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bella luna toys

ImagiPlanks: Introducing the Infinite Playground

We regret that ImagiPlanks are no longer being manufactured and that this post is out-of-date.

I don’t think I’ve been as excited about introducing a new toy since I introduced our Waldorf Rocker Boards at Bella Luna Toys almost two years ago.

I have long been on the lookout for great Waldorf outdoor toys to add to our collection, but, like everything offered at Bella Luna Toys, they must be beautiful, all-natural, and encourage open-ended play and creativity. Further, outdoor toys should invite large-motor movement like jumping, climbing and building. The pickings have been slim.

So imagine my excitement when the inventor of a new wooden outdoor play set contacted me about partnering to offer his yet-unnamed construction set at Bella Luna Toys.

Once I saw this video of the newly-monikered ImagiPlanks in action, I knew this was a match made in heaven!

As you can see, kids can use ImagiPlanks to build an infinite variety of fun and cool structures:

• Bridges
• Tunnels
• Towers
• Forts
• Houses
• See-Saws

Made in the USA of sustainably harvested Ponderosa Pine, the 20 pieces in this set are finished with an all-natural unique blend of pure Linseed Oil, Tung Oil, Pine Rosin, Orange Oil, and Beeswax.

Best of all, ImagiPlanks can also be used indoors—a boon for those of us parents in northern climes who are facing a long winter ahead.

Oh, had only ImagiPlanks been invented when my boys were still young! Guess I’ll have to wait for grandchildren.

Tell me what you think. Are you as excited about ImagiPlanks as I am? Share your thoughts here.

November 27, 2012 by Sarah Baldwin

Childhood, Play, Sunday With Sarah, Waldorf Education

Hello from Sarah Baldwin

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November 24, 2012 by Sarah Baldwin

bella luna toys

A New Year at Bella Luna Toys

HAPPY 2012!

When I became the new owner of Bella Luna Toys in 2009, my vision was not just to operate a retail website, but also to share my experience and expertise as a teacher, mother, and author on topics such as child development, play, and parenting.

To that end, I created Moon Child in order to communicate with our customers, and to connect with parents of young children seeking a different, more natural way of raising their children.

I envisioned the toy store as a small home-based business, and a way to bring in some income to help support the work I am passionate about – writing and sharing my love of Waldorf education.

Everything was going nicely, all according to plan. For about a year.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Thanks to the support of so many of you, Bella Luna Toys grew. And Grew. And GREW!

By early 2011, it was clear that we had outgrown the confines of the small barn next to my home here in Maine from which I was operating, and, even with my family’s help, I found myself trying to do at least three full-time jobs.

It was exciting seeing the business grow, but writing began to take a backseat to the day-to-day operation of Bella Luna Toys. By the spring I knew that it was time to make some big decisions.

Last April, Bella Luna Toys moved out of our cozy little barn at home and into a real warehouse in the nearby coastal town of Rockland, Maine (recently voted one of America’s coolest small towns), where we can walk to Main St. for lunch, and feel the ocean breeze.

Here, we have a spacious shipping area, I have my own office, and we and lots of room to grow. My husband Max, a writer, is very happy to have his home office back to himself where he can again compose his thoughts in peace, and not find himself covered with packing peanuts at the end of the day!

I also realized I needed more help. During the course of the past year, I hired my three “Shipping Fairies” – Liz, Jessie, and Sarah – all of whom did an AMAZING job keeping up with an extraordinary number of Christmas orders last month.

Now Sarah Reilly has become my full-time, Right-Hand Angel (some might call her a “manager”), in order to free up my time to the things that I love most: writing for the blog, discovering unique new natural toys for children, promoting the importance of play, and sharing my love of Waldorf education. (We hope that two Sarah’s won’t be too confusing for our customers.)

So my resolution for the New Year is to post more frequently, and to engage more fully with all of you.

In addition, we have some pretty big plans for Bella Luna Toys in 2012, which marks the 10th birthday of the company! We will have more giveaways, and some very special announcements during our 10th anniversary year. If you’re not subscribed already, be sure sign up for our newsletter so that you’re among the first to hear!

Thanks to those of you who have been a part of Bella Luna Toys’ growth this past year. We are filled with gratitude for your support and many kind words. We wouldn’t be here without you.

Wishing you and your families many blessings in 2012!

Warmly,