History and Philosophy
Toys Naturally History
History is a mystery of prehistoric tapestry…or so the saying goes. This is our story….my story.
Toys Naturally was registered with Company’s House on 27th January 2011. In the ensuing months I attended a trade fair and spent time talking to friends who were mums and surfing the internet looking for toys which hit the spot. I sought friends’ opinions a fair bit but ultimately it’s been about gut feeling, and what just felt right.
I was incredibly lucky to have a web design company called SMART design fall into my lap. The team consisted of Nicola, a very good sales lady, but also a mum, a marketer and someone who seemed to zone in straight away on what I was trying to do and gave countless hours of her time, support, encouragement and very valid opinion giving me the leg up and confidence to push a little further than I was initially comfortable with. She was a real gem.
Nick was the graphic designer. Again, he had an amazing sense of what I wanted, with incredible patience as we tweaked and did over 12 sheets! of variations of the logo (I stopped counting after 12), before I was happy, then there was the website - plenty of tweaking and hours on the phone. Another diamond in the team.
Matt was the patient programmer who worked quietly behind the scenes bringing the sight to life, and doing clever things I won’t ever fathom.
Gretchen was the cheery go between who ensured smooth and effective smiley communication.
And then Callum was the kind, patient, paternal, soothing voice at the end of the phone who held my hand through understanding how everything worked, and was frequently greeted by me in a very anxious state over something that just wouldn’t work…People like him are rare treasures.
Populating the site was a mammoth task and took several weeks of late nights, and grabbing every minute I could outside of being a mom and a wife. I hope I have eradicated all spelling mistakes and put each product in its rightful place. I’m sure my eye sight will never be the same again. :P
I run the risk of sounding gushy but it’s a risk I’ll take because I want to say it. My Husband has been amazingly supportive and tolerant, and my precious daughter has been so good, continuing to nap for 2-3 hours in the afternoon and sleep soundly at night. She has been the brilliant reason for a heads up at 4 in the afternoon and enforcing a break away from the screen. She is my motivator and inspiration, my husband is my rock. I am so lucky.
There have also been treasured friends encouraging, listening, taking the time to respond to questions via text message or e-mail or facebook, as well as just being true friends in need, available for a hearty chat. And there have been the friends sorley neglected as this site took over, but still there at the end. I have learned alot about the internet and IT, but equally as much about what it is to be human.
I feel incredibly privileged to have been able to get to this point, and I hope that Toys naturally will flourish and grow. For now it is very much a brand new baby, which much like a baby is sometimes misunderstood, very demanding, but cherished and with far reaching ambitions for it. I hope, like a well-loved baby it will allow me the odd mistake and still grow as I grow and learn with it.
Toys Natural Philosophy
Play is the platform by which children learn and explore their senses and indulge their seemingly endless curiosity. They learn about themselves, the world around them and the people they interact with through play. Sharing a toy is probably one of the first lessons children learn that engages an awareness extending outside of themselves. As an adult, playing with a toy and sharing precious time with a child is the stuff memories are made of.
Toys naturally goodies are all predominantly wood; because wood is timeless, it’s natural and it’s innocent, like children. Wood tastes, it smells, has varying textures because of its grain and differing weights because of it's hardness. It clinks and clunks and is an infinitely more sensory material than unpromising plastic. Babies especially are sensory beings and their first learning is through their senses. Wood makes more sense than any other material; Further more wood is wonderful because of its reduced environmental impact. If we are going to give a gift to our children, why not one that won’t cost the earth? Intelligent, ethical, beautiful toys - made of wood.
My inspiration comes foremost from my own daughter, and my personal maternal experiences, but I’d be at a loss without my nephew and the children of close friends and their parents, who all continually show me a world we as adults seem to forget in our frantic grown up lives. Children have a sense of timelessness and focus when playing which is blissful, and their perseverance when trying to complete a task, for the first time or the fifth is captivating and necessary. How often have I wanted to ‘help’ and in so doing inadvertently interfered with and disrupted the learning process that was going on. However when I’ve stood back and observed, my heart swells with pride and intrigue at what the little person I’m watching (be it my daughter or someone else’s precious) achieves and shows me.
Rediscover the marvel of childhood through the art and joy of play. Indulge in nostalgia and a dose of happiness. Wood you play?
