Wood Toy News July 4, 2011

July 4, 2011

Wood Toy News www.toymakerpress.com

Steve Degenhardt launches Northwest Toycrafters online!

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“We have been building natural wood toys for many years and really enjoy it. After all these years of making our toys we still find it exciting to see a stock piece of lumber become a toy. It is great to see how excited a child becomes when playing with a toy that we have made.� Steve Degenhardt www.toymakerpress.com

July 4, 2011

Wood Toy News www.toymakerpress.com

“15 years ago I became interested in wood working and purchased a scroll saw. The first project I built was a toy train. From that moment on I was hooked and have been making toys ever since.” Steve Degenhardt

Steve’s toy line includes these classic cars and trucks.

After a couple of years making toys I decided to try my hand at the craft show circuit. That first year I had a good selection of cars, trains, and airplanes. The toys sold well, but the thing I remember most is how much fun the children had that came to my booth.

A few months ago I was building a toy semi truck from their Wood Toy Cars and Trucks book when an interesting thing happened. I turned and bumped into my table and the toy parts fell on the ground.

As I was picking the I built these trucks with plans from pieces up, the idea the Toymaker Press book for Build-it Blox toy Wood Toy Cars and Trucks vehicles came to me.

I designed Build-it Blox by creatively modifying Toymaker Press plans.

This playful gas station play set is carefully crafted.

I had set up a play table of toys so the children could play. I had such a good feeling watching the kids play with something I had created. I knew that this is something I wanted to do the rest of my life.

One evening while surfing the internet for new toy plans, I came across the Toymaker Press web site. I immediately liked what I saw and ordered a couple of the plans. The toys came out great. I ordered a few of the books and find them to be a joy to work with.

Build-it Blox vehicles consist of a freewheeling block base with attachment dowels. Solid wood stacking blocks are assembled through the dowels to create the vehicles. The blocks fit together easily and encourage the children to build, stack, and sort the blocks.

www.toymakerpress.com

July 4, 2011

Wood Toy News www.toymakerpress.com

I have now begun to modify some of the Toymaker Press plans to make these vehicles. I have been modifying plans from the Cars and Trucks book, their Free Weekenders eBook, and I just recently purchased the Build Big Wood Toy Trucks ebook and am working on these.

Steve’s new Etsy Store is receiving favorable responses and promises to be a big boost for his wood toy business.

Steve designed this attractive banner for his online Etsy Store. Click on the banner to visit Steve’s Etsy online store.

Steve says: During the past few weeks I have put some of the Build-it Blox vehicles in my Etsy store located on the internet at www.nwtoycrafters.etsy.com, and have been receiving favorable responses.

Steve’s business savvy and courage shows in his skillfully written policy statement for his Etsy Store. His work is an inspiration to every aspiring toymaker. It’s worth reading.

Northwest Toycrafters Policy Statement Welcome to our Etsy store We offer a complete line of wooden toy trains, cars, trucks and building blocks, guaranteed to bring hours of fun to children of all ages. Our toy’s are handcrafted one at a time using pine and birch woods. They are designed to be safe and durable. We use only non-toxic glue on our toys.

We are located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and have been making toys for many years. We offer high quality

products, reasonable prices, and exceptional customer service. Have fun looking at our products and thanks for stopping by.

Payment We accept payment by Paypal, check, or money order.

Items that are paid for with a check or money order will not ship until the payment has cleared.

Shipping We ship USPS and ship within 5 days of cleared payment. We are not responsible for the transit times from our shop to the customer. We now ship Worldwide.

Any duties, taxes, or other fees are the responsibility of the customer.

Return Policy We offer a 7 day money back return policy. The item must be returned to us in new condition. There are no refunds of shipping fees and return shipping must be paid by the buyer.

www.toymakerpress.com

July 4, 2011

Wood Toy News www.toymakerpress.com

“ All you need is a table saw and drill, some common lumber, and a little time to build these fun toy trucks. ” John W. Lewman

We are thrilled to see Steve’s adaptations of the plans from our Wood Toy Cars and Trucks hardcover book or eBook. The plans carefully are designed for building high quantities of wood toy trucks efficiently using common materials and woodworking methods.

CLICK HERE to see Wood Toy Cars and Trucks

Cars and trucks on this page are from the book Wood Toy Cars and Trucks.

Cars and trucks from book Wood Toy Cars and Trucks

www.toymakerpress.com

July 4, 2011

Wood Toy News www.toymakerpress.com

Fire Station and assorted trucks from book Build Big Wood Toy Trucks

Steve is offering toys on his website that he’s built with plans from the book Build Big Wood Toy Trucks. Some of the trucks from the book are shown on this page. The toys sell well unpainted or finished with a clear coat.

CLICK HERE to see Build Big Wood Toy Trucks

U.S. Post Office Shipping Station from book Build Big Wood Toy Trucks

The bright colors can add a lot of excitement. We’ll be showing you how to apply colors to your wood toy creations in a future how-to video.We painted 25,000 wood toys with a high gloss finish in one summer with the process. It worked great and we sold every toy!

Crane Truck from book Build Big Wood Toy Trucks

Trucks & accessories on this page are from the book Build Big Wood Toy Trucks.

www.toymakerpress.com

Dump Truck from book Build Big Wood Toy Trucks

July 4, 2011

Wood Toy News www.toymakerpress.com

Cynthia Lewman creates new YouTube WoodToymaker Channel. Subscribe now!

Go to http://www.youtube.com/user/WoodToymaker

Be sure to subscribe to our new YouTube video channel!

Visit my YouTube channel to see fun videos about toys, toymakers and toymaking at http://www.youtube.com/user/WoodToymaker I’m just getting started and have a lot of how-to’s in the planning stage. Also, you can share your videos on our channel, and it’s free! Drop me a note for more information. email: cynthialewman@toymakerpress.com

www.toymakerpress.com