A PERSONAL VIEW FROM A TOYMAKER, DESIGNER AND RETAILER
For many years I have been involved in designing and making toys for
a wide range of ages. Toys based on those made originally for my own
children, eventually became more widely available through enlightened
traditional toyshops. Attending various toyfairs, I met a host of
creative and talented individuals producing beautiful and imaginative
playthings. Acquiring a personal collection of such delights, I
became increasingly aware how few retail outlets carried such stock.
The result was a tiny shop with an eclectic mix of craft made and
also top quality toys from large scale producers around the world.
Many of whom had started by designing for their own offsprings'
pleasure and edification.
I believe that we need to foster the wonder and delight of childhood
throughout our lives. Creativity leads to a sense of fulfilment and
self worth. To be in touch with the world of imagination, leads to
empathy. To be involved in cooperative games leads to sharing,
caring and justice. To handle beautifully made toys in natural
materials, we are in touch with our physical world and gain a sense
of value. To be amused and made to laugh by involvement with a
simple plaything is a gift to treasure; shared laughter is so
therapeutic and builds community.
During the long summer holiday, a group of bored, disenchanted
teenagers entered our tiny shop and on being welcomed, ceased their
noisy bluster and became absorbed in the hows and whys of the toys
they encountered. We were all rewarded by a common interest and
shared enthusiasm, engendered by the sheer ingenuity of the toy
makers art. The revealed secrets of torsion, articulation, hoists
and pulleys, revitalised and inspired the group, who eventually left
full of plans to try out for themselves these marvels.
Over and over again visitors indicate the safe haven effect of being
surrounded by beautiful toys and touching stories exchanged about who
made what from what, for whom and for what special occasion. The
traditions of mutual contact nurtured through the sharing or making
of playthings for that special someone esle are positive and life
enhancing, both for the recipient and the creator.
There are innumerable resources to inspire the art of play, so
essential to learn about ourselves and the world about us. Not all
toys and games are commercially manufactured, as those who play
'Pooh Sticks' or throw a Sycamore seed or feather into the air are
well aware. However, the tradition of excellent toymaking continues,
aided in the UK by such organisations as the British Toymakers Guild
and the Guild of Master Craftsmen and the many old established
companies around the world who's designs fully endorse the true
meaning of a toy. Not just ephemera, but a piece in the jigsaw of
learning about how to live more joyfully and holistically.
Contributed by:
Gil Brookes
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