Today I welcome Laura (and Chris) from The Wood Garden! Chris and Laura are a husband and wife team, who create natural, handmade wooden toys and dishes for babies, toddlers and children. The offerings available in their shop are one of a kind gorgeous; pieces that can be cherished for generations. Laura also can be found on her blog Getting There, where she documents her and her family’s journey towards a more simple, self-sufficient, and meaningful life.
Welcome Laura and Chris! It is an honor to have you here with me!
:::
Tell us a bit about yourself and your family.
Laura: We are a family of 6 and we live in Southern Ontario. We love to be together as much as possible–we homeschool, and we love to work on our home business together. Someday, we hope to have a family homestead of our own where we can also work and grow food together.
How were you first inspired to start up your own small business?
Laura: When our son Owen was very young, we decided that we didn’t want to fill our home with cheap plastic toys. We bought a few good quality wood toys for him, and Chris looked at them and thought “I could make something like this.” So he started experimenting with making more toys for our son, and soon found that he absolutely loved woodworking, and making toys especially. He loved to see the smile on our son’s face when he saw a new toy come in from the workshop. So we started this business, so Chris would have a chance to make toys all the time, and make children happy. The modest income we make from it is just a bonus, although it has turned out to be a real blessing to have our business to depend on when Chris is laid off from work. We have gone months at a time living exclusively off our shop, which is possible because we live a simple, frugal lifestyle.
What do the goings on behind your family run business look like on any given day?
Laura: At times when Chris is not working at his “other” job as an industrial mechanic, he spends most of the day in our garage, which is his workshop. I stay in the house with the kids, doing homeschool lessons and feeding everyone, and generally trying not to let the noise get out of hand so he can concentrate. When he comes in to make a tea, he usually ends up helping one of the kids with their math. In the afternoon the kids all go outside to play, and if the baby is napping I use that time to wrap up packages for shipping. Chris will take a break from work to go ship the packages. I also am on the computer now and then during the day to do customer service and other shop business. Basically, we just do what we can to weave work and family life together. Some days are pretty hectic and the housework doesn’t get done.
Once suppertime rolls around though, we enjoy a home cooked family meal, and then spend the evening together relaxing–we watch funny videos, read, play games, go for walks. Normally we don’t work in the evenings, unless it’s the holidays and we’re extra busy. We find it’s very important to make down time a priority, if we don’t want to get burned out. It’s all too easy with a home business to just allow yourself to work all the time!
As a homeschooling family, do you see your children playing a part in running your shop someday?
Laura: Yes, definitely. We would love to continue our woodworking business into the future and have our children work alongside us. Right now they are basically just testers of new products, but someday we’d love to have them participate in every part of the business. If our dream of owning forested land in the country becomes reality, perhaps they’ll even help us harvest the wood! We’ll need lots of hands to help in that scenario.
Do you have a favorite inspirational quote that keeps you on your path and working toward your life goals?
Laura: We’ve had this quote on our fridge for quite some time:
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves, too. Whatever you can do or dream, you can begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”
~Goethe
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Today Chris and Laura are very generously offering one lucky winner a $25 gift certificate to The Wood Garden!
o enter simply hop on over to The Wood Garden, and come back to leave a comment below letting us know what your favorite item(s) are. COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED
**For an additional entry, you can share this post (facebook, twitter, on your blog, email some friends, call your mom, etc.) and leave yet another comment letting us know how you helped to spread the word.**
This giveaway will close FRIDAY morning 8am EST. The winner will be chosen via random number generator and announced in this post shortly after.
Thank you so much to Chris and Laura for sharing their work and for giving us a glimpse into the happenings behind The Wood Garden!
And the winner is:
Lyudmila: “I like the Wooden Baby Bowl and Spoon, in Maple – Wood Dish Set”
(Sorry for the late posting today! Life got away from me for the moment!)
{ 126 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the Wood Airplane, a Classic Toy in Maple and Walnut – Natural Wood Toy. The rattles are pretty cool too, just don't have a use for it.
I really like Wood Airplane, a Classic Toy in Maple and Walnut – Natural Wooden Toy thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com
I really like the wooden airplane and spinning tops. The bowl, plate and cup sets are adorable too
I would love to have the Hopping Bunny Wooden Pull Toy for our new baby!
I love the Sturdy Wooden Stacking Rings! They're so beautiful and I'm delighted that they're simple and natural. I'm tired of so much *stuff* being shoved in our faces.
mercedesyardley@gmail.com
I love the waddling duck pull toy
lmerritt49903@gmail.com
I have to say my favorites are the set of 3 woodland animals, and the play dishes. Beautiful timeless stuff.
I like the wooden stacking rings!
I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/1320800339…
I love love love the Woodland Animals – Set of Three Wooden Toys – Toddler Toys – Push Toys!!!! That is what I would get I think!
My favourite is the Set of 3 Hand Turned Maple Play Dishes – Wooden Dishes
its all so beautifully handcrafted! I love the wooden rattles and also the hand turned bowls.
I shared on Facebook.
I love it all! I love the Hopping Bunny Wooden Pull Toy…and Sturdy Wooden Stacking Rings)))
My favorite is the Beautiful Walnut Hand turned Bowl with Butcher Block Finish!
marija.majerle at gmail dot com
the wood airplane is my fav! jmmccarr@gmail.com
I really like the stacking rings – Those were my FAVORITE as a baby and it would be neat to give as a gift to some friends who are expecting!
Thanks for the fun giveaway!
killercancer at hotmail dot com
I like the hopping bunny
luckyseattlemom at gmail dot com
I really like the colors of the handcrafted Wooden Rattle in Cherry and Walnut, so pretty. ambrerose at(aol) dot(com)
I love the three wooden animals on wheels!
I love the stacking rings! Those were my favorite toy as a kid, and I would love to give this set to my baby niece!
My favorite item is the Beautiful Walnut Hand turned Bowl with Butcher Block Finish.
supaflychikenpi2 AT gmail DOT com
I love the natural baby teething ring!
I love the Maple bowls. Beautiful!
I like the Wooden Airplane.
I liek the Wooden Baby Bowl and Spoon, in Maple – Wood Dish Set
It's funny. I was on their site today and added them as a favorite through Etsy. Since I'm having a baby, I would say the rattles are my favorite. I also want to pick up a bowl and spoon when she is a bit older. I love using wood instead of plastic.
I love the wooden baby bowls. So cute!
Rachael
I love the wooden stacking rings, but I also want a wooden bowl and spoon. So many choices….
lovely give away…
rattles are beautiful!!!
My favorite is the Waddling Duck Wooden Pull Toy.
I love the Waddling Duck Wooden Pull Toy. Thanks for the chance!
ap_lemos at yahoo dot com
i tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/yanuzo/status/1309944313514…
I like the Wood Stacking Rings – Maple and Jatoba Wooden Toy
the bowls are simply beautiful! And that wooden stacker! Wow!
I love everything
My sister is having a baby in the spring and I've been looking for the wooden rattles and teethers so that is what I would love to get 
Thanks for a chance to win!
I love this bunny: http://www.etsy.com/listing/78938689/hopping-bunn…
this is my favorite http://www.etsy.com/listing/67503457/wooden-baby-…
thanks for the lovely giveaway
Hard to decide on a favorite, but the teething rings are adorable, as are the wooden bowl and spoon!
I love the Wooden baby bowl and spoon in maple! Gorgeous!
Beautiful shop! I love the spinning tops too!
I like this! http://www.etsy.com/listing/74480649/beautiful-wa…
It's very hard to choose but I think I like the Beautiful Walnut Hand turned Bowl with Butcher Block Finish best.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
what an awesome store and beautiful family! I love those rattles!
I so adore the Wood Garden's Wooden Monster Truck, Maple and Walnut Toy Truck. Truly and magically delightful! : ) Thanks so very much for this truly wonderful giveaway! : )
leahita[at]gmail[dot]com
I just looooove the Maple Hand turned Bowl with Natural Finish – Wood Bowl. So many beautiful pieces to choose from.
The wooden bowls and spoons are gorgeous! But then so is everything else!
shared on fb https://www.facebook.com/brenda.witherspoonbedard…
brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com
I like the Beautiful Walnut Hand turned Bowl with Butcher Block Finish
brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com
I like: http://www.etsy.com/listing/60994666/set-of-3-han…
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/goldiez/status/130723463806…
I love the wooden rattles.
I LOVE the Beautiful Walnut Hand turned Bowl with Butcher Block Finish!
I am smitten with the tiny wooden dishes
Love the rattles!! Especially the Maple & Purpleheart wood
Thanks for a lovely giveaway!!
I love the wooden rattle. So beautiful.
also shared http://beccasnb.blogspot.com/2011/10/sharing.html
love the woodland animals, and the teething rings too!
Gorgeous creations!
What a great interview and beautiful toys ! I love the play set of dishes and the rattles of course.
My favorite item is the Waddling Duck Wooden Pull Toy.
niuniuzheng at gmail dot com
I like the Hopping Bunny Wooden Pull Toy.
I like the Hopping Bunny pull toy.
nineteen19 at blackfoot dot net
I love the teething rings! I have two little ones teething right now (5 months and 2 years.) I love the all natural teethers so I don't have to worry about chemicals and such!
https://twitter.com/#!/LilleaBrionn/status/130590…
Beautiful Walnut Hand turned Bowl with Butcher Block Finish
Love the wooden bowls – hoping to get some for all my little ones. But rattle would be prefect for our new baby which we are waiting to come any day now.
My favourite item (and my son’s too!) is the Wood Airplane. Thank you! Marta
I just love those: http://www.etsy.com/listing/61119759/set-of-6-han…
bohemian_sin(at)yahoo(dot)com
I really love the Wooden Airplane!!
Honestly, Lisa, how can I pick just one? The rattles, the stacker, the bowl, the spoons…ahhhhh, these folks are creating beautiful things. I'm crossing everything in hopes…
xo jules
I love the Bunny wooden pull toy (my nickname is bunny) and I love this family, so sweet!
xo
rattles
My favorite item is the airplane, mostly because I know that my little boy would LOVE to have it. But really, all those toys are just beautiful!
I have told my entire workplace about this blog and prize and the etsy shop for the wood products…my workplace is a grocery store…so yeah….you might me inundated with us all lol.
bcbeaveratheart@gmail.com
If I win this, I am so totally getting the Hand Turned Maple Perogy Cutter! What an awesome idea they have come up with making this! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!
bcbeaveratheart@gmail.com
I love all these these items! If I had to choose the first one to get I would get the "Hopping Bunny" because it is so adorable. I also love the rattles, they are so beautiful. My fourth child on the way would love this!
oops, i love the rolling fox too!
lovely lovely lovely!!!
Love the play dishes as well as the table turned bowls.
Love the rattles!
Jenna
callherhappy.com
I'm loving the baby bowls and spoons, but the little airplanes are what appeal most to the littles in my life.
I like the walnut bowl and the rolling fox.
I love the set of spinning tops.
I just emailed my mom about this giveaway and so she can get some good ideas for Christmas for the kiddos from the Wood Garden.
I love the hand turned play dishes, but my four year old was looking over my shoulder and saw the monster trucks and he really likes those
I liked on facebook
I love the wooden cups, and the teething rings.
I like the woodland trio of animals!
Everything is beautiful! I love the wooden plates/bowls/cups!
What a beautiful family and line of products. Thanks for the give away.
I love the stacking rings!
hrfarley at gmail dot com
And I tweeted about this giveaway here: http://twitter.com/#!/susanaudrey/status/13037804…
This is really gorgeous stuff! I love the Beautiful Wooden Hand Turned Bowl with Butcher Block Finish (Canadian Maple). Thanks for the chance to win something of quality made with love by great people!
We love the airplane best of all, but it's all beautiful!
Hard decision…I love the stacking rings but the airplane is also beautifully done!
I LOVE the Wood Garden! We have one of their rattles and I bought their stacking toy to give to my little guy for Christmas. I can say from experience that their toys really are top quality. I would love to have one of their animals on wheels!
I love it all! But if I have to choose I could narrow it to either the hand turned bowl, plate cup sets or the adorable bunny pull toy. I would love a gift certificate!
Becca
I tweeted about the giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/kanelstrand/status/13035719…
Oh, thank you for such an earth-friendly giveaway!
I am totally in love with the shape and colors of Laura and Chris's wooden rattle – walnut and cherry! I also liked the airplane and.. well, everything!
I will just go ahead and heart their shop, it is a dream come true!
The wooden stacking rings are great.
-Sara-
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/KatyLMA/status/130342644806…
I love it all! But one thing I liked was the Wooden Spinning Tops, Cotton Bag With 10 Mini Spinning Tops.
love the Beautiful Walnut Hand turned Bowl with Butcher Block Finish!
I tweeted this giveaway
http://twitter.com/#!/katierox4you/status/1303335…
katierox4you(at)yahoo.com
I love the hopping bunny wood pull toy
Thanks!
katierox4you(at)yahoo.com
The natural teething rings or the wooden rattle is what I would probably chose!
I love the maple bowl and cup , just beautiful!__xx
I love the Wood Airplane!!
Ioanna, yana_ven@yahoo.gr
My fav is the Wood Airplane, a Classic Toy in Maple and Walnut – Natural Wood Toy
I'd choose the Maple bowl with butcher block finish, such beautiful craftmanship!!
I love all their stuff! If I had to choose just one I would love a wooden rattle for the new baby we're expecting this month. Or maybe an airplane for big brother who is 3. Thanks for the opportunity!
I shared on Facebook.
I like the Wooden Rattle in Maple and Purpleheart.
http://twitter.com/#!/Jill_Hogan/status/130316499…
I tweeted.
I love the stacking rings! I've always loved that toy.
I would have to say that the woodland animals are my favorite, but they are all lovely! Thanks for the chance!
What inspiring play materials!!!
The hand turned maple toy dishes are simply adorable! But I love all the items… I love the look of natural wood.
Oh everything is seriously awesome!!!
Love the woodland animals and the beautiful bowls.
Such wonderful work!!!
We have one of their rattles for Naia. They are GORGEOUS! It's one of the few things I splurged on buying for her myself rather than relying on hand me downs because I felt it was so worth the amazing quality, and I was right! I adore the wooden bowl and spoon set and also the rolling woodland animals! Thanks for the chance!
Looks like I'm not the only one who has favorited their things for a long time!! I would love to be able to get a rattle or the animals on wheels, And I've been wanting a wooden bowl and spoon since I was pregnant with my 2 yr old!
I have shared on facebook.
Oh, I just drooling right now! I have had several of their items "favorited" on Etsy forever! I'm having a baby in February, so the wooden rattle is tops on my list! Those bowls, though . . . they are amazing.
The wooden monster truck would please my little girl. I love the interviw you do with home based businesses!
I think the rattles are just beautiful, the different color woods together is just stunning
The rolling fox is adorable!