How I came to Etsy
I have been making toys since I was a kid. At first, they were pretty crude. My only tool was a Boker pocket knife that my Dad gave me. I remember my Dad teaching me how to make slingshots and willow whistles. I made all sorts of toys with that knife. It lasted until I was a teenager, and the blade finally wore out.
After my kids were born, the world they lived in was different. I made small toys and other items for them, but no slingshots, bows, or willow whistles. They got older and didn't care so much for toys anymore. At about the same time, my military career ended, and I had to start over with a new IT career. Toy-making went on the back burner while I learned new skills. After 28 years, I retired as a Systems Programmer (Linux Systems Administrator).
After my grandson Odin was born, I made him cars, trucks, and a helicopter—wop-wops, as he called them. I also created stacking toys, puzzles, and a rocking horse. Odin tested everything I made and helped pick paint colors. Odin is getting too old for my wooden toys, but his sister River is taking over. Now I get to make toys for girls. River got a doll cradle for Christmas, big enough for her three babies.
I have always loved making things—especially toys. I wanted to work some craft shows, but the startup cost was too high. That’s when I discovered Etsy, which seemed like a perfect fit for me. With my woodworking skills, love for making toys, photography know-how, and 40 years of computer experience, Etsy’s low startup cost made it a perfect match.
My first goal is to make the best quality toys. These are toys I am proud of, crafted to stand the test of time as family heirlooms. Unlike models or art pieces, my toys are natural, durable, and made specifically for active play—meant to be cherished by children, not set aside on a shelf.
