Islanders are sticking with tradition when it comes to their Easter kites, although they are getting more creative.Local stores said kite-making supplies are flying off shelves in the lead-up to the Good Friday holiday. Sales of sticks, tissue and string have remained as steady as ever over the years — along with customers’ enthusiasm for making their own kites, they said.People are also getting more creative, with sales of printed — instead of plain colour — tissue paper taking off at Phoenix Stores.And kite-making workshops at stores like the Phoenix and Stationery Store are proving highly popular among residents.People’s Pharmacy noted sales of their pre-made Bermuda kites were not as strong as sales of supplies to actually make kites.“Sales of plastic kites have been great, but the homemade Bermuda kites are not doing as well,” said Reken Pearman, accounts manager at the People’s Pharmacy.“But people are still sticking to tradition and making their own kites and we have been very busy this week selling kite sticks and other supplies.”The kite supplies section at Phoenix on Reid Street was doing a booming business this week, said Phoenix Kidz manager Jacquelyn Napier-Marsh.This year Phoenix brought in more printed tissue paper this year, which has proven popular among kite makers.“We have leopard, zebra, cheetah prints, lips, money signs and different geometric shapes,” she said.George Grundmuller, president and CEO of Phoenix Stores added they continue to sell thousands of pieces of tissue paper and kite sticks over the lead-up to Easter.“This week has been very busy,” he said. “We have not really seen any decline in sales of our supplies over the years.“There is still the same enthusiasm for kite making. The tradition is still very much alive.”He added: “One thing that does hamper sales more than anything else is rainy, bad weather!”Rose Eve, manager of the Stationery Store, said their sales of kite-making supplies had doubled.“Each year we seem to run out of sticks and have to get more,” she said.Stationery Store was one of the first businesses to offer kite-making classes.“This year we had double customers from last year,” she said.“We have had great success with the kite making — this is our third year for doing this. Chris Maxwell has donated his time on Saturdays to help the children. This year with school still being open we had a group of students come to the store with their teacher and Chris gave up time from work (as community service) to come to the store and help show them how to make kites.“People love him and ask if he is coming back next year. We even had adults making kites and learning! It has also been an attraction to tourists who come and watch.”