt.

Sure enough, the garment looked way too short to be a dress!

Its fine, said Maddie, rummaging through the sewing supplies. Ill just piece together some more fabric and... Oh no! I thought we had plenty of this fabric. I cant go to the wedding with half a dress!

Want me to start a shopping list? suggested Bella, opening a new window on her computer. Paint, sandpaper, fabric... Anything else?

Yes, said Emily, looking at the craft clubhouses mostly empty storage shelves. Were running low on almost everything.

What are we going to do? asked Sam. I cant paint without paint.

And I cant sew without fabric, added Maddie.

Yeah, wood might grow on trees, but sandpaper sure doesnt, joked Emily.

Bella laughed. Well, how about we take a snack break and give ourselves some brain fuel, she suggested. Then we can figure out how to get more supplies.

Yum, said Maddie, her mouth watering at the snacks Bella was assembling. I wish my dad was a chef too.

Is that pink lemonade? asked Emily, spying a pitcher of what looked like her favorite drink.

Not exactly. Try it, said Bella, pouring four cups.

Wow, said Sam, draining his glass. What is this? Watermelon juice?

Close. Its agua fresca , Bella explained. It means fresh water, and its like Mexican lemonade, only with more fruit added. My dads been perfecting new flavors for his restaurant. This one is watermelon-strawberry-basil. What do you guys think?

Awesome, said Maddie. The others nodded and held out their cups for more.

Hey, I have an idea! said Emily. Maybe we can earn money to restock our craft supplies by running a lemonade stand.

Or an agua fresca stand, suggested Sam.

Everyone started talking excitedly at once. Carrying the snack tray, the cups, and the pitcher, they trooped back to the craft clubhouse and began planning.

Luckily, we didnt run out of colored chalk! said Maddie, wiping the chalkboard easel clean.

And thats how well display our menu! said Sam.

When should we open for business? asked Emily.

Bella pulled up the weather forecast on her computer. This weekend? she suggested, pointing to a sun under the word Saturday.

Thats so soon, said Maddie. Dont we need to figure out a recipe? And a location? And...

Whoa. Slow down! Emily laughed. Thats why were brainstorming right now.

On the chalkboard easel, she started a list:

What else? Emily asked.

My mom says its important to advertise, suggested Maddie, thinking of her mothers successful fashion-design and seamstress business.

We could put up signs around the neighborhood, said Bella.

Perfect! Emily added Bellas suggestion to the list.

And if were trying to make money to get more supplies, then were going to need somewhere to put all the money we earn... , Sam said. Like a super-cool piggy bank!

Totally! Maddie agreed. Because our agua fresca stand is going to be a hit!

Everyone cheered as Emily added the suggestion to the list: