Finding My Passion

 

I've been thinking a lot lately about what job I would feel most challenged and passionate about.  I really love working with the kids at the Montessori school.  I like finding fun new crafts to incorporate into the afternoons what they are learning in the mornings.  I like seeing all the interesting wooden Montessori works.  I do feel like I'm lacking my hands on art for myself.  Like in college I majored in art (photography) but also minored in crafts.  I would dare to say that everyday I did something artistic or creative.  And if you ever want to test your creativity, try being in classes with 20 other creative people and try to out imagine them.  It's no small feat, and I definitely don't think I succeeded every time.  But the point was that I pushed the limits of my creativity, and kept finding more and more fun processes and techniques I loved.

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Over the Thanksgiving break I was talking to my family about how I keep thinking how awesome it would be to open a toy shop with Matt.  I would imagine and design everything, Matt would make what needed to be made out of wood, and I would do all the finishing details.  It could start as just an Etsy shop but could grow into a brick and mortar store someday.  I could blog the process, cause let's face it, I haven't been very disciplined about blogging about house renovation. I think that is in a big part to the fact I'm not really passionate about our house renovation.  I am pretty passionate about the fact I wish it were finished already.

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So Matt and I have started the brainstorming process for our future etsy shop.  My little sister, Haley suggested the name, Matelia  which is a combo of Matt and Amelia.  I'm really liking it as a strong possibility.  It's short, unique, and has meaning behind it.  Anyway, I may be blogging more about our process.  Who knows, maybe we will get the shell of the shop up and running soon.

Wood you, or woodn't you?

After having worked at a Montessori school for almost a year, I see the significance in having toys or works that are made of substantial natural materials.  Toys made of wood are much lovelier than their plastic counter parts, and also last much, much longer.  I gathered some fun wood toy ideas from around the web.

applenamos - $40

These are beautiful wood produce pieces to be used in a play kitchen.  I love the pear and the peach with their subtle color changes. 

The Enchanted Cupboard - $38

This wood wave puzzle would look cute on any shelf and is hand made by a craftsman on etsy.

This fun pull toy has a tutorial on how to make it.  Only problem is it's in another language, but it's pretty easy to guess what the few steps would be.

Bella Luna Toys - $299.95 (just the dollhouse)

This is a Waldorf doll house.  They make beautiful toys, and from natural materials but are usually on the pricier side of toys.

OohLookItsARabbit - $8.00

These hippopatmi remind me of the Waldorf style, but handmade by a person on etsy and much better prices.  They have all kinds of animals and toys to choose from.

Here is an example of snails the shop also has.

Bella Luna Toys - $269.95

This Maine Dory rocking toy is also from the Bella Luna store online.  It looks so cool and fun to play on.  I would have wanted this as a kid.

I add toys as I see them to my pinterest page.  If you are interested you could follow it and would see as new things come up.

Secret goal: Matt and I to someday start a toy store of our own, making only top-notch pieces from wood and other natural materials.