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

Time to toss away those plastic figurines and give your kids something earthy to adore with the Cheekeyes fresh and fun wooden playsets. The clean sleek lines of Cheekeyes’ handmade animals are beautiful to touch and behold, with the lovely grain of polished rubberwood enlivened by a funky dash of color. Environmental ideologies brought fruit to the creation of Cheekeyes. Why cover wood with paint when wood in itself has so much to offer? Cheekeyes looked for a way to provide children with the touch and feel of something natural combined with lively colors to attract and maintain their attention. Read More.

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

To make wooden track out of the recommended white birch, maple or European beech you need three different bits. One bit makes the female connector with a single pass, another makes the male connector in two passes, and the third makes the tracks. The single-track bit works well for both straight and curved tracks. Making straight tracks in one pass requires the dual-track bit. Three different companies sell bit sets for making wooden train tracks: Rockler, MLCS, and Hartford Tool. There’s are two different track styles. The MLCS bits make the tracks that work with Thomas the Tank Engine sets. The individual bits are $20 to $40 when purchased separately. Kits with all four bits from Rockler and MLCS are around $100. Click here for your FREE Downloadable Train Track Plan

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

The products and toys I design are meant to put a smile on your face, creating fun interactions with the products and with others. I have been fortunate enough to have my designs featured on the Tonight Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America, as well as in The NY Times, Food and Wine Magazine and numerous other (very important) domestic and international publications. I hope you enjoy them too.   Jason Amendolara

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

Jim started building models in the mid-1970’s. He attended a woodworking show where the Orange County woodworkers had an exhibit, and he was immediately drawn to a project they were working on. This involved making wooden toys to give to underprivileged kids as Christmas presents. He joined the Orange County woodworking club and has found the projects to be very rewarding. This year they distributed 4200 toys through approximately 35 different charities. Read More

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

AreaWare Mission

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

Their woodshop is located in an historic winery building  -constructed in 1928. The shop is surrounded by 9 acres of gardens and fields. ATF’s founder and principal woodcrafter is Don Doan – now in his mid-sixties, Don is academically trained in literature and philosophy, but has been working with wood since childhood and professionally for over 30 years. Read More

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

Video shows Arnold Golay, Toymaker at work in his workshop early on a winter morning sawing and shaping his creations. Watch closely for classic toymaking techniques.

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

Who’s ready for breakfast? This wooden set is perfect for learning the names of breakfast foods and for serving breakfast anywhere, anytime. The Breakfast Menu makes a great addition to your child’s pretend play food and kitchen collection. Includes: 1 serving tray, 1 set of salt and pepper shakers, 2 slices of bread, 1 slice of cheese, 1 sourdough roll, 1 hard-boiled egg (2 pieces), 1 hard boiled egg holder, 1 sausage, 1 slice of bacon, and 1 fried egg. PlanToys are made from natural, chemical free rubber wood and finished with non-toxic and child friendly colors. The video is great once you get past the advertisement. Wait a couple of seconds after the ad for the video to start.