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