Down To Earth Toys

Kite Kits!

2011-04-26T11:14:00.012-04:00

We've been keeping it a secret, but they are finally here! Our paper kite making kits are guaranteed to provide an afternoon filled with fun!

Our son and his cousins were fortunate enough to test them out over the weekend.

First, decorate your kite. You can use markers, crayons, paint, stickers, glitter or whatever you'd like. The more colorful the better.

Next, trim your kite. Our kid's scissors are just the perfect size for this activity.

Attach your string and get ready to take it outside for its maiden flight! You will be amazed at how easy it is for kids 5 and up to get this kite into the air. I had 3 kids that I thought would need help, but none of them did. I had the opportunity to just sit back, take pictures, and smile.

My son's only advice after the entire process....listen to your Mama when she tells you to keep it away from the trees!

You will only find this kit at Down To Earth Toys!

Last minute Easter Basket ideas

2011-04-17T09:56:00.008-04:00

There is still time to pick up a few items for your child's Easter basket.

Just in time for Spring, your child will love our new 21 inch Pastel Playsilks. These make a great replacement for plastic Easter grass.

Don't forget the bunnies! Our Felt Chocolate Easter Bunny will bring a smile, and our Organic Cotton Bunny will instantly get a big hug.

Don't forget about our Toys under $20 category. You are guaranteed to find something wonderful!

Today only...Use code "Bunny" at checkout and receieve a free upgrade to Priority Shipping (select Priority option and $3 will be deducted from your total). Valid through Midnight EST 4/17/11.

Natural Easter Basket Ideas

2011-03-29T17:34:00.010-04:00

Looking for alternatives to plastic grass and candy this year? Here are some great ideas for creating a memorable Easter Basket for the child in your life.

Playsilks make the best substitute for that messy plastic grass. Place one in the bottom of the basket to add a bright splash of color and a warm texture. Starting at $3.95, our playsilks come in the following sizes:

Each one of our colorful playsilks is hand sewn and hand-dyed in the USA. Use code "eastersilk" at checkout to receive 10% off your playsilks, now through 4/10/11.

Wooden Eggs won't ever spoil! After Easter ends, children love to incorporate these in their imaginative playtime.

For the young musician in your family, consider our always popular Wooden Egg Shakers. They are handmade and Fair Trade Certified from Bali.

Lastly, don't forget about Arts and Crafts Supplies! Customer favorites, that will fit nicely into a small basket include Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay and Soy Crayon Rocks (don't they look like jellybeans?).

Art Products Stockmar-Lyra-Mercurius

2011-03-26T22:03:00.003-04:00

We are so happy to share with you our extended art supply product line. We have gotten a lot of requests for more Stockmar, Lyra and Mercurius art supplies, so here they are!

Our improved selection now includes:

We love to see your children's artwork. Feel free to post your pictures on our Facebook page!

New Toys from Gluckskafer

2011-03-23T16:49:00.005-04:00

New kitchen and beach/garden tools are here from Europe. So cute!

Aluminum plates, cups and saucers will be the talk of any tea party. Also, they will love our new Little Spoon and Bowl Set. Pefect for feeding dolly or baby. You will find plenty of other Natural Toys and Organic Toys in our shop.

We know a lot of you have been waiting for our Gard en and Beach Tool Set to come back. It's here just in time for some Spring digging!

Palmer's Playhouse Review

2011-03-23T15:31:00.010-04:00

Yesterday, my son was saying "Mommy, I need you to get a box from the basement so that I can make another puppet show." Literally, within moments, we heard a knock at the door. It was FedEx with a box. Our Palmer's Playhouse had arrived!

It arrived in a box that had the instructions clearly displayed on the outside. The box also serves as a storage space for the Palmer's Playhouse when it's not in use.

The cardboard house was really easy to set up. The box says that it can be set up in under 2 minutes, which is quite accurate. After my son supervised my work, he ran around it to explore all of its features. He loved the fact that it had so many windows, a chimney and 2 doors!

The playhouse measures 58 inches tall by 30 inches wide and folds up to store inside of a 30"x 43"x 2.5" box.

This playhouse is a child's dream come true. Lots of imaginative playtime has already occured inside of ours.

It was a quick scramble around the house to find furniture and other items that would fit inside of his new residence. He managed to find some furnishings (including the rug that usually lives in our foyer....it fit perfectly inside, and now he has carpeting).

We were really excited to have the opportunity to add the Palmer's Playhouse to our ever expanding selection of American Made Toys. Once we found out that these were designed and made in Michigan, our home state, we just had to share them with our customers.

As I type, my son has markers and stickers out, and is working on his new home's decor. This toy is a huge hit!

New Wooden Pretend Play Toys

2011-03-22T11:43:00.009-04:00

As we add to our selection of toys for older children, we are including more imaginative toys. Wooden toys are unique in that they have such a great feel and radiate warmth. Children will long remember the wooden toys that they played with when they were young. Our new additions won't be ones that they forget about any time soon.

Our Wooden Ba lance Scale provides opportunities for learning during play time. Your child will have fun discovering how many weights equal their favorite small toy.

A Tabletop Ironing Board is a toy that can be easily moved from place to place. Durable and easy to manipulate, this is a great toy for children ages 2 and above.

Our Art Box is the perfect companion for any kid on the go. It has a both dry erase and chalkboard surfaces to draw on. Inside is a storage area for chalk, markers, crayons or anything they might want to carry along with them.

Don't forget to keep an eye on our New Arrivals page as we will be adding lots of new things this Spring!

Our First Spring Arrivals

2011-03-22T11:37:00.000-04:00

New toys are being added to our shelves for Spring. We have added items from several new toymakers. Here is a peek at our new wooden puzzles....Made in USA!


Energy Puzzle

Wooden Mandala Mosaic Puzzle


Peace Puzzle

Loyalty Point Giveaway!

2011-01-18T12:19:00.002-05:00

We want to enhance your shopping experience. We also want your feedback so that we know which of our toys you love the most. Down To Earth Toys will now feature Product Reviews!

Now through January 31st, review one of our toys and receive free loyalty points* (see rules below)! For every toy you review, we will add 50 bonus loyalty points to your account. What does that mean? For every 3 toys you submit reviews for, you will recieve a total of $6 toward your next purchase. Basically, that is FREE SHIPPING!

Want more free loyalty points? Submit a photo of our toys in action. For every photo we use on our website, you will receive 100 free points! See details below**.

*Rules for submitting reviews to earn loyalty points:

You can review as many toys as you like, as long as you purchased them from Down To Earth Toys.
You must have an active customer account. If you need help logging in, please contact us .
You must submit your name along with each review. We will NEVER publish your name, but need this information in order to credit loyalty points to your account.
Your loyalty point balance must reach 150 points before an automatic gift certificate for $6 will be issued and emailed to you.
This promotion ends at Midnight EST on January 31, 2011.
To view our standard Loyalty Point policy click here.

**Photo submission rules:

Photo must be of a toy that you purchased from Down To Earth Toys.
You must have an active customer account. If you need help accessing your account, or need help setting one up, please contact us.
For every photo submitted that we use on our website, your account will be credited 100 loyalty points.
Submit your photos to photos [at] downtoearthtoys dot com
Photos must be submitted before Midnight EST on January 31, 2011.

Homemade Playdough

2010-08-01T17:30:00.004-04:00

For those of you who get great satisfaction out of making your child's playthings, I am sharing my son's favorite homemade playdough recipe. We just made a batch up this afternoon, and it has already gotten a ton of use. If you don't have time to make your own, another option is Mary's Softdough....one of the year round favorite items in our shop. It retails for $9.95 per tub.

Here is the recipe that is always a fun make on a rainy day:

Down To Earth Dough

-------------------------

1 cup All Purpose Flour

1/2 cup Iodized Salt

1 cup Water

1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

2 tsp Cream of Tartar

Food coloring

Essential oils if desired

-Combine all ingredients (except food coloring and oils) in a pan and cook over low heat, stirring with wooden spoon, until ball forms.

-Remove dough and break into sections (however many colors you want). If using essential oils, first knead in 5 or so drops before adding food coloring.

-Make sure to wear rubber gloves for this step. Make a small depression in each dough ball and drop a few drops of food coloring. Knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed through the dough.

-Your dough is ready to be played with!

(This is why it's a good idea to wear rubber gloves.)

CPSIA and Small Businesses

2009-05-17T16:49:00.004-04:00

Suzi Lang, owner of Starbright Baby (one of our toymakers), was very brave and took part, last week, in Congress's CPSIA review. Thank you Suzi!

Down To Earth Toys receives Small Business Administration award

2009-03-14T15:51:00.001-04:00

The Citizen News
Down to Earth Toys, lands state business award
Local named, 'Home based business champion of the year for the State of Michigan' by Susan Bromley

March 11, 2009 - Brandon Twp.- Carrin Weirauch is a ray of hope for wannabe entrepreneurs in a dark economy.

The owner of Down to Earth Toys has been named "Home-based business champion of the year for the State of Michigan" by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is finding tremendous success a little more than a year after opening her business specializing in American-made, eco-friendly toys.

"Even being nominated was a shock," said Weirauch. "I'm such a new company. I feel like it was too easy. Everything has fallen together and come really naturally. I feel really good because I know this is one more thing to give me credibility with customers."

Weirauch began her business, found online at www.downtoearthtoys.com, in November 2007. She was motivated by a desire to stay home with her son, now 3, and by the need for safe toys, as well as ones that keep jobs in the United States.

Down to Earth Toys focuses on wooden, natural, and educational toys. The majority of products sold by Down to Earth Toys, 90 percent, are American-made. The rest are from Europe or fair-trade sources. Most toys are handmade and none are mass-produced or from sweatshops. Weirauch carefully shops for these toys, most of which come from other small home-based toy manufacturers and then retails them on her website. She began the business as a way to have a career that would allow her to stay home with her 1-year-old son and was inspired by a need for safe toys, as well as ones that keep jobs in the United States.

Weirauch keeps an inventory of about 250 different toys, none electronic or battery-operated, requiring children to use their imagination more. In the past year, she has doubled her sales and believes part of her success is more people moving toward non-Chinese toys.

"I think people are craving a more old-fashioned mindset," she adds. "They're tired of throwing broken plastic toys in the garbage."

Weirauch's goal is to make enough money at her business to send her son to private school and to support the family enough to allow them to move to the Upper Peninsula.

"I have a very understanding husband," continued Weirauch. "Time management and bookkeeping are my biggest challenges. At the end of the day, if my husband and son are happy and my customers are happy, I did a good job."

For those thinking of starting their own home-based business, Weirauch advises doing the homework on it, and getting a government funded Small Business Administration counselor to help with a business plan.

"Research demographics and the market and try to do as much as you can yourself to save money," said Weirauch. "Realize you won't make a profit right away, but you have to persevere and be forward thinking. This is a good time to start your own business, because a lot of people have been laid off and can use the time to start."

As for Weirauch, with the success she is currently experiencing, she wonders how much better it would be if the economy was good. She expects business to double again by next Christmas.

"Don't be discouraged by the economy, it's going to get better," she said.

Amber Teething Necklaces

2009-03-11T16:11:00.004-04:00

Amber Teething Necklaces are a favorite among parents with teething children. Among other things, amber is a natural analgesic (pain reliever) and anti-inflammatory. When amber is worn on the skin, the warmth of the skin releases trace amounts of healing oils on the skin.

Commonly known as "teething jewelry," baltic amber has been a natural and traditional European remedy for teething discomfort for hundreds of years.

The string the amber is strung on is designed to stretch when a good amount of pressure is applied, and break if necessary. Each piece of amber is individually double knotted on the strand. The necklace fastens with a screw clasp.

To care for your baltic amber, clean with lukewarm water and a soft cloth. Avoid detergents and cleansers when possible as these substances over time will leave a residue on the amber that inhibits it's ability to release its healing properties into the skin. It is best to remove the jewelry at bath time, or when at the pool.

Our new necklace collection is Made in USA by Inspired by Finn.

We've Been Busy!

2008-10-18T15:07:00.010-04:00

Wow...Christmas is sneaking up on us fast, but we have been busy searching for really great new items to add to our catalog. We know you will love them as much as we do (I'm sure our 2 1/2 year old would be willing to battle you for some of these goodies).

New Wooden Toys include a really cool Camera, Toy Bath Tub Boat, Ironing Board and more.

Our Natural Toys section is growing every day. We are thrilled to offer such a selection of wooden and natural fibered items for your little ones!

My project for this week

2008-09-01T13:06:00.004-04:00

Keeping a preschooler entertained can be a challenge. I am going to take on fun little project to create some fun for our little guy. Yes, I will post pictures once I get started (keep your fingers crossed for me that this doesn't get too messy!). But for now, here is my project goal for this week:

Bathtub Fingerpaint

2/3 cup clear bath gel
2 tablespoons cornstarch
food coloring
small containers with lids Instructions

Mix together the clear bath gel & cornstarch.
Put equal amounts of the mixture in individual containers & add a different color of food coloring to each container (I'm thinking baby food jars here).
Mix each container thoroughly to remove any lumps & blend.

New Natural Toys Category

2008-08-31T12:27:00.005-04:00

Do you find yourself wandering aimlessly around the internet trying to find toys that are unstained, not painted and not made with any synthetic materials? Well, to make your search easier, we have added a new category to the Down To Earth Toys catalog....Natural Toys. Here you will find wooden toys and natural fibered toys that contain nothing artificial. Just another great benefit of these toys (and this is the best part, in our minds)...most of them are made here in the USA!

More cool things for the store

2008-07-01T16:53:00.007-04:00

Rainbows seem to be the theme for the week. If you haven't checked out our "new arrivals" page, you may want to take a peek. We have had several new items come through our front door, but I am partial to 2 of them in particular.

Our new Rainbow Ring Stacker provides a great opportunity for your youngster learn the finer art of stacking, sorting, counting and color recognition. A great all around educational toy, and fun to look at too! Made in the USA.

Has your baby or toddler ever dropped their toy or pacifier on a dirty, public floor and been heart broken when you had to take it away? Well, we say no more! This wonderful Wooden Pacifier & Toy Chain will keep those toys and binkies off the floor and in your child's hands. The beads come from Germany and the chain is assembled in the USA.

When life hands you berries.....

2008-07-01T16:43:00.006-04:00

Make Jam!

And boy, is that what we have been up to the last 2 days! Yesterday brought a cool, rainy morning...but that didn't hamper our mission to pick strawberries at a local farm. We had a great time, and we really felt the fruit (ahem) of our labors.

This was my first personal attempt at canning anything. Thanks to our friend Courtenay, for her guidance and prolonged patience, we now have 6 pints of fresh strawberry jam in our pantry!

All of that work, plus a remaining 10 lbs. of berries for making smoothies! If I see one more strawberry, it will be too soon! Just kidding!

Yummy Homemade Fig Newtons

2008-06-16T16:57:00.004-04:00

After grabbing a quick snack on the way to the zoo the other day (Fig Newtons), my son developed a new addiction. He loved them, and kept asking for them all day. I cringed when I saw that the number 2 ingredient was none other than High Fructose Corn Syrup. How could I feel good about giving these to my son? So, last night I scoured the internet in search of a recipe. I just finished a batch of the homemade newtons, and my son LOVED them! He even asked for a second one! Yay!

So, I will share the recipe with you (this is a combination of several different recipes I found during my search last night). I will put pictures up as soon as I find the digital camera....it's around here somewhere!

Homemade Fig Newtons

You can use fresh or dried figs for this recipe. I wish I had found fresh ones, but had to settle for dried for my first attempt. Recipe makes about 2 dozen.

Make the pastry first and the put in the fridge while you work on the fig "jam".

Pastry Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room-temperature

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room-temperature

Cinnamon sugar (optional)

Jam Ingredients:

1 lb dried figs or 2 lbs fresh figs

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup water (1/2 cup for fresh figs)

1/2 tsp Allspice

To make the pastry: In a small bowl, mix together flour and salt. In a large bowl, blend together cream cheese and butter until well combined. Add flour mixture and blend until you have a sticky dough (and boy is it sticky!). Turn onto a sheet large sheet of plastic wrap, cover and flatten a bit. Chill in refrigerator while you make jam.

To make Jam: Wash (if fresh) and roughly chop figs. Soak figs in a medium saucepan with the water (see above for correct amount) for one hour. Add sugar and allspice to pan and cook over medium-high heat until bubbling and sugar has dissolved. Reduce to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes, until it has reduced by about one-third and is beginning to gel. Let mixture cool for 5 minutes and then blend in food processor.

Preparing Pastry: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove pastry from refrigerator and cut into 4 equal sized pieces. Roll out on a well floured surface into 6x12 inch rectangles. Place on a cookie sheet and spread 1/4 of the jam on one half of the pastry, in a long narrow strip. (You will need 2 cookie sheets, and have 2 pastries on each one). Make sure to leave about a 1/2 inch border along the edges. Fold the pastry over on itself to cover the filling. Use a pizza cutter to trim off extra edges (but still make sure that filling does not come to the edge of the pastry or it will ooze out when you cook it). Use a fork to press the edges of the pastry together on 3 sides, use a knife to put 4-5 slices in the top of the pastry so steam can escape. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until pastry is just beginning to turn brown.

Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes, and then gently transfer to a wire rack. Let the newtons cool for about 20-30 minutes before slicing length-wise. It's important to let them cool before slicing, or the filling will ooze out. Don't let them cool too long though, or the pastry will become too flaky and be difficult to slice. I used a pizza cutter, again, to cut mine into 2 inch pieces.

Figs are such a great fruit. They are high in Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin B6 and Copper. Also they are high in dietary fiber! You will really feel satisfaction out of making these and giving them to your little buddy (or eating them yourself).

Keep your kids mosquito free this summer!

2008-04-25T08:42:00.002-04:00

I don't know about you, but I've noticed the mosquitos starting to peek their ugly little probosci around our yard. I have tried a lot of different natural sprays and lotions, but have found this simple recipe to work the best. Make sure to store it in a dark/amber colored glass or plastic container after you mix it, as the sunlight breaks down the oil's properties and will lessen the effectiveness.

20 drops Eucalyptus oil
20 drops Cedarwood oil
10 drops Tea Tree oil
10 drops Geranium oil
2 oz. carrier oil ( such as Jojoba or Olive Oil )

Mix together in a 4 oz. container. Apply to skin as needed avoiding the eye area. Keep out of reach of children. Test on a small area of skin for sensitivities . Experiment with different percentages of essential oil.

Celebrate Earth Day with Down To Earth Toys

2008-04-18T21:58:00.001-04:00

In honor of Earth Day, we will be donating 5% of our sales to the Children & Nature Network. We want to thank you for caring about our planet and children as well by sharing 5% off your entire order.

Shop with us between April 21st and 25th and save! Make sure to check out our great and constantly growing selection of Toys Made in the USA!

You're looking at the newest Co-Op America member

2008-04-16T11:12:00.001-04:00

I'm so thrilled....after months of application process, Down To Earth Toys has been accepted as a business member of Co-Op America!

If you aren't familiar with them, here is a little more information from their website:

""Co-op America is a not-for-profit membership organization founded in 1982.

Our mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

Our Vision

We work for a world where all people have enough, where all communities are healthy and safe, and where the bounty of the Earth is preserved for all the generations to come.

What Makes Co-op America Unique

-We focus on economic strategies—economic action to solve social and environmental problems.
-We mobilize people in their economic roles—as consumers, investors, workers, business leaders.
-We empower people to take personal and collective action
-We work on issues of social justice and environmental responsibility. We see these issues as completely linked in the quest for a sustainable world. It’s what we mean when we say “green.”
-We work to stop abusive practices and to create healthy, just and sustainable practices. ""

Happy Spring Day!

2008-04-07T12:39:00.000-04:00

As Spring is unfolding all around the country (woohoo...it's 71 degrees here today in Michigan!), I just wanted to share this little bit of sunshine with you. My son has recently introduced me to the wonders of Youtube. I know...where have I been? But, this is one of our favorite videos to watch together. If you are as entranced by Elizabeth Mitchell as my son and I are, you might want to pick up our favorite albums: You are my Little Bird. Rumor has it that a new album is in the works!

You will adore our Felt Food!

2008-03-20T13:31:00.002-04:00

After much searching and seeking, we have fallen in love with our new Felt Food. These wonderful creations are hand sewn in Michigan by a local business woman and her Amish helpers.

Take a look at our new Play Food page. We know your child have a great time adding these to their pretend play and tea party time!

Add Natural Toys to your Child's Easter Basket!

2008-03-13T22:09:00.002-04:00

Looking for that perfect last minute item for your favorite child's Easter Basket? Look no further than our Easter Basket-Under $20 category. Here you will find wooden eggs for decorating, musical instruments, arts and crafts items, puzzles, baby toys and more!

As the snow begins to melt here in Michigan, we look forward to our new Spring items that will begin to be dropped off at our doorstep. With April right around the corner, we too look forward to a little envelope from Uncle Sam!

Consider shopping with us in the next few weeks, and discovering our vast selection of Toys Made in USA. We feel that supporting American Toymakers is a great way to stimulate the country's economy. Afterall, that was what Bush had in mind when he decided to send us those oh so much appreciated rebate checks!

New Wooden Baby Toys!

2008-02-20T12:48:00.000-05:00

I know, I get REALLY excited every time we get a new product for the store. Our latest additions have me jumping up and down! We are proud to introduce our new line of wooden rattles from a small home based business in the Pacific Northwest.

Babies will hold onto wooden rattles for a long time without dropping them. Beautifully made from hardwood in attractive colors, they make a pleasant earthy sound and are easy for tiny ones to grasp. Take a look at our new Abacus Rattle thats easy to grip rattle with lots of color, Three Ring Rattle with colorful rings that shake back and forth making a pleasant sound, Wooden Floor Toy, and Bead Bell Rattle that includes 10 colorful beads.

Recommended for 4 to 18 months (but we know your child will play with them longer than that, because they are just that cool). Handmade with alder wood and finished with non-toxic paint.

Unplug Your Kids!

2008-02-10T12:37:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to take a minute to do a little plug for one of our favorite blogs.

Sarah is devoted to helping parents with their mission in simplifying their child's lives by promoting low-tech lifestyles. This is a great resource for homeschoolers and schooling parents alike. They also have weekly project suggestions and weekly toy reviews.

http://www.unplugyourkids.com

Unplug Your Kids is being added to our list of sister sites, please visit her blog regularly for lots of great information and tips!

Let it Snow!

2008-02-06T18:33:00.000-05:00

We have had several Winter Storm Warnings this week. They all seemed to be false alarms. Finally, today it is snowing....and big time! I think tomorrow may be a snow day locally, so we will have a fun day outside!

My husband is home from work for a few days, so we are enjoying being home together and playing with our son and dogs.

Time spent inside has been dedicated to looking for new and exciting items to add to the Down To Earth Toys catalog. We have established new relationships with several manufacturers, and can't wait to show you what we've found.

Keep an eye on our new items section of our website. We'll be adding to it shortly!

Also, we know that Valentine's Day is right around the corner. We have several small gifts for the love of your life. We are also in the process of getting our hands on some super cute Easter items as well for your child's basket.

Please remember keep the families who have been struck by the storms this week in your hearts.

Stay warm and safe!
Carrin

Cabin Fever got you down?

2008-02-03T17:30:00.001-05:00

With so much cold and snowy weather around the country, what do you do to keep your kids entertained?

Here at our home, we've been doing a lot of dancing and singing! And I mean A LOT! You'd think I would be in much better shape than I am!

One of our favorite CD's is You are my Little Bird by Elizabeth Mitchell. We love it so much, that it was the first album we just had to have in our store.

This album is a must have for any family who enjoys wonderful children's music as much as we do!

Fun soon follows whenever we break out our Coconut Clave Rhythm Sticks! Our 22 month old son really gets down when he has these in hand. They are just the right size and produce such a warm and rich sound when knocked together.

Pronounced "klah-vey", they are made in Indonesia from retired Coconut Trees.

You have all heard of our dog who loves to eat various wooden toy items....Well, we are making sure to keep the sticks well out of her reach!

Down To Earth Toys also has a lot of other great ideas for indoor activities. Take a look at our People of the World Felting Kit, Wooden Partner Game or World Playground Activity Kit from Putumayo Kids.

Cool, New Puzzles

2008-01-13T12:05:00.000-05:00

Go to google.com and type in "Wooden Puzzles Made in USA", and who shows up? Mydaddypuzzles.com. We are so excited to be adding these meticulously handcrafted puzzles to our catalog. The family who makes them lives in Alexandria, Virginia. They began their business after making puzzles for their son.

Mydaddypuzzles are made from South Carolina Poplar, and stained or painted with finishes made in America (completely non-toxic).

With each puzzle, you have the choice of "Fun" Colors, Natural Stain or colors Natural to each animal.

Our first addition is Annie the Alligator! We know you will love her as much as we do!

Down To Earth in the News~January

2008-01-05T13:52:00.000-05:00

The Citizen

Toy story: Down to Earth Toys

Carrin Weirauch of Down to Earth Toys.

By Susan Bromley.

January 02, 2008 - Brandon Twp.- Carrin Weirauch is promoting a back to basics approach with her new business, Down to Earth Toys.

The online store, Down To Earth Toys, features wooden, natural, and educational toys and went live in November. The store opens at a time when toy recalls are rampant because of lead paint found in toys made in China. The majority of products sold by Down to Earth Toys, 90 percent, are American-made. The rest are from Europe or fair-trade sources.

"They are not mass-produced or from sweatshops," Weirauch said. "Most of the toys are handmade and the Fair Trade Federation certifies the workers get a fair wage and the hours they work are regulated."

Weirauch begun the website as a way to have a career that would allow her to stay home with her 1-year-old son and was inspired by a need for safe toys, as well as ones that keep jobs in the United States.

"My husband is in the automotive industry and we've seen what outsourcing has done, as well as toy recalls," she said. "Those two things made me realize there was a need for a place where people could go and feel good about toys and feel safe knowing they won't be recalled or be a reason for outsourcing."

Weirauch has assembled a collection of more than 150 different products for children from newborn to 12-years-old that includes baby rattles, teething toys, push and pull toys for toddlers, musical instruments, puzzles, dolls, furniture, arts and crafts supplies, and organic, natural fiber soft toys. There is nothing in the collection that is battery-powered or electronic."

Studies have found that toys that require children to use their imagination are better for them developmentally and intellectually," said Weirauch. "It's all about fostering their imagination and creativity. These are heirloom quality toys that can be passed down and not wind up in a landfill."

Weirauch has had a good response to Down to Earth Toys, and she plans to add items to the website on a regular basis and will offer toy shows locally.

Amish Made Tricycles!

2008-01-02T13:03:00.002-05:00

Check out our newest addition! Off road tricycle. These tricylcles are weld constructed in the USA by an Amish gentleman and his sons. Guaranteed to withstand tons of use! We have them available in blue, red, green or pink. We will also be adding trailers which can be connected to the trikes....your little one will love hauling around all kinds of stuff! Also, watch for red wagons made by this same family.

Custom Waldorf Dolls are Here!

2007-12-26T23:34:00.002-05:00

I am so pleased to announce that Down To Earth Toys is now offering Custom Made Waldorf Dolls. These beautiful girls, boys and infants are created by a Work at Home Mother who currently lives in Connecticut, on top of a hill.

You select skin tone, hair color and type and eye color. Each doll comes dressed in a hand sewn cotton outfit. Our infants can fit into any preemie sized clothing.

Take a look, and let us know what you think!

Custom Waldorf Doll

We will soon be adding Doll Cloth Diapers to add to your child's pretend play time!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

2007-12-19T21:44:00.000-05:00

Well, the Christmas shopping rush has officially ended. Down To Earth Toys, and I in particular, made it through with our sanity intact. All of our packages have been sent on their way to be lovingly placed under your tree. I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to you all for your support this year!

Wishing everyone a love filled and happy holiday season!

Peace,

Carrin

Honoring Human Rights Day

2007-12-11T13:18:00.000-05:00

Last night, I was fortunate enough to be invited to present some of Down To Earth Toys' goods at a local event. This was part of Human Right's Day. I had the opportunity listen to Charlie Kernaghan speak about the bad things that are going on in some factories around the world. What a great experience!

Carrin and Charlie Kernaghan

Down To Earth Toys Makes the Front Page!

2007-12-03T10:35:00.000-05:00

http://www.downtoearthtoys.com/pages/News.htm

Please go to our site to read the article that was posted on the Front Page of the Oakland County Press (Michigan's second largest newspaper). I am so excited to have had this opportunity to spread the word about my mission!

We've Got Organic!

2007-11-20T10:54:00.002-05:00

New to Down To Earth this week are these adorable Organic Stuffed Animals. Made by Peace Toys, their line of Organic Foundlings are going to make you feel warm all over!

THE PUREST TOYS ON EARTH. ALL NATURAL ALL THE TIME! Adopt A Foundling - 100% Organic cotton (no pesticides) animals that need a home. Eyes embroidered for added safety. Made in the Green Mountains of Vermont, USA.

Visit our store to adopt your choice of a Puppy or Rabbit. They are super snuggly!

Willow Toys are In Stock!

2007-11-09T22:49:00.002-05:00

I'm excited to announce that we now carry Willow Toys Wooden Kitchens, Playstands and Dollhouses. The nicest thing about the Kitchens that they are finished with a natural, non-toxic, Lavenderwood finish (yum) . They use specialized blends of essential oils and vegetable-derived ingredients to provide the benefits of aromatherapy that indulges the senses for a relaxing playtime. Stop by the store and take a look.

We have also added several more products, and have a few more on their way (including Organic Stuffed Animals and Natural Fingerpaints....but we'll tell you more about those later).

Detroit News Article

2007-11-07T22:02:00.000-05:00

My husband brought home the paper tonight. This was one of the headline stories:

Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Made in America tops holiday toy lists
Recalls of unsafe Chinese items put parents, stores on guard
Nathan Hurst / The Detroit News
PLYMOUTH -- The requests pouring into Ray Dellavecchia's phone line this summer were reminiscent of a union-backed campaign of yesteryear.
"They were asking us to make the little 'Made in America' flags bigger," said Dellavecchia, president and chief executive officer at Poof-Slinky Inc., the Plymouth-based maker of squishy foam toys and owner of the iconic Slinky brand.
"A lot of retailers want us to put larger American flags on our packages. Their customers are equating that with safety now."

After a year full of product safety scares, many related to Chinese-made toys, makers and sellers of toys in the United States -- including many in Metro Detroit -- are putting in extra effort ahead of the holiday retail rush to address consumers' concerns about unsafe playthings.
Months of recalls -- from Chinese pet food to car tires to toys -- has consumers questioning quality control measures in overseas factories and the ability of U.S. regulatory agencies to ensure safety.

The requests for larger American flags are just one example of the strategies retailers are taking to deal with the confusion and prop up toy sales as the holiday shopping season begins. At Poof-Slinky, Dellavecchia expects the new love for American-made products will help boost the company's already growing sales.

Packaging isn't the only thing that's changing.
Stores such as Toys "R" Us have set up special sections on their Web sites to provide information about the rash of recalls this year, according to Lisa Lewin, a spokeswoman for the Wayne, N.J.-based company. The retailer also has implemented its own safety-checking system for toys and a service that sends out e-mails to consumers if something they've bought happens to be recalled.
"We've found that being up front with our customers has proven successful," Lewin said. "Our customers know they can trust us to be honest."

The Toy Industry Association, which represents U.S. manufacturers and retailers, is helping retailers respond to consumer concerns over the safety of toys, and also is taking its own stand on safety. The association asserts that all toys sold in the country are required to pass rigorous inspections, all under "the most extensive, effective and widely emulated standards in the world."

Parents have safety role, too. Consumer safety advocates, however, say retailers' reassurances and government regulations aren't enough to keep kids safe.
Ed Mierzwinski, federal consumer program director for the United States Public Interest Research Group, said that instead of actively ferreting out tainted products before they hit shelves, the government relies on reactionary measures like recalls to protect the public.
Mierzwinski said parents and other toy buyers will need to be especially vigilant when deciding what to give children this holiday season.

"The Consumer Product Safety Commission has demonstrated a total inability to protect children, and that's leaving that role in parents' hands," he said. "These agencies have had their resources gutted and can't do the work needed to keep products safe."
Mierzwinski suggests parents avoid painted toys, and instead look for those decorated with stick-on patterns or decorations. But he conceded that most parents would find that kind of diligence difficult.

Short of that, his group urges parents to keep track of product recalls and return toys as soon as they know there's a problem.
More on recall watch
Many toy buyers, particularly parents, are taking such advice to heart.
After having two of her 2-year-old son's Thomas the Tank Engine toys recalled this summer because of concerns over lead in the toy's paint, Kristin Tyranski is among those who have become pickier buyers.
"After all these recalls, the lead problem is most definitely a concern," said Tyranski, a 41-year-old mother of three boys in Birmingham. She is having her youngest son's blood tested for lead.
"But I do feel more comfortable now that so much attention has been brought on the toy companies. I like the fact that they're keeping on top of it."

A report released Monday by Maritz Research showed 77 percent of toy buyers this holiday season who were aware of the recent recalls would be paying closer attention to their purchases by checking country of origin labels and lists of recalled products.

Nearly a quarter said they won't be buying any toys made in China. That could prove a challenge, given that some 80 percent of toys sold in the United States are made in China, according to government and industry estimates.
"I can't rule them all out," Tyranski said of Chinese-made toys. "I can just hope that the extra attention to enforcing the standards will work."
You can reach Nathan Hurst at (313) 222-2293 or nhurst@detnews.com.

Down To Earth is Opening This Thursday!!!

2007-10-30T14:39:00.001-04:00

I'm feeling really excited today. We will be opening in less than 48 hours! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to Down To Earth being ready to share with the world! I can't tell you how amazing it feels to have such supportive friends and family! I will owe you all a big steak dinner!

Hooray for Fuzi Bunz Diapers!!!!!!

2007-10-22T10:03:00.000-04:00

O.K., I know that some of you aren't as into cloth diapering as I am...but I just had to share. I had heard a rumor, from a very credible source, that Fuzi Bunz were returning manufacturing back to the United States (they had started outsourcing to Mexico a couple years ago...and when I found that out, I started to boycott them....which was hard, because I love their diapers). Anyway...I emailed them over the weekend, and they said that it is true, they are back in the USA! I guess that enough people had complained that it made a difference to them!

Now my little plug....if you're looking for cloth dipes, check out a couple of mama run businesses in our Sister Sites area. Luvingmammadiapers.com and Mamagaias.com both carry Fuzi Bunz and a lot of other great stuff.

Off to spread the word elsewhere....Yay!

Fair Trade Trick or Treat

2007-10-17T17:44:00.000-04:00

I just keep getting all of these really neat links from people (thanks Rachel). Check out how you can make a difference this Halloween by "Reverse Trick or Treating"....Fair Trade Style: http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/fairtrade/Oct07trickortreat.cfm

Clearing out the toys....

2007-10-16T18:20:00.000-04:00

Looking for a way to get rid of all of those recalled toys? Check this out....it's pretty funny (happening in Taylor, MI). http://www.foxspacelive.com/pages/toysmash2007.html

Article

2007-10-12T17:15:00.000-04:00

A great article about USA made toys! http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071012/ap_on_bi_ge/american_toy_boom

Just thought I'd share....Carrin

Some of our Toys

2007-10-11T10:13:00.000-04:00

Check this out....one of our suppliers has been interviewed on Fox News. See what Channel Craft had to say about Toys Made in the USA!
Just wanted to mention some of the toys we'll be carrying....at least what we've gotten in so far.

Yellow Label Kids (beautiful Fair Trade items from Nepal and Bangledesh)
Jamtown-Fair Trade musical instruments (drums, ocarinas, rhythm sticks, etc...)
Whittle Shortline (USA)-The Little Engine that Could train set, track and wooden vehicles
Maple Landmark (USA)-Wooden toys and trains
Charlie's Woodshop (USA)-wooden puzzles and toys
Bajo Toys (Poland)-wooden toys for babies, and wooden vehicles
Mary's Softdough (USA)
Uncle Goose Blocks (USA)-beautiful heirloom quality ABC blocks, our son loves his set
Holgate Toys (USA)-wooden toys
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings-children's music

These are just a few. More and more items coming to our home every day....I'm working on organizing everything and getting the shopping cart all setup.

I did take my first official order yesterday....this was on a drop ship item. So, if anyone wants to do something like that (for a special order-drop ship), let me know....I can go ahead and process those now (on items like playstands, kitchen playsets, doll cradles....etc...).

Have a great day!
Carrin

It's Like Christmas Around Here!!!!

2007-10-04T15:09:00.001-04:00

This is exciting! I started getting some of the store's inventory in the mail today. Most of the products I've only seen via pictures on the internet. They look even better in person! It makes me feel warm inside when I look on the back of these beautiful toys and see "Made in USA"!

Another one lost to China!

2007-09-29T10:02:00.000-04:00

I'm so disappointed! I was going to have a great selection of toys from Chelona. They were made in Greece....not any more, another company has begun manufacturing in China! I was so excited about their products. Oh well....I'll make up for it somehow, I promise!

Things are moving along....

2007-09-25T12:08:00.001-04:00

Well, funds are in place, and it's time to start ordering! This is a time of personal excitement and lack of sleep! I've realized that working for someone else may have its challenges, but starting up a new business on your own can also be quite an adventure!

I can't wait to show everyone what I've been working so hard on, for so many hours the last few months. Additions are being made to the site as I type.

I'll keep you all posted, and please check back frequently for more updates. For now, here is one of the products that I am super excited about!

Made in the USA!!!!!

Choosing Toys For Your Children

2007-09-23T15:41:00.000-04:00

Choosing Toys For Your Children By: Audrey Okaneko

Throughout the year, we see advertisements for children’s toys. These advertisements are on television, on the radio and in print, both in magazines and in the newspaper.

Of course the amount and intensity of these ads is multiplied the last few months of each year. Our experience has often been that many toys are just fads. They are promoted in a way that children are just begging to receive them, and then once received, they are often discarded after just a few uses.

Over they years, I have often opted for toys that encourage creativity or thinking. For example, we’ve always owned word games. We’ve owned Scrabble, Boggle and Word Yahtzee, both the adult versions and the children’s versions. These games have helped my children develop a love of words. My older daughter can not be beat at Boggle. I laugh that no one will play Boggle with her, as no one can win against her.

When my kids were young we owned blocks, Duplos and Lego. Building and creating are wonderful activities for children. My kids created all types of structures. They built homes for their dolls. They would follow patterns and build robot type figures and they would just create made up structures with no real definition. They loved building and creating. When they were old enough we bought the iron on bead designs and again they would create and create. They made magnets and bookmarks galore.

Crossword puzzle books, logic puzzle books and word find books have also always been very popular in our home. Of course these types of books are for older kids, not the under 5 group. We also always bought many workbooks, which both of my kids loved to sit and work on. Under 5, we bought a lot of shapes and counting games. Both of my kids loved Candy Land. They had to match their color cards to the space on the board. They could play this for hours upon hours. We also loved the game Sorry. Reading numbers and counting spaces was fun when they were young.

Over the years we have purchased hundreds of reading books. We actually discovered used book stores when the kids were young because we just couldn’t keep them in books. As the kids learned to read, they went through every book the library had that kids could read themselves. They read everything we had bought them and so we began visiting the used book store. Any gift giving holiday the kids knew they could expect at least a couple of books.

My final suggestion is an assortment of age appropriate art supplies. You can buy crayons, markers and paints. As my kids got older they also began loving rubber stamps. They loved making their own cards and wrapping paper with rubber stamps.

We almost always skipped the newest advertised fad and instead chose the educational and creative toys on the market.
Article by:
Audrey Okaneko is mom to two girls. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at www.recipe-barn.com

We're stirring up something great here!

2007-09-12T11:17:00.000-04:00

Down to Earth Toys is in it's infancy right now. We are currently having our website developed and working on getting our inventory together.

What will we be carrying in our store? Simply stated, wooden and natural toys and Musical Instruments. We will also have a selection of CD's for your family to enjoy. We vow to never carry any items that are manufactured in China. We know that companies are responsible for their products' safety, and not individual countires....but, we can't take any chances.

We are trying not to overlook anything here. Our goal is to exceed your expectations in customer service and product selection. We hope that the toys you find at our site will be ones that you will want to hold on to or pass down. We are staying very far away from anything that can not be recycled, or came from recycled materials. We do not want to help contribute to our country's landfill problems. Also, we will never carry any products that come from countries that are known for their high occurance of product recalls.

With that said, let's talk a minute about the importance of the environment. We are setting up our packing and shipping to be as "eco friendly" as possible. We will be using recycled cardboard boxes, kraft paper and cornstarch peanuts in our packaging.