Debut
Stevenson Brothers
Carving rocking horses has been a Stevenson family tradition for over 60 years. The quality of their workmanship is unquestionable, from the selection of the best kiln-dried timber (to prevent warping) and the standard of the joinery to the hand-stitched leather tack, the real horse hair for mane and tail, and realistic eyes. The insistence on perfection is clear, as each horse comes with a lifetime guarantee. Having made over 6,000 rocking horses to date, they are collected the world over.
Christian Werner
The exclusive handcrafted work of the Erzgebirge Mannelmacher – makers of little people from the Ore Mountains – has been carefully nurtured for generations. Thanks to the workshops of Walter Werner and his three (3) sons, these century-old motifs and traditional techniques live on today, showcasing the creative preservation of their historical heritage.
Mader Tops
The Mader family business, owned and operated by Klaus and Margit Mader, was founded in 1991 in Austria. The spinning top always played a major role in their woodworking shop. What began as a hobby to fill time, with a very special “thrown top” Klaus used to play with in his homeland as a child (called a TOTZ’N), transformed into a passion that occupied a significant amount of their time, as these toys can be somewhat addictive.
Hansa Animals
Hansa is respected the world over for its finely crafted collection of our planet’s animal kingdom. Originally created for exclusive European collectors, each plush animal is meticulously handcrafted from portraits of real animals in their natural habitat. And, each animal comes with a “Toys that Teach” tag describing in detail each animal’s habitat, lifestyle, gestation period, care of their young and/or eating habits. Hansa’s goal is to help educate children and adults alike, about the natural lives of these magnificent creatures, and to understand, respect and appreciate the importance of our co-existence with all animals.
Tucher + Walther
Tucher + Walther was established in 1977 by Elisabeth Walther and Bernhard Tucher in Nurnberg, Germany, the traditional toy center of the world. Since Nurnberg had a long tradition of manufacturing tin toys, many from old factories that were no longer in production, Tucher + Walther were able to get their hands on a continuous supply of world famous traditional tin toys that could be sold to collectors. As many of the toys needed repair before their re-sale, they ultimately decided to open a small repair shop. Their business took off and the antique toys proved to be best sellers.
De Poppenstee
20 years ago, Bets van Boxel, along with her Husband Jos, decided to actively pursue her hobby of re-creating children of the world into dolls. Bets has always been fascinated by people and the stories they have to tell, simply by how they look – their emotion, their body language and overall outward appearance. She and Jos travel the world extensively, spending most of their time in places that provide a glimpse into what traditional life is truly like for natives. Today, they have set a world-class standard in doll making.
Atelier Fischer
Atelier Fischer, located at the foot of the Alps in picturesque Schwarzenburg, Switzerland, is your quintessential Swiss workshop. What started out as a simple printing business back in 1975 quickly transformed into one the world’s finest wooden puzzle-makers. Since 1980, this family–owned business has been making beautiful wooden puzzles and games for children of all ages.
Kellner Steckfiguren
Once upon a time, almost one hundred years ago, when the world was no longer so new, there was a young piano-builder named Georg Kellner who was passionate about flying. And since real airplanes were just too big to park next to the bed in the evening or to take-off right in the garden on a sunny morning, Georg Kellner built model planes. While they were smaller in size, they were able to fly like the real ones. They became so popular, the piano-builder turned into a full-time model maker.
Class Menagerie Puzzles
Bent Mountain. From its name, you’d never imagine this hamlet in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains boasts quite a zoo. But by following a winding road that meanders through hollows and down hillsides you’ll eventually arrive at an aged, sagging apple barn at the edge of an orchard. In it, you’ll discover bears, snakes, giraffes, and prehistoric beasts as well as a “seaquarium” of angelfish, bass, dolphins, whales and other denizens of the deep. Visitors can’t look forward to the entertainment of feeding time though. These creatures – great and small – are made of wood.
Werner Spielzeug
The exclusive handcrafted work of the Erzgebirge Mannelmacher – makers of little people from the Ore Mountains – has been carefully nurtured for generations. Thanks to the workshops of Walter Werner and his three (3) sons, these century-old motifs and traditional techniques live on today, showcasing the creative preservation of their historical heritage.
Sandy Vohr's Leather Zoo
Born and raised in Port Washington, New York Sandy Vohr was always a creative kid, she still remembers the drawing contest she won in elementary school with fond memories. As a self-taught leather worker, and mother of four, she’s had a passion for leather ever since she was introduced to the medium back in 1970. What started as a simple curiosity over a belt quickly became a full-fledged business of passion.
Fine Art Models
Fine Art Models was founded by Gary Kohs, a marketing consultant, as a retirement project back in 1989 with a single premise: to produce the finest scale models in the world. His philosophy was simple, a steadfast commitment to excellence. As a direct result, their models are equal to and, in most cases, exceed the standards of models found in museums today.
Maxi-Marionettes
Maxi Kiermeier has been fascinated by marionettes ever since she can remember. At only age 16, she began creating her own marionettes and giving them to family members as gifts. At that time, you could not buy the figures shown in marionette theatres, nor were they well suited for the “four walls” of one’s home. While they were lovely in their movement and perfect for theatre, upon closer inspection, their look was rather crude. Not long after meeting her husband, Maxi created a one-of-a-kind marionette for his birthday.
Oberammergau Hampelmann
In the early eighties, Karl Braun, Klaus Vogt and Markus Wagner’s interests in local history and sculpture led them to many visits of the Oberammergau Museum with its extensive collection of early works. In contrast to the ever more developed art of woodcarving, including machine made products, they were especially taken by the simplicity of these early works. Over time, experimentation with techniques, materials, tools and experience gained, as well as the popularity of these Hampelmann, as shown by the demand for them, led to the formation of a small workshop community.
Finhold Gallery
Jack and Marion Finhold have managed to capture the attention of bear lovers around the world with their collection of charming little mohair personalities. Using only the finest natural fabrics and fibers, their ability to infuse a teeny, tiny soul into each of the bears and mice they make has resulted in their worldwide recognition and demand.
Arcurio Models
During the 1930’s, automobiles in Europe were the equivalent to Sleeping Beauty compared to the booming American metropolis. New York and San Francisco began to witness the very first traffic congestion. However, many European cities could go for weeks without seeing a single automobile with an “Otto Motor.” In addition, numerous newspaper articles about American luxury cars became a sensation among readers and created an unprecedented, and unexpected, yearning.
Katrin Mueller
Katrin Mueller, one of the world’s most endearing bear makers, has been creating unique, hand-made bears for over ten years. Her signature long neck and short-legged bears are the most widely imitated and collected the world over.
Trigger Pond Cottages
Anyone will tell you, turning your childhood hobby into a full-fledged, successful business is a dream come true. James Hemsley has done just that and more. He has been building 1:24 and 1:12 scale Old English Countryside Cottages & Houses for over 15 years. As a result, his models are on display in homes throughout the world.
Ositos
Angela Schulz, born in Bad Aibling, Germany in 1974, has been making remarkable bears and other creatures for more than 8 years. It was her husband Peter who initially encouraged her to start selling her creations. Just after setting up a workshop at her local School of the Arts five years ago, she started making her bears.
Stuff'd Stuff
Judy Senk has transformed her childhood sewing skills and love of things old into wonderfully unique art. Her creative use of vintage fabrics and antique accessories has made her one of America’s most beloved bear makers.
Scott-Waters Design
Marilyn Scott-Waters, a native Californian, spent the majority of her career working for someone else. However, six years ago, she was laid off after a merger from her clothing design job -- an inspiration-crushing existence churning out high performance motorcycle apparel. She took the news in stride and decided to look at her situation as an opportunity to do something different.
Cosa
Artist-made bears from Germany
Jellycat
Established in London in 1999, Jellycat is the world's leading maker of “Lovies.”
Mbare
Mbare, Ltd. specializes in importing high quality African art made from natural and recycled materials. All of their items are uniquely created by artisans and craftspeople in Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa.
Heritage Playing Card Company
Founded in 1993, Heritage Playing Cards doesn’t produce your average playing card. All decks are elegantly illustrated by artists, with a particular eye for accuracy.
The Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company
With a slogan like “we take the 'oo' out of poo” this company clearly has a sense of humor about the incredible work they do to create sustainable paper products. Since 2002, Poopoopaper has been all over the globe creating jobs and responsibly working with end cycle raw materials in its productions.
Late for the Sky
This All-American company was begun in 1984 with a game based on the founder’s alma mater, Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The result was MIAMIOPOLY, the first Opoly of what would turn out to be an amazing company.
Alex Beard
Alex Beard is a painter and author who has emerged as one of his generation's most creative and successful artists. Through his work, Beard hopes to demystify art and share the creative experience with as many people as possible, using every tool he can find. Influenced to think creatively from a young age by his uncle, noted photographer Peter Beard.
Kencraft
Kencraft got its start in 1969 in the home of Ken and Marlene Matheson. Their handmade panoramic Easter eggs and icing decorations were an instant hit with friends and neighbors throughout northern Utah.
Moulin Roty
This French company began in 1972, when a group of friends decided to create a project that would provide them with work as well as a way of life. They decide to buy and repair an old mill where their families could live and they began production of craft items and screen-printing.
Compendium
Compendium started in 1985 from Seattle creating and distributing fresh, design-rich lines of inspiring gift products.
Dash and Albert
Founded in 2003 and based in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, the Dash and Albert Rug Company makes rugs rich in both form and function.
Lands Downunder
This New York based company has been created unique, high quality luxury products from around the world since 2001.
Potting Shed Creations
Potting Shed Creations, Ltd., founded in 1998, started out as the proverbial garage business. Their commitment to celebrating the art of gardening and design hasn’t changed. They believe that style and substance are not mutually exclusive, and it is their goal to offer products in which the finest materials, elegant design and handmade craftsmanship converge to inspire a fresh approach to gardening in the modern world.
Folkmanis
In the late 1960’s, Judy Folkmanis began sewing inventive hand puppets for her children. They became popular among other parents of the town, and a small business was formed as the requests for her work began piling up. In 1976, her husband Atis, (who had a Ph.D, to give scale to his move) abandoned his career in biochemistry to help with the business. He never looked back. They hired a few seamstresses, and the rest is history.
FLATOUTaustralia
Sarah and Prue, two sisters from Sydney, Australia started FLATOUTaustralia in 2002 because they absolutely love their soft and cuddly FLATOUTbears. Initially only in Sydney, they now export their product all over the world! Coming from a family who had always run small businesses they felt it was only natural for them to start their own. Their FLATOUTbear is made out of 100% pure Australian sheepskin and shaped like a teddy bear. This much-loved bear has been making friends all over the world thanks to the efforts of these two sisters!
