With all the recent toy recalls and lead fears, wooden toys have once again become all the rage for parents. A Los Angeles mom has responded to the urgent need for non-toxic, safe toys by creating her own line of safe and natural toys that are incredibly cute.
Amber of Woodmouse Loves Wood makes these ornaments and toys from scratch using sustainably harvested domestic hardwoods, non-toxic water-based paints, and a polish derived from organic jojoba oils and beeswax that she buys from a local beekeeper. She designs, cuts, sands, and paints everything from scratch in her studio.
Check out her Etsy shop for amazing bunnies, owls, pigs, cats, frogs, and several other adorable critters including a hedgehog. She also has a blog where she talks about her passion for crafts and even has a post on some what-to-do and what-not-to-do tips for selling at craft fairs. I took some notes.
In addition to great packaging, Woodmouse Loves Wood will also consider custom orders so if you absolutely must have a monkey, try asking her to design one. It's part of what makes buying handmade so wonderful -- that interaction you have with the person who put their heart into what's going to be a part of your life.