Making Your Own Toys

Havens helps home sewers create adorable soft toys whose looks fall somewhere between classically cute and Japanese modern and which can be extensively customized.

This wonderful collection of handmade toys will delight children both young and old. The 25 projects, designed by expert craftsman Rob Merrett, take their inspiration from traditional playthings, including dolls, animals, and more. Begin with Baby’s First Soft Toy—delightful gifts for newborns designed in soft colors and gentle prints. Nursery Novelties is next, with easy patchwork and appliqué embellishments, followed by Activity Toys, where clever designs will stimulate young children’s minds. Creature Comforts has adorable animals that are perfect for little ones in a range of pretty fabrics. Finally, Divine Dollies is packed with trendy, vintage-looking rag dolls that you will love to make. Rob also develops the concept of “Kids Forever,” where designs should appeal not just to children, but also to adults who will appreciate his stylish, retro approach. Each toy comes with clear, step-by-step text and beautiful photography and artworks that will guide even a novice stitcher, helping them to produce gorgeous gifts with a charming, handcrafted feel.

You don't need to own a factory to make toys. Author and toymaker Bob Knetzger has been making fun stuff all his life with simple technology like vacuum forming and mold-making. In an age where makers are tantalized by the capabilities of 3d printers and other digital fab technology, this book takes you back to old-school hand tools, simple electronics, and working with metal and plastic to make toys every bit as good as those you can find in a big-box store. This book has something for everyone, from a marble maze to a talking booby trap; from custom cookie cutters to an "EZ Make" oven. Discover the basic principles of science, electronics, and engineering through hands-on projects that range from easy to more challenging... and are always fun!

Delight young children and encourage play through unique handmade toys. From sewn and stuffed musical instruments to interlocking paper building blocks and wooden animal figurines, the projects in this book are meant to encourage open-ended play. Organized by kid-loving subjects, the toys here follow the themes of Zoo; House; Blocks, Cars & Trucks; Dress-Up; Music; and Art. Overall, the projects here are meant to stimulate imagination, build confidence through success and enjoyment, and enhance the bond between family and friends through the creation of unique, artistic handmade toys and crafts. The thirty-five projects in this book include a variety of crafts, from drawing to sewing and light woodworking. The toys presented here are made out of wonderfully tactile materials—repurposed fabrics, wood, and paper—and invite opportunities for creative and imaginative play. Every project is easy to complete, made with accessible materials, and requires little time to make. The projects are simple enough that endless variation can come from the making of each, leaving enough room for you to make the item to suit your own personal interests. With a design aesthetic that is clean, simple, and modern, each project is presented with full-color photos and hand-drawn instructional illustrations and templates. Projects include: • Modern Doll House and Doll House Furniture • Portable Zoo Animals • Abstract Vertical Puzzle • Wooden Nature Scene • Bottle-Cap Tambourine • Exploration Cape • Modern Alphabet Game • Shadow Puppet Theater • And more!

From windmills and airplanes to dollhouses and spinning tops, now parents and children can create homemade toys reminiscent of years gone by. Simple diagrams and easy-to-follow instructions will inspire you and your children to tackle projects in a range of difficulty. Children will take great pride in their homemade toys, and parents will love the classic toys of their own childhood—and finally, a break from TV and video games! Learn how to: Design a floor plan and build a three-story dollhouse—and all the furniture to go inside! Make a toy car, complete with driver, out of the interior of an old clock. Build a carriage and cradle for a favorite doll. Create a clockwork carnival, with a Ferris wheel, circus tent, merry-go-round, and more. Make your own Malay tailless kite or box kite—and in the process, pick up handy tips on how to best fly your new kite. And construct dozens more timeless, exciting toys! Younger children will love working with parents to create beautiful toys; older children will be eager to build toys all by themselves with a few basic tools. Even adults will want to take a stab at recreating these classic toys made from wood, cardboard, simple electronics, and other easily affordable materials! Packed with exciting activities to do individually and with family and friends, this book is a fantastic gift for children of all ages.

This practical book is a guide to making five kinetic, mechanical marvels. It combines basic mechanical principles with shaping and fitting components crafted from timbers and manufactured boards. An introduction to basic motion and mechanisms such as cams, cranks, levers and linkages to generate motion and movement in a wheeled toy is given. Useful construction and workshop techniques such as production aids for wheel-making are covered. Step-by-step instructions explain each project so that a simple push or pull action will magically bring the design to life. An essential guide to the workshop, including useful power tools for the toymaker and craftsperson. Includes: qualities, characteristics and uses of timbers and manufactured boards: painting and finishing techniques, and ideas to bring your designs to life. Superbly illustrated with 141 colour photographs.

The immensely popular blogger behind Little House Living provides a timeless and “heartwarming guide to modern homesteading” (BookPage) that will inspire you to live your life simply and frugally—perfect for fans of The Pioneer Woman and The Hands-On Home. Shortly after getting married, Merissa Alink and her husband found themselves with nothing in their pantry but a package of spaghetti and some breadcrumbs. Their life had seemingly hit rock bottom, and it was only after a touching act of charity that they were able to get back on their feet again. Inspired by this gesture of kindness as well as the beloved Little House on the Prairie books, Merissa was determined to live an entirely made-from-scratch life, and as a result, she rescued her household budget—saving thousands of dollars a year. Now, she reveals the powerful and moving lessons she’s learned after years of homesteading, homemaking, and cooking from scratch. Filled with charm, practical advice, and gorgeous full-color photographs, Merissa shares everything from tips on budgeting to natural, easy-to-make recipes for taco seasoning mix, sunscreen, lemon poppy hand scrub, furniture polish, and much more. Inviting and charming, Little House Living is the epitome of heartland warmth and prairie inspiration.

The indie world is producing extraordinary toy characters but little is known about the designers creating them or the processes used to make them. We Are Indie Toys! profiles the most interesting toymakers and reveals how they turn their unique ideas into one-of-a-kind collectibles.