“When you know, you know.” This rather vague statement is thrown around a lot, but when talking about Ostheimer Wooden Toys, it rings very loud and clear. Because as soon as you learn how special these handmade toys are, you really know, and once you do, it’s nearly impossible to not want to collect them all.
When you first take hold of an Ostheimer, whether it is a magical unicorn or the regal St. Martin’s horse, each figure has a timeless feel accentuated by the hand-painted details and the wood grain that peeks through. It is this one-of-a-kind quality that sets these toys apart and makes them such beloved collectibles to pass down for years of play and display, while offering endless opportunities for open-ended play.
Ostheimer toys are designed to be cherished for generations, creating a sense of continuity and connection across the years. They are not just toys; they are pieces of art that hold sentimental value and foster family traditions.
The Story Behind Ostheimer
Ostheimer has been a beloved name in the world of wooden toys for over 80 years. Founded in Germany, the company remains committed to the vision of its founders: to create toys that reflect the beauty of nature and encourage imaginative play. Each Ostheimer piece is hand carved from sustainably sourced wood, lovingly painted with non-toxic, plant-based dyes, and finished with natural oils. According to Ostheimer, “All of our toys are made by people for people in many steps. They are produced in batches of 100 pieces each, and the two artistic activities - crafting the shapes and painting - are done freehanded.”
This freehanded process involves careful carving, sanding, and painting, resulting in toys that are not only durable but also exquisite in their detail. The natural grain of the wood is often visible, highlighting the beauty of the material and the skill of the craftspeople. It is this singular dedication to quality and craftsmanship which ensures that every toy is unique, long-lasting, and safe.
How to Start an Ostheimer Collection
With so many beautiful and bespoke choices, how do you even begin to start a collection? The beauty of collecting Ostheimer parallels the process of making these toys, slow and steady. Growing your collection seasonally, thematically, and based on your children’s interests, is the key. Perhaps you add a figure each holiday and birthday, as well as to celebrate a special milestone, and before you know it, you will have an Ostheimer collection started!
Follow your children’s passions to guide you in your choices or connect the figures to the season as you choose, for example the squirrel as a back to school fall gift or add St. Martin when they celebrate their first Martinmas Day. And as each figure incorporates its way into play, you’ll notice how each one has it’s very unique and endearing expression and “lively effect” which is a direct result of the skilled artisans that lovingly create each figure.
As your collection grows, part of the fun is watching as your children weave each new figure into their open-ended play to create stories and scenarios. Within minutes of adding a new figure, it can become a hero in an epic adventure, a gentle friend in a quiet moment, or a key player in a bustling community.
A Gift that Keeps Giving
As your family embraces these beautiful figures, you can feel good about supporting a company that cares so much about preserving nature while continuing to create hand-crafted toys in a world filled with machine-made toys. Not to mention that the natural materials and earthy colors of Ostheimer toys help children connect with the natural world themselves. The tactile experience of holding a smooth wooden figure, the organic shapes, and the gentle, hand painted colors all contribute to a sensory-rich play experience that is grounding and nurturing.
Because in the end, as Ostheimer clearly states, “we believe that children deserve someone who is ready to make beautiful, lovable toys out of pure conviction - and by hand. Because children (and not only them) sense the impulses that are put into a toy: during the design, but also through all the steps of production.” And it is this impulse of love and joy that we love to celebrate at Bella Luna Toys and why we cherish Ostheimer wooden toys so deeply.
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