toywizard.org » HandmadeToys http://toywizard.org/blog 554 interesting reads for wood toymakers, toy designers and toy enthusiasts from Toymaker Press. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:08:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 When Charles and Donna Cooley became aware that many children have never had a toy, they formulated their motto, “We may not be able to make a toy for every child in the world that needs one–but we’re going to try!” http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/06/04/when-charles-and-donna-cooley-became-aware-that-many-children-have-never-had-a-toy-they-formulated-their-motto-we-may-not-be-able-to-make-a-toy-for-every-child-in-the-world-that-needs-one-but-we/ http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/06/04/when-charles-and-donna-cooley-became-aware-that-many-children-have-never-had-a-toy-they-formulated-their-motto-we-may-not-be-able-to-make-a-toy-for-every-child-in-the-world-that-needs-one-but-we/#comments Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:34:24 +0000 Administrator http://toywizard.org/blog/?p=9138 toywizardlogo-07-22-09

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans

Sometimes living in this land of plenty, we forget forget those who live in the land of nothing – especially the little children. Charles and Donna Cooley have not forgotten. This is Charles’ story of how the Happy Factory came to be: “We’re so grateful we’ve been given this opportunity to serve the little children.”  Read More.

]]> http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/06/04/when-charles-and-donna-cooley-became-aware-that-many-children-have-never-had-a-toy-they-formulated-their-motto-we-may-not-be-able-to-make-a-toy-for-every-child-in-the-world-that-needs-one-but-we/feed/ 0 India’s timeless and historical Kondapalli toys get GI protection to help preserve this ancient toymaker craft. http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/05/29/indias-timeless-and-historical-kondapalli-toys-get-gi-protection-to-help-preserve-this-ancient-toymaker-craft/ http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/05/29/indias-timeless-and-historical-kondapalli-toys-get-gi-protection-to-help-preserve-this-ancient-toymaker-craft/#comments Sat, 29 May 2010 13:33:16 +0000 Administrator http://toywizard.org/blog/?p=8923 toywizardlogo-07-22-09

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans

Kondapalli toys are the most recent category of handicrafts to obtain Geographical Indications (GI) protection in India, being only the second handicraft from the state of Andhra Pradesh to receive such protection. Made in the village of Kondapalli on National Highway No. 9, 25 km from Vijaywada, this art form can be traced back to the times of Sri Krishna Deva Raya.

Toy making in Kondapalli is an intricate process which even to this day is done only by hand by using a special type of wood known as ‘Tella Poniki’ or white sander, grown specially in the lands earmarked for the purpose in villages surrounding Kondapalli. Each organ of the body is separately carved after the wood is seasoned and cut to appropriate sizes, and joined together with an adhesive paste derived from tamarind seeds. A coating of ‘sudda’ (white lime) is given over the surface. It is then placed on a ‘kumpati’ (charcoal fire) to allow the moisture to evaporate, leaving the toy firm and solid. A cloth is then fixed on top of the makku-covered toy, further reinforcing the strength. The toys are then coated with a primer and the distinctive colours are then applied using a goat brush. Vegetable dyes, oil paints or enamel paints are used for the distinctive colouring of these toys depending on whether they are to be exported sold within India, or are to be used for special occasions respectively. Read More.

]]> http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/05/29/indias-timeless-and-historical-kondapalli-toys-get-gi-protection-to-help-preserve-this-ancient-toymaker-craft/feed/ 0 Retro Toys offers newly minted tin toys inspired by the past. http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/03/01/retro-toys-offers-newly-minted-tin-toys-inspired-by-the-past/ http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/03/01/retro-toys-offers-newly-minted-tin-toys-inspired-by-the-past/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:14:23 +0000 Administrator http://toywizard.org/blog/?p=6206 toywizardlogo-07-22-09

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

Retro Toys is an amazing webstore with an endless collection of nostalgic toys. If you are looking for retro toys of any type-wood, tin, plastic, cast-this is the place. A visit to their site is a trip down memory lane and is a great resource for toy enthusiasts. Check it out.

tin-OldRacer

]]> http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/03/01/retro-toys-offers-newly-minted-tin-toys-inspired-by-the-past/feed/ 0 Pen Pencil Stencil Studio’s Mark Giglio designs new lathe turned toys from scrap wood. http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/02/26/pen-pencil-stencil-studios-mark-giglio-designs-new-lathe-turned-toys-from-scrap-wood/ http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/02/26/pen-pencil-stencil-studios-mark-giglio-designs-new-lathe-turned-toys-from-scrap-wood/#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:42:46 +0000 Administrator http://toywizard.org/blog/?p=6124 John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

Pen Pencil Stencil is the studio and workspace of designer Mark Giglio. Originally from Southern California, Mark grew up drawing, painting, skateboarding and surfing. Currently he lives and works in Oakland, California. Beginning as a designer at Cahan and Associates, Mark has since had the opportunity to work on projects with a diverse mix of companies, such as 2k by Gingham, Apple, Dwell, GSP, Nike, Tolleson Design, and others. You can purchase toys from his studio website. If you have any illustration or design needs, please feel free to visit Mark’s studio.

penpencilstencil

 

]]> http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/02/26/pen-pencil-stencil-studios-mark-giglio-designs-new-lathe-turned-toys-from-scrap-wood/feed/ 0 Birds in the Bramble creates organic infant mobile toy. http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/26/birds-in-the-bramble-creates-organic-infant-mobile-toy/ http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/26/birds-in-the-bramble-creates-organic-infant-mobile-toy/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:25:45 +0000 Administrator http://toywizard.org/blog/?p=5568

toywizardlogo-07-22-09
John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

Birds in Bramble website: This lively farm themed mobile toy will bring enchantment and imagination to any baby’s nursery. The mobile includes a pig, horse, cow, sheep, and a dog. Each animal is made from organic wool felt, embroidery thread, grosgrain ribbon and organic cotton stuffing.

The handmade wooden suspension elements measure 9″ x 9″ with extra ribbon tied in a bow to allow length adjustment. Iinitial length measurements range from 10- 17” long. All mobiles are one of a kind. Read More.

mobile toy

]]> http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/26/birds-in-the-bramble-creates-organic-infant-mobile-toy/feed/ 0 Handcrafted Model Ships Company has been building model ships since 1959. http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/15/handcrafted-model-ships-company-has-been-building-model-ships-since-1959/ http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/15/handcrafted-model-ships-company-has-been-building-model-ships-since-1959/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:15:42 +0000 Administrator http://toywizard.org/blog/?p=5406 toywizardlogo-07-22-09

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

Handcrafted Model Ships Company has been building model ships since 1959. They offer a huge line of model ships at great prices. Read More. Model shown overall dimensions: 20″ high x 4″ wide x 14″ long. 5 colors to choose from: Yellow, Green, Navy Blue, Red, Black. This is a pre assembled model. Models are shipped with the sails unassembled. All rigging, lines and stays have brass hooks attached, which easily hook into eyelets on mast, boom, sprit or deck. Assembly takes less than 5 minutes. Detailed instructions including pictures for assembly included.

sailboatmodel

]]> http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/15/handcrafted-model-ships-company-has-been-building-model-ships-since-1959/feed/ 0 Jeff Bohrer crafts beautiful Willamette River Toy Boats in Clatskanie, Oregon. http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/14/jeff-bohrer-crafts-beautiful-willamette-river-toy-boats-in-clatskanie-oregon/ http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/14/jeff-bohrer-crafts-beautiful-willamette-river-toy-boats-in-clatskanie-oregon/#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:35:52 +0000 Administrator http://toywizard.org/blog/?p=5398 toywizardlogo-07-22-09

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

Jeff is inspired by boats that work the Willamette River. He sells his toys at shows and festivals to collectors of every age. He heard back from a Grandfather, his grandchildren had left a boat in the hot tub over a weekend and came out fine. Safe and sturdy! Hand carved, with wood-burned details (all the little planks and nails) then carefully hand painted (non-toxic paint) and triple sealed with a non-toxic hard coating. The Skipper is about 7.5″ and the Ranger is 7″ both are sealed to play in water, but the nice flat bottom makes them fun on a rug too. Read More

toyboat1

]]> http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/14/jeff-bohrer-crafts-beautiful-willamette-river-toy-boats-in-clatskanie-oregon/feed/ 0 Competition Class model yachts compete in the Poole Model Club A Class Series. These are examples of toy boats at their best. http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/13/a-class-model-yachts-compete-in-the-poole-model-club-a-class-series-toy-boats-at-their-best/ http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/13/a-class-model-yachts-compete-in-the-poole-model-club-a-class-series-toy-boats-at-their-best/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:40:09 +0000 Administrator http://toywizard.org/blog/?p=5392 toywizardlogo-07-22-09

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

This interesting video shows  toy boat race footage taken at the Hamble Point A Class Model yacht competition.

]]> http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/13/a-class-model-yachts-compete-in-the-poole-model-club-a-class-series-toy-boats-at-their-best/feed/ 0 Build a Putt-Putt Pop-Pop Toy Steam Boat. http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/13/build-a-putt-putt%ef%80%a2pop-pop-toy-steam-boat/ http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/13/build-a-putt-putt%ef%80%a2pop-pop-toy-steam-boat/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:13:07 +0000 Administrator http://toywizard.org/blog/?p=5379 toywizardlogo-07-22-09

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

 These videos introduce building a pop-pop or putt-putt steamboat. For more cool science toy projects visit http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/  

]]> http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/13/build-a-putt-putt%ef%80%a2pop-pop-toy-steam-boat/feed/ 0 Dave Casey re-discovers the simple joys of childhood by sailing toy boats. http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/13/dave-casey-re-discovers-the-simple-joys-of-childhood-by-sailing-toy-boats/ http://toywizard.org/blog/2010/01/13/dave-casey-re-discovers-the-simple-joys-of-childhood-by-sailing-toy-boats/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:56:12 +0000 Administrator http://toywizard.org/blog/?p=5364 toywizardlogo-07-22-09

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

Dave Casey: “There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. “In the photo is me playing with one of my boats, the T37 #153 “LAHINA TREADER II”
at a pond in Del Rio, Texas. Read more
 
caseyt37[1]
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