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

Jenn McKee, AnnArbor.com: I’ll admit that I have a soft spot for well-crafted, wooden toys, so Russell Fullone’s booth on State Street, a booth that is part of the Summer Art Fair, made me stop and stare a couple of times. Fullone makes old model fire engines, trucks  that sometimes are carrying small barrels or crayons, cars, golf carts, and more. The toys that more obviously are appealing to an adult audience have a small clock built inside. Here’s Fullone, who hails from Hamburg, New York, talking briefly about how he began making his toys and why he focuses on older model vehicles.

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

Delve into the world of 100 independent wood toymakers who have turned their love for the craft into a profitable and often lifelong business. In One Hundred Toymakers Who Create Wood Toys for Fun and Profit (2010) you’ll read their stories. Some started later in life, others when they were young. But one thing they all have in common is a passion for building imaginative and creative wood toys. You’ll be inspired by toymakers worldwide who are dedicated to and appreciate the beauty of shaping simples block of wood into irresistable toys for kids of all ages. Read More.

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

Intended toward visually impaired kids, the “Una” by Industrial Designer Job Buenazedacruz is an innovative toy kitchen set that lets the blind children express, enjoy and cherish those precious moments of childhood. Featuring an induction cooktop, stove and see-through fridge, the blind-friendly kitchen integrates a sink, faucet, oven and open shelving as well. In addition, there is a magnetic chalkboard menu, realistic kitchen sounds and a secret storage compartment. Made in wood and acrylic, the toy kitchen measuring just 1.8′ x 3.5′ presents a compact and portable design. Available in a variety of colors, the Una Toy Kitchen will be available for $999 (€899) by December 2010.

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


Click image to watch video. The video shows wooden toys being manufactured at Good-Wood Toys Ltd. Small wooden toys are rolled about in wooden drums to make their edges smooth. A factory worker fits pieces together to make a toy plane or helicopter. Similar toys are seen on a conveyor belt. Several shots show 86-year-old Walter Lines working on a design for his new toy factory at his drawing board and at his desk examing new finished toys. There is a commercial at the beginning of the video that takes a minute.

GRANDPA TOYMAKER

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

Fundamentall Toys says: A “good toy” is said to be 10% toy and 90% child. While many toys peak a child’s interest, those that hold their attention are few and far between. Those are the types of toys we focus on. To us toys are not frivolous playthings, they are basic learning tools that teach children everything from mathematics to social skills. They are baby-sitters and playmates, and we understand that a child’s favorite toy often becomes a trusted friend. While playing should always be FUN, it must also be taken seriously. Children are building a variety of skills, talents and abilities as they play. Their playthings should enrich and enhance their development. We keep this in mind as we select items for our store. Our selections blend creative development with entertainment value. We avoid items that display gender stereotypes, those that promote aggressive or violent play, and those that make a child a spectator rather than a participant. Read More.

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

Thailand’s largest rubber wood toy producer, Wonderworld Products Co, is focusing more on Asia instead of Europe in a bid to offset the impact of the weakening euro on its export revenues. They say that although the new markets include areas that pose a threat of knock-off products, it is confident in its design, the hygienic materials it uses that make its toys safe for children, and its marketing strategy. Read More.

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

Simone Legno (born June 16, 1977) is an Italian Artist best known for the creation of the tokidoki brand. Legno’s designs are influenced by his deep love and affection for Japan and its culture. Legno’s portfolio website was listed as one of the top ten websites of the week by The Independent in 2003. This caught the attention of Hard Candy co-founder Pooneh Mohajer and her husband Ivan Arnold. The two contacted him and after meeting, they formed the tokidoki business venture. In June 2009 it was announced that Legno would release a line of young punk rock inspired characters that would sell at the US-based retailer Target. Read More.

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

T.C.’s was started because of our two sons, Tyler and Chase. In an effort to find the old-fashioned marble race toy for our sons, we realized that it was almost no where to be found. Luckily, we were pointed in the right direction and instead of just finding the marble race toy, we found so much more. We discovered lots of old-fashioned, high quality wood toys created by an Amish Toymaker. Toys that do not require batteries and are made in the U.S.A.  Read More.

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

David Michel is a serial entrepreneur. He grew up in a small mid-western town not unlike Tarrytown. After college, graduate school and various jobs, he founded WonderWings.com Entertainment in 1994 with the goal of creating a high-quality non-violent series for TV’s youngest viewers. The genesis of airplane characters arose from David’s “million-miler” status flying on business trips for his previous job. Michel’s then-3-year-old son John was fascinated by his Dad’s aviation stories.
Read More.

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

Four years ago, brothers Will and Chris Haughey wanted to help the Honduran economy after Chris volunteered there to help street kids. That effort resulted in Tegu, a toy company in Tegucigalpa, the country’s capital, that employs 25 Hondurans. “Chris was stricken by the poverty there,” said Will Haughey, a resident of the Rowayton section of Norwalk who in 2008 left Goldman Sachs to focus on Tegu, which, he said, is not named after the large South American lizard. Tegu, which makes its products out of huesito, a native wood, and mahogany, also replants trees to help the environment. Read More.