(at the workbench) - the apprentice

 last week ended unexpectedly with a sick kiddo, but here they are finally finished toy tool sets for the young woodworker's apprentice .  I've listed a couple sets today and will probably be able to finish of two or three more sets with the remaining beautiful walnut that i've been working with.

i'll also have another finished project to share later on this week too... hope you're having a great week and enjoying gorgeous spring weather!

(at the workbench) - shake me

 

 

simplicity is often best...

here is one of the couple projects I've been working on this week. 

I love the native hardwoods I used and the beautiful contrasting wood grainsand the playfulness of the maple and cherry wood spots against the recessed holes that masquerade as spots as well 

and how all together this detail conceals where the shaking rattles sound is coming from!.....This is one of the things I like most about rattles.... 

that they create a bit of a puzzle for the little ones. I can remember when my daughter was young how she amused herself by making wonderful little sounds as she moved through the house. How wonderful it is to be a little noise maker!

I've combined the classic wooden toy with another everlasting childhood toy: stacking blocks

what better fun than to stack, tumble, tip, shake and of course general happy baby noise making!

(at the workbench) - very little

It is true ....  little things are very sweet ....

  this week, as the rabbits overrun my workbench,  some wee babies have just been born ....

 I wasn't sure how small the wee ones would be, but as it turns out the baby bunnies are smaller than a pine cone

and still even smaller than a clothes pin ...

 Here are their parents Mr. Long Ears and Mama Hears a Sound (just in case you haven't had a chance to meet them), they are so very happy to at last have the little ones near by ...

the bunnies are they haven't open their wide eyes.... but they will (and I hope you'll be able to visit with them again soon!)

And a little note:  This Saturday I will be returning to my process feature sharing traditions of woodworking,  toy making, and of old and perhaps forgotten crafting techniques.  If you have time,  please come visit again.

(process) - from lands long ago

I have been wanting to add a weekly process feature to "Whither Will I Wander" for a long time ... sharing traditions of woodworking,  toy making, and of old and perhaps forgotten artistry .

Hope you enjoy today's post sharing a still living history of the the handmade wooden toy in three far away workshops....

at the workbench - At Baby's Farm

Baby finds his first toys ... his own little hands are great discoveries ... and just beyond those little hands, baby goes on to reach out to his world beyond ...


by taste and by touch ... baby learns .... grasping and holding, turning and even biting ... a baby's world is learned closeup.







... at the workbench this past week  ... I have been at work on a *Farm for the littlest people....

... little creatures for even littler hands  ... I love these simple wooden toys that grow with the youngest child ... little toys that gain in character as baby learns his first words

...a first pretend play set ...where a little wooden bunny teether learns to hop along a trail and a little wooden chick can build a nest and speak and snuggle with other farm yard friends.
Even the simplest toys are ever changing in a young one's world.

(process) - a lttle turning

How to go about making something?

Every project that comes to mind needs a path to see it through. Sometimes the process is intuitive, while other times the skill level and tools on hand determine the approach. Process can always be so interesting.

Here is a little video (all in German-but no worries,it speaks for itself). Watch until the end to make sure you see what the artisan is making - you might be surprised.



Do you have any unexpected processes in your work that you like to share, I would love to hear ... please leave a comment.

(at the workbench) - in the winter woodland

In the Northern Winter woods ..

There is ... a bare world of twisty, tawny brown branches ... trees that are thankfully ever green... a clear, crisp and cold blue sky.... and a glowing, radiant white land

... the world is so much quieter now... silently waiting from my workbench .. this silent Winter Taveler waits for his folk colors...  even when the earth's palette is simple and pure ...


Yesterday was the day ... there was time to paint quietly his colors.

Sometimes I do not know for sure from what land or far away time these folk and vintage-inspired creatures come.

It is that way sometimes with a folk-loving heart. The colors, textures and patterns all mingle together all taken in by open eyes wandering this wide world.

You can visit with the Silent Traveler here at my Prettydreamer.

(at the workbench) - wandering little gnome

he was once a block of wood  ... which makes sense ... simple, earthy gnomes like nothing better than their woodland homes ...

he started out on my workbench during December's holiday rush ... but he is not one to be hurried ... a patient fellow ... he was cut from lovely, native hardwoods that were his home ...

 

he was shaped and carved and sanded smooth with care by hand

Polished smoothed and finished with a hand-rubbed natural finish.



He is what he should be ... a little wooden gnome that loves to wander in the quiet places.

He at last made his way to my Prettydreamer late this January. You can find him here along with the carved woodland village that is in process.

child’s play: building blocks

 Well the Etsy Stalker has struck again! This time she has visit Prettydreamer!
A story about Child’s Play: Building Blocks


Here is Curator Violet pick from my shop :

A Little Storybook Village - Town Building Blocks

(at the workbench) - if wood saw could saw wood

... a woodworker of old would often make the tools that were needed for his work... here in process is what I am for now calling a flame-backed dovetail saw. This classic hand tool is handcrafted with traditional woodworking techniques (such as tongue and groove joinery and hand pegged joints)



This traditional wooden backsaw - or really a saw made from wood- is for folks of all ages who love tools, woodworking, carpentry and are full of imagination for what a "wood saw" can actually do.



This prototype is still awaiting the final finishing... but watch soon for these heirloom "Wood Saws"to be available at Prettydreamer or feel free to contact me about pre-ordering details.

Simple Joys - Simple Toys