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My main passion in life is animation. This is what I will go on to study at Kingston University after my gap year. I like to experiment with different techniques and materials using anything that's movable and interesting. Some of my favorite medians to animate with are charcoal, paint, paper and sand. I have had various commissions, one where I have worked with a poet called Jack Dean who went to Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer with his show Threnody For The Sky Children. My animations went along side the poetry and it was a very affective combination. Poetry and animation work well together because the images created are constantly moving and evolving. In the shop I have been making little animations that show a certain product in use. Last week I played with the My Little Pony Dress-up Mug. Changing her outfits with the reusable stickers that come with the mug. Today I experimented with Fun Dough. Seeing what shapes and textures I could make. What I love abou...

You can make a den or hide out from just about anything. Above is a den we made with Blake using pallets and an old garden gate. The garden has grown up around it now making it look more attractive. He didn't want a shop brought Wendy house which was fine with us. He has set his den up as his laboratory, full of his 'potions'. A child's imagination seems to come alive in a den.   We were lucky enough to get enough snow to make this cool snow den. It took all day but it was worth it when at the end we lit a few candles inside and sat in it with some hot chocolate and cookies.   It's great that parks seem to have cottoned on to how much children love dens and you will often find one of these living willow dens in playgrounds now.   We sell a colour your own castle for £25 made from card that you simply slot together and then colour. Its great fun making a den together and this set really gets them involved. Then they can get dressed up and ro...

Out of all the toys in the shop I feel I'm most drawn to the Rag Dolls. Hand made in England they have very unique and adorable feel to them. As you walk into the shop they are all sitting right in front of you arm in arm with all there friends. I picked one up to change her label and I became attached to her, shes so soft and cuddly I didn't want to put her down when I had finished. Dolls are one of the oldest toys going back to 2000 BC where evidence has been found in Egyptian tombs where families were buried with their most treasured processions including dolls made from rags, wood, clay and bone. This shows that dolls have played an important role in peoples lives for thousands of years What makes a good toy is the attachment the child has to it. Originally, as the name suggests, Rag dolls were made by Mothers for their children out of old pieces of cloth and material and sowed together to create a doll. So simple yet so lovely. It's amazing to think that a chil...

We're planning our next holiday and one thing that puts me off going too far is the thought of having to keep our toddler happy. Our 7 year old will be easy, he won't be any more bored than me with movies, books and an ipad but an 18 month old is a whole different level of stress. I took him on a short bus ride the other day and the first thing he did was start screaming. In the comfort of our own home this is easy to deal with but a full melt down on public transport with the disapproving looks and tuts of the person in front is extremely stressful. I know I'm not alone as I've had other mum's, dad's and grandparents sharing there concerns in our shop and asking me for suggestions of little light toys they can take with them. Ideally they want something the child hasn't seen before and a great idea is to wrap them and give them spread over the journey. Nothing noisy, messy or that involves running round. Here is what I would choose: Magic Drawing Bo...

Last September, Totnes Pride was launched to celebrate diversity and equality in the local community.It was attended by nearly 1000 people and was covered by BBC TV and Heart FM. The year's Pride event is being held on Saturday 6th September 2014.  Everyone is welcome and there will be a whole host of activities, including: community art projects, workshops, community stalls, a children's craft area and inspirational talks. At 10:00 there will be opening speeches from Peter Tatchell & Christine Burns MBE outside The Dartmouth Inn. At 10:30 there will be a procession up Fore Street and High Street led by Samba Roc Band. Please remember Fore Street and High Steet will be closed from 08.00 to 12.00 (midday), Toyday will of course have the bubble machine on for such an occasion and for a limited time only we have 20% selected family games and buy 3 get 1 FREE on all packs of Loom Bands. We hope to see you this Saturday!

 Just a little reminder that delivery is now free when you spend over £35. Get all your traditional toys in one place and get them delivered to your door!