Dear Lee,

During World War II, families who could afford it sent their children to summer camp away from dangerous polio exposure in cities and into a place of sports, crafts, tents and friendship. Some campers were from London, sent to the United States to escape bombing raids. Although young, campers still worried about brothers or fathers who were fighting overseas, and they had only radio and newspapers to catch up on news.

My camping days were in Maine, across the lake from the Poland Spring House where the still-famous water was sold. I liked the camp’s craft shop and made a hammered copper bowl. So did everyone else. The lumpy bowl came home with me, but it is long lost. Next came an acid-etched pin, either copper or brass. Eventually I was allowed to make a silver bracelet and pin.

But I never realized until recently that Arts and Crafts designers like Stickley and Roycroft made bowls and pins exactly like the ones that seemed like kid’s camp stuff. Copper was the metal of choice for Arts and Crafts artists—and many artists into the 1950s. Perhaps because of the high cost of gold and silver today, copper seems back as the “in” look.

Search flea markets and house sales for old “camp stuff.” Your grandmother might even have some. And look at your children’s or grandchildren’s craft projects with new eyes. Polymer bead necklaces, stamp art or Silly Bandz may be the hot collectibles of the 2050s.

P.S. If you wonder what Silly Bandz are, ask a 12-year-old.