I am delighted that six new items from Bella Luna Toys‘ collection of natural toys were chosen by the editors at Mothering magazine as among the Best Natural Toys of 2010 featured in the new November/December issue!
Which items, you ask? Well, here they are!
Waldorf Birthday Crowns
These gorgeous Waldorf birthday crowns are handmade in Maine by my friend and former classroom assistant, Jes Anthonis. Jes is a mama and crafter who is starting her own Waldorf childcare program at home. Available in petal pink or green, for ages 1 to 6. Aren’t they sweet?
Fairy Dress from Sarah’s Silks
New from Sarah’s Silks, a magical Fairy Dress with rainbow wings that attach to the wrists with elastic bands.
Wool Felt Crown Set
I adore this cheery, Wool Felt Crown Set set made of thick New Zealand wool with matching cuffs. It’s Fair Trade made in Nepal, and was one of my favorite finds this year!
Fairy Garland Set
This charming Fairy Garland Set features a garland of felted vines that ties around the head, with a 100% silk veil. Can be worn as a headpiece or cape. I just love the little hanging felted bumblebees, don’t you?
Big Drum from Plan Toys
I’ve been wanting to add more kids musical instruments at Bella Luna Toys. Here are the two newest additions, which will help to develop a child’s eye-hand coordination and sense of rhythm.
The Big Drum is our first addition from Plan Toys, a line of wonderful eco-friendly wooden toys, from which we’ll be adding many more new products in the coming weeks.
Tambourine from Plan Toys
…and the colorful Tambourine from Plan Toys. (Love the Bella Luna blue with moon and stars!)
Hope you’ll agree with the Mothering editors that these are among the best!
What are your favorite natural toys of 2010? Have you seen any wonderful wooden toys or Waldorf toys that you think should be added to Bella Luna’s collection of natural toys? Share your ideas here and win a $5 gift certificate to Bella Luna Toys if your suggestion is added!
10 Comments
Dear Sarah,
One of the things that is just wonderful to play with and very versatile are the wooden rocking boards that one can so far only buy at the Camphill Initiative in New York. I am sure you know which ones I mean, they are curved boards which are laminated together and can be used as a rocker, as a bridge or just to jump of from or slide across, …one of the favorite activities of our son. 🙂
It would be great if you could somehow put them into your store, as lots of people ask me where to buy them but it requires a lot of work to actually contact the woodworker and order them.
Warmly,
Maggie
Great suggestion, Maggie. I would LOVE to offer rocker boards, which have become a fixture in Waldorf kindergartens, and coveted assets of Waldorf early childhood teachers.
I have talked to a couple of makers about the possibility. The problem is that the originator of the rocker board can’t produce them in volume to meet the demand, and because of their size, shape and width, they are extremely expensive to ship.
I just discovered a local woodworker and boat builder here in my neck of the woods of Maine who is making them. I will be seeing him this weekend to discuss further possibilities.
I wonder how much customers would be willing to pay for shipping. The boards themselves would cost about $75 each.
Sarah,
Hi! I would definitely be interested in one of the rocker boards made in Maine. I’m in Massachusetts, and would be willing to drive up to get one if it isn’t too far (<3 hr one way).
Thanks!
:)melissa
Feel free to give me a call, Melissa. I have Waldorf Rockerboards now! I haven’t had time yet to calculate shipping charges or add them to the site, but I can definitely help.
Fantastic, and thank you for letting me know! I’ll be attending The Waldorf School of Lexington’s Holiday Faire this Sat., and I am hoping there will be a craftsman there with them, or willing to make them. If not (and I’m not too hopeful, as there hasn’t been anyone selling them the past two years), I’ll be giving you a call first thing on Monday :).
Thank you!
:)melissa
Good news! Wooden Waldorf Rocker Boards are now available through Bella Luna Toys!
Hello! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving your sweet comment (ssmast.blogspot.com). I do love your store and put it as one of the long-lasting favorites! The items I think are so neat are ones that are SO hard to find at any store, perhaps they go on a demand basis where then the manufacturer only makes them as orders come in?
I had searched for a long time for the HABA Cash register and found it on your site at one time (perhaps awhile ago?) and when I came back to buy it (much later, we do have to save up for quality toys or wait til birthdays/Christmas) it was gone! Nuts.
The other item that I think is so neat is for a baby lying on the floor. It is a wooden ‘rack’ that has hanging wooden toys/items from it, that they can explore (the baby lies on the floor on their backs and looks/plays with it). I’ve only ever seen a picture of it, though if I remember correctly it was a HABA item as well. I hope I explained that correctly!
Just a thought, of course, as I love yoru store as is, and wouldn’t mind a gift certificate 🙂 !!
Sarah M
PS- I am also a Mothering subscriber and LOVE their special toy edition every year!
Sorry to take so long to respond, Sarah! Holiday shipping madness here right now!
Sadly, Haba no longer makes the wooden cash register. I’ve been searching for one from another maker to replace it.
And gift certificates *are* available from Bella Luna Toys! They can be ordered from a link that appears at the top of every page.
So, so, happy for you! I love the toys that made it in the magazine.
Thanks, Nicole!