Our difference: sustainable and ethica
Yes, handmade toys are always one of a kind, carrying unique marks made by nature. Wood grain has changing structures and colours which serve as proof of the toys natural origins. The unique variations are proof of quality, not defects.
Black stripes are also something completely natural. This is the so-called pith tube or “heart of the tree”. It differs from the surrounding wood by the darker colour and structure. When working on the wood, it can become completely or partially visible. This feature is part of the natural appearance of the wood. Therefore, these are not defects, but quality features of a natural product and as such are desired and welcome in a world that values sustainability and diversity.
One of the wonderful features of wooden toys, is that as well as being more more robust than most mass produced plastic toys, they can generally be fixed if they break. While wooden toys may last for many years, and even be handed down through generations, it’s also possible that through normal play breakages occur.
We are not able to offer replacements for breakages during play, but we can offer advice on one way you may choose to handle this situation. A broken toy can be a wonderful “teaching” moment for a child. We can ask our children to think about ways we might be able to fix the toy and how to avoid such a breakage again, so that they become part of the learning process. Working together to sand a toy or apply a little wood glue can be a meaningful response. It can also stimulate discussion about our environment and why it’s important to try and “fix” things instead of throwing them away.
If in the event a well-loved wooden toy is beyond repair, you have the peace of mind in knowing it will sink back into nature’s cycle.
Yes, we choose our manufacturers very carefully and work with the best toy makers in the world using the very best in sustainable practices.
We use couriers that have provided us with fast and trusted service for many years. Orders are dispatched within 1-3 days from finalisation of payment.
Postage is charged according to the size of your order and location. Once you have placed your order you will receive an invoice with your delivery fee listed separately.
Yes, we around proud to say that the majority of our toys are suitable for Vegans, and where we have chosen a natural materials such as silk or wool (for Waldorf education purposes), then we have done so with great thought and consideration. In many cases natural materials are still better for the environment and the developing senses of a child than synthetic alternatives.
All our toys are finished with natural vegetable oils and made from vegan-friendly materials with the following exceptions:
Selecta Wooden Toys are finished with natural beeswax.
Wobbel Boards with felt use real wool felt but Wobbel Pro is a Vegan option made from recycled PET bottles and looks and feels like wool.
Sarah’s Silks use Habotai silk, an ancient product from China. Silk caterpillars eat mulberry leaves so farms have to grow lots of trees to produce silk. They also are fed by hand on family farms. No pesticides or chemicals can be used as the caterpillars and moths are sensitive. Sarah’s Silks playsilks are hand-hemmed by women in their homes in one village near Suzjou. They pay an above average per piece rate. Sarah’s Silks do make a cotton playcloth alternative to silk.
Nanchen and Evi dolls are stuffed with organic natural wool to allow the sense of warmth to be present for a child cuddling a doll. We think this is much nicer than popular soft dolls we see on the market that are filled with shredded plastic.
Trommus Drums are made from animal hides that would otherwise be thrown away. They are sourced in Pakistan from free range animals that are killed for meat. The hides are hard wearing and replaceable, and the drum bases made from recycled plastic, so that a Trommus should never need to become landfill!
Our manufactuers have a strong philosophy of connecting children to the natural world through their products, and our resources and toys are inspired by the shapes and colours of nature.
Our toys are tactile and reflect both the beauty and diversity of nature and the people of our Earth. The production process for many of our products uses simple, old-fashioned methods that respect the materials and allow the nature of the natural world to shine through. Our toys connect children with the earth and the way nature expresses itself through the wood and material.
Trees have naturally occurring marks and variations in colour and density and this is reflected in marks and notches that are loved for their individuality, their expression and their ability to add beauty and interest to an item.
Wood grain has changing structures and colours which serve as proof of the toys natural origins and proof of handmade quality.