I woke up this morning thinking about holiday gifts. Before anyone woke up, I tiptoed downstairs and made a list for my family and friends... and a new one: for my shop. I'm working on some patterns that I think you'll enjoy for your own gift making. More details soon. In the meantime, my favorite toymaker came to mind. I did a post about him in the very early days of my blog, so I thought I'd bring it back for you to enjoy today. He's truly amazing. May I present you with...
I recently discovered a modern day Geppetto living down the road. Geppetto was the famous toymaker who brought Pinocchio to life. Gunther Keil, of Wild Apples, has been making beautiful crafted natural toys from wood for over thirty years. When I first visited his toyshop/studio, I felt like I was stepping into a page from a storybook.
The walls were neatly lined with all his whimsical creations and there sat Gunther at his workbench, looking every bit the magical elf you'd expect to create such beautiful toys.
In this day and age of plastic and disposable, where most items available to our children are mass produced, how wonderful to find lovingly handcrafted toys using non-toxic finishes, local woods, and green energy. Back to the present. I now consider Gunther one of my friends, not just someone I admire and I can tell you this: he's the real thing. True to himself and heartfelt in all that he makes. Here's a little bit more of his story, I'm sure you'll see his spirit shining through!My long standing favorites are these gorgeous banks.
I'm sure my daughter would go crazy over this Kitten Caboodle.
Just so you know, this post is unsolicited... as much as I enjoy promoting someone wonderful just for the sheer pleasure of it... I'm also thinking of all of you. Wild Apples toys has something in every price range (seriously reasonable for handmade wooden toys!) and ship all over the world. Plus, I have a suspicion that many of you love natural toys for gift giving, too. Mama Goose carries Wild Apple toys if you're local. If not, you can go directly to their website:
Wild Apples
those banks! and the kitten caboodle! my kids would love both. thanks for sharing this great find.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this! This is exactly what I have been searching around for, finally at reasonable prices!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Maya!
~Jenny
Those are fantastic, I love wooden toys. Thanks for sharing his work with us.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for posting this, i wrote about it on my blog and think i'll be purchasing a few of the toys for the little one's in my life this christmas.
ReplyDeletecheers!
It is so great that you wrote this today. I was pondering on what to gift my kids for christmas.
ReplyDeleteI has some wooden toys in mind but they were very pricey. Thank you
Goodmorning! I stop by often, without leaving a comment (am never really sure how to say what I'd like to ..), but I just wanted to let you know what an utter delight it is to visit your blog. It is so very inspiring - so thank you. Thank you very much, for sharing your ideas so generously, and for presenting them in such a beautiful manner. There. I left a comment!
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous- Love the toys inside idea. MY daughter would go nuts for the Kitten Caboodle (and we used to have a cat called Kitten Caboodle). Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have seen his work before and I think it's wonderful. If I had enough money, I would get his Trojan House full of little Greek soldiers, not for my son, but for my husband, because I think it would look cute in the office of an archeologist.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree with you more, Maya. Gunther Keil is indeed a wonderful toymaker. I have visited his studio with my family and we always bring a little something home.
ReplyDeleteHe also makes these beautiful sliding animal book racks.
Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful crafter to my attention. I know I will be doing some Christmas shopping soon at Wild Apple.
ReplyDeletewow these wooden toys are so adorabale and no doubt that Gunther Keil is indeed a wonderful toymaker. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recommendations, love the kittens and am off to find them now.
ReplyDelete