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Toymaker Amber Dusick aka woodmousehas her wood shop in her garage in downtown Los Angeles. After the birth of her son, this one time farm girl from Wisconsin became nostalgic for the toys from her past: simple, natural toys that would inspire creativity and imaginative play, made from materials that wouldn’t stick around in a landfill for thousands of years.
After years of silversmithing, throwing pottery and drawing with pen and ink, Amber finally found her medium in wood. Using sustainably harvested woods, non toxic paints and beeswax along with her wood burning tool, Amber was able to transfer the look and feel of her previous pen and ink drawings to wooden toys. |
 See more posts about the CPSIA issue! |
Woodmouse, founder of the Natural Kids Team, is an ardent advocate of sustainable toys. The materials used are all natural and her toys are 100% compostable. Her imagery is reminiscent of of a child’s crayon drawing come to life in wood.
Amber, like other Etsy toy makers and sellers of children’s items, is fearful that as a sole proprietor she will not be able to afford the stricter regulations of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA); the cost of testing and certification is likely beyond her means. She told Etsy, “I’d be more than happy to have each of my toys tested, if it wasn’t so cost prohibitive. It is the COST involved in testing that will shut us down, it isn’t that anyone refuses to have their work tested.” The CPSC recently proposed a 1 year delay of required testing and certification, in part because of artisans were able to get their voices heard. But this means we need to use the coming year to write to our Congresspeople.
Handmade Video Portraits | More on the Natural Kids Team
Handmade Kids Series | Baby Gift Guide | Children’s Gift Guide
87 comments
Sign in to add your ownlittlebrownpen says:
I absolutely love wood mouse! This is great.
3 years ago
julieincharge says:
Great video and a wonderful glimpse into Woodmouse's process!
3 years ago
daniellexo says:
Beautiful work - love the Natural Kids Team!
3 years ago
loulouandoscar says:
I love Woodmouse's work. I felt the same way after my son was born and started making my creatures. Inspiring video!
3 years ago
tylr says:
Woodmouse is one of the cutest shops!
3 years ago
littlesaplingtoys says:
Thanks for sharing your inspiration and process.
3 years ago
BluCille says:
Wow! Toy making is awesome. I always wanted to learn how to do that. Really neat items! FREE SHIPPING in my shop with the purchase of any two or more items, no limit!
3 years ago
flyingzoo says:
very beautiful portrait!
3 years ago
vaivanat says:
Great Video.. I have tears in my eyes and love in my heart ..
3 years ago
backwoodsophisticate says:
This is such an awesome video! I love woodmouse's shop and it is so cool to get to hear and see her on video.
3 years ago
jessicajane says:
lovely portrait :) thanks for sharing!
3 years ago
littleloveblue says:
awesome! i really liked that! it spoke to my own thoughts on toy making and mothering. great job:)
3 years ago
Nishale says:
Great!!!!!!!!!!
3 years ago
Shauneil says:
I think I just fell a little bit in love! ;) Great video....love seeing the process and knowing the "why".....your toys look fabulous. Thanks, woodmouse, for sharing your story!
3 years ago
weirdwolf says:
I truly love Woodmouse's toys. Simple, beautiful and playful. Visiting Amber's house was like going to Woodmouse heaven. Handmade colorful wooden toys everywhere!
3 years ago
timesandchimes says:
Oh how fabulous! I love the simple, heart-felt goodness of her toys and of all the items shown! What a great article!
3 years ago
katiearms says:
woodmouse warms my heart!
3 years ago
aisle3studio says:
great Chanukkah playset!
3 years ago
mosey says:
go woodmouse!!!!!
3 years ago
beautifulbridget says:
oh my gosh, the wooden bulbs are to DIE for!!
3 years ago
TheSingingBird says:
congrats woodmouse! yay naturalkids team too! :)♥
3 years ago
christinececelia says:
How cute!!!
3 years ago
woolcomesalive says:
How wonderful!
3 years ago
woodmosaics says:
Very nice.
3 years ago
gnomefulthings says:
I always love seeing the space others work in. You do such a great job!
3 years ago
LittleElfsToyshop says:
Wonderful, way to go Woodmouse. ^_^ *hugs*
3 years ago
dmollison says:
Woodmouse toys are absolutely, hands-down, fantastic. I love her style. Way to go Amber!!!!
3 years ago
DoSiDough says:
Fantastic!! Thank you! :)
3 years ago
cozycottagecreations says:
Yeah Amber!!! This video is so fabulous! I love getting a peek into your life ~ you're a great spokesperson for natural toys! Thanks for all that you do and for putting your beautiful work out into the world!
3 years ago
lalaspequenos says:
Yay NaturalKids Team!!!! And yay to Woodmouse for such a great peek into her world:)
3 years ago
mamakopp says:
Wonderful article. Way to go Woodmouse!!!
3 years ago
anicastillo says:
she is so so SO pretty O_O
3 years ago
pupa says:
what a wonderful profile :) was v cool seeing how others create, thanks for the peek.
3 years ago
whimdesign says:
The dmollison dolls are so adorable!
3 years ago
littlecottageshop says:
A beautiful product and a beautiful and simple concept. Nicely done!
3 years ago
woodmouse says:
Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for your nice comments! Thanks especially to Tara who did such a rockin' job at filming and editing the piece, she can make anyone look awesome, I swear. :)
3 years ago
dayanra says:
Great video! Love WoodMouse. But Isnt she from Wisconsin? not Minn.? (in the video she said WI)
3 years ago
soduel says:
Many wonderful natural play options for our children can be found on etsy. And so nice to see so many creative people living right out my back door!
3 years ago
germandolls says:
What a great video! Amber looks so sweet. Just as adorable as her toys!
3 years ago
bethela says:
Amber! I just recently purchased your gorgeous Nativity scene and absolutely love it. All nice pieces are clearly made with love and care. I can't wait to put it under my tree this year. I don't have children but I am excited that not only does this Nativity look fantastic (my main motivation to buying it :)), but also when my neices and nephews they can play with the pieces without a problem. Beth
3 years ago
pennyspug says:
Great video. I love your concept and your work.
3 years ago
1canoe2 says:
That was so sweet and wonderful! I love her work!
3 years ago
FaerieRebecca says:
What a great video of Amber. I love getting a peek at other people's workshops/work spaces :)
3 years ago
DawnAliceDesigns says:
Wonderful video! It is so great to see the process and hear about the toys from the maker. We have one of Amber's toys and we love it! Yay toymakers!
3 years ago
southernbellesandbow says:
You did a wonderful job and even made me look back and remember some of the fun handmade toys my grandmother would send to us! I love seeing other artists and seeing/hearing their thoughts and workshops ;0) Beautiful job Amber!
3 years ago
tlwoldc says:
What a great video! So inspirational. Keep up the great work. :)
3 years ago
flashframe says:
I love it so much! Thanks for sharing, woodmouse!
3 years ago
ageratum says:
Woodmouse - what a great name. Your idea is the best! Keep up the good work, kids need more toys like these! :) Donna
3 years ago
TheBlackSpotBooks says:
soooooo lovely!
3 years ago
jodieflowers says:
I love woodmouse! I adopted one of her robots! My son and I love him! Woodmouse Rocks!
3 years ago
Lumpkin says:
great portrait. i love watching these. this one was especially fine
3 years ago
sopsop88 says:
I loved the video and concept of open ended toys
3 years ago
JLMould says:
I am from Wisconsin too! I love the idea of her toys. Thank you for sharing! Jessica Lynn
3 years ago
birchleafdesigns says:
Such a lovely article and video! It is nice to peek into the windows of others' lives!
3 years ago
haddy2dogs says:
Just so cool! Amber I love your work.
3 years ago
LaCometaLab says:
Thanks for such a treat! I totally relate to woodmouse's philosophy and I also loved discovering not only her fantastically beautiful toys, but the Natural Kids Team. I will completely have their pieces in mind when buying a present to kids in the future.
3 years ago
kimmiekuz12 says:
I've just recently made my first two purchases from the woodmouse, and I'm so smitten with her work! I just watched this video, and I think it's so cool to know that I'm one of her many customers who don't have children. What a nice little peak into her world. Thanks!
3 years ago
cozyblue says:
go woodmouse, go! great video - thanks for sharing it. i purchased a custom family several months ago, and it is one of my very favorite purchases of all time!
3 years ago
soulyluna says:
A+wesome!!!!!!
3 years ago
PoPkO says:
this was a gorgeous video, and very inspiring too. thank you for making it. ***but don't forget to wear your eye protection when you are using the saw and grinder ARGH! your eyes are very valuable!
3 years ago
simplylovlee says:
Thank you so much for sharing your story and your process! So inspiring! Really cool toys!
3 years ago
planetdestiny says:
Inspiring and kind...
3 years ago
JeweledAmbrosia says:
what a beautiful video, thank you
3 years ago
lisahopkins says:
I loved this video!
3 years ago
CraftZany says:
Very cool! really enjoyed watching this!
3 years ago
seababejewelry says:
What a beautiful story! Such great creations, love the Inuitt play set!
3 years ago
modernbird says:
Amber, I loved seeing you speak about your process and ideas, you are wonderfully inspiring! Thank you, Laura
3 years ago
pinkpurse says:
Just so charming!
3 years ago
Sacheen says:
Amber is a wonderful seller with a top-notch product. She spoke so eloquently about why natural is best. Thanks for bringing us a glimpse into her life and art.
3 years ago
cheekyboo says:
:)
3 years ago
Schmutzerland says:
Aww I really loved this video! Its so sweet! And woodmouse is sooo cute! Aw great story! I love her work!
3 years ago
museglass says:
that was awesome to watch! great behind the scenes glimpse. i love the toys and the purpose behind them!:)
3 years ago
Alljazzedupboutique says:
A little bit of retro. I love the toys.
3 years ago
signsofmylife says:
so sweet - so cute - so simple - so fun - so earth friendly - thank you woodmouse so much for your great products!
3 years ago
KellesKitchen says:
I just say, this is one of the coolest Storque stories I've seen yet! I loved the video, thanks for sharing your creative process! We had a great set of colorful wooden blocks when I was younger - I love the idea of open ended toys! So true.
3 years ago
ravenwren says:
Another amazing L.A. artist! I hope we can plan a big get together soon. I want to meet you all. <---------L.A. girl here!
3 years ago
CountenanceJewelry says:
What a great story! The video was even more interesting because Amber is so articulate. Really enjoyed watching it and will be checking out her shop for purchases for my granddaughter.
3 years ago
MissFiKingdom says:
I love the idea of open ended toys. Wooden toys are a great way to get way from the plastic in legos. I bet her workshop smells great... wood shavings and melted beeswax!
3 years ago
BabbidgePatch says:
Wonderful!
3 years ago
Owlshop says:
Classic toys where imagination is the central engine.
3 years ago
brianslittlegirl says:
woodmouse is so awesome!! :D I was lucky enough to be one of her early customers, and the two toys I bought from her for a little one I was nannying (and the set of ornaments I bought for myself) are still favorites, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. :)
3 years ago
babook says:
The video it`s so good to knew a mama work !! Like it this video : )
2 years ago