My Wooden Toys
From Wisconsin
Click a picture to view a larger image and description of my wooden toys.
Click a picture to view a larger image and description of my wooden toys.
Pictures of some of my "Customers"
Descriptions of woods I use in my toys
Read my Free online book "Build This Heirloom Rocking Horse"
Letter from another toymaker seeking advice on web site sales.
A society grows great when old men plant trees
whose shade they know they shall never sit in.
Greek Proverb
Dear John,
As things turned out, the timing on the delivery of the rocking horse was perfect, since my sister in now visiting me with her new baby. The horse is even more beautiful than I remembered, and I have received many compliments from the people in my office.
John, I want to applaud you on what I think is a fine business and a wonderful attitude towards the purpose of one's work and the preservation of quality in workmanship. This is a rare pleasure this day and age, and I hope that you can pursue your craft for many years to come.
Sincerely, Pamela
Fine Hardwood Toys for Your Children's Children
The Toymaker . . . John Michael Linck
. . . . . . John Michael Linck . maker of fine wooden toys
I am still a bit confused by the idea of presenting my wooden toys on the web. Perhaps you are too. One friend said, "John, you work alone in your basement making traditional toys. Why do you want such a high tech medium? You have always met people and their children in person. What's next; plastic parts, telemarketing operators, offshore manufacture?" I chuckled. I don't plan any of those, but I still need to find new toy lovers. I share a problem with the cobbler of folklore. My toys don't wear out and many children use the same rocking horse or block wagon. While previous customers buy most of my toys, new families account for about 25% of my work each year and I hope the web will help them find me. Meeting the child who will play with my wooden toys is important to me, yet as a one man band I realize I cannot bring everyone into my shop or living room. (Though you are welcome when you visit Madison.) So, I use the web to reach out to more of you. The low cost fits my minuscule marketing budget and I hope I can develop relationships with you and your children over the phone and with pictures. These are still fine hardwood toys even with a distant toymaker. The Making of an HeirloomVisits to my grandmother always included listening to stories of her youth; stories often prompted by an object or photograph in her home. One walking stick has passed down multiple generations and has many associated family stories, some probably true. Family legend claims it full of diamonds, probably false. I hope the toys I make for you will gather many stories as the years pass. Durable hardwood toys are great carriers of family stories and bring wonderful memories to mind. As a child outgrows a beautiful wooden toy it can easily become part of your home's decor until the next visitor, cousin or grandchild comes along to play. My craftsmanship and your hopes alone can't insure that your descendants will treasure a toy you give, but I have a few suggestions to improve the odds. Most importantly, make the toy special. Explain to the child how their toy was chosen and made specially for them and how its quality is uncommon today. Send me a photograph of your child using their toy and I'll write the child and explain the woods I chose and how I made their toy. Also, ask me to inscribe their name and an important date. This can prevent a toy passing out of a family. Loaned toys often disappear forever. My grandmother is gone now, but when I open her music box or look at the painting that graced her parlor my memories are vivid. Similarly, I hope my wooden toys bring your loved ones joy now and wonderful memories in the future. You Must Be Pleasantly SurprisedI want you to be completely happy with my wooden toys. I know that the quality of my work will pleasantly surprise you. If you feel otherwise, for any reason, I want you to have your money back. You may return any toy for a prompt refund. All my toys are guaranteed for my lifetime. I'm 57. I want you to look at your toy in 30 years and say, "That toymaker did a pretty good job". My finishes are a combination of walnut and sunflower oil and are non-toxic while giving substantial soil and moisture resistance. (I buy them at the grocery store.) They can be maintained occasionally with lemon or mineral oil. My toys have always been "green" in that I use local sustainably grown hardwoods and natural finishes. Now I power my workshop completely with wind power. Our children and our earth are worth caring for. Depending on my workload at the time of your order, there can be some delay in making and shipping your toy. I try to meet your special occasions, but please phone if you would like an estimated arrival date. Wooden toys can be ordered by phone or by mail (snail or email). They arrive at your door via United Parcel Service or Priority Mail. Shipping charges on my order form are for 48 U.S. states only. Other destinations? Please inquire.
Contact Information
Click to send me Email: john@woodentoy.com and I will phone you back, You may hear a saw or sander winding down in the background as I leave my work to answer your call. I don't have voice mail menus, shrink-wrap packaging, shopping carts, or television advertising. . . . . I do make unusually fine toys. . . . . . . . . . . Thanks for liking my work, John
All these toys are my own design and are copyrighted in my name. c 1974-2008 |
Fine woodworking has been my living for the past 32 years and a family tradition for more than a century, starting with my great grandfather in the Black Forest. Upon completing his cabinetmaking apprenticeship he sailed to America in 1867. Here he taught and worked with his son, my grandfather. I see the results of their partnership in the ornate wood interiors of many churches and public buildings in my home town, Danville, Illinois.
Web site design, construction and maintenance by a woodworker who likes to dabble with his Mac. Your patience with my learning is appreciated, John
No toy is as special as one you make for a loved one. If you have always wanted to make a rocking horse check out my free online book "How to Build An Heirloom Rocking Horse".
To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and to endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have success.
Bessie A. Stanley
This poem is often erroneously attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson. I believe its Bessie's.
Hello John,
Our son is turning 2 in a few weeks, and I could not resist giving him the train car that I had ordered from you for his birthday. I was so delighted with the toy that I wanted to give it to him right away. I am now eyeing the crane train as a replacement birthday toy.
Over the past two years, we have done lots of looking and lots of shopping for quality toys. While we both try our best to shop locally, or at least support local stores, I am drawn to your products. The simple yet gorgeous designs work so well for clumsy little hands! And the actual creations are unique and aesthetically pleasing enough for us adults, too. Many adults have complimented Caleb's trains; one of his grandmas wants some for herself! While each one of your trains is detailed, there is nothing complicated for a rough little boy to accidentally break. The surfaces are all rounded and smooth--I never have to worry about Caleb somehow hurting himself. I think you might be one of the few toy makers left who really make toys and products for the kids and not the parents.
Thank you so much for sharing your talent and making your creations. Caleb loves driving cars and the like around, and I love being able to give him a collection such as this. We look forward to getting more trains with every birthday.
Josephine . 6/2007
The electricity to power my workshop and home is all generated by windmills.
Dear John -
Quite unexpectedly, your package arrived today. Though I was prepared for a quality toy, I was surprised and captivated by the elegance and beauty of this little clacker. It is a delight for the eyes, the ears, the hands and, yes, the nose! Coming from a "woody" family, I am familiar with the common smells of finishing which usually accompany freshly made pieces - not something I enjoy. Your clacker is again, altogether different from the norm. It has a pureness which must come from your devotion to the finest of natural ingredients. It's either that, or you have elves in the basement (how else would you have accomplished so much magic in so little time?)
Of course, my husband Carl and I had to try it out and we went zipping around the house, trying to keep it out of Kira's eyesight. She is certainly keen to know what makes wood laugh, and you can bet that come Christmas she will cherish it as much as we do. Thanks for inscribing it with her name.
I have never seen such grace in a toy! I hope each and every one is a pleasure to create.
Sincerely, Eileen 2002
Dear John,
I am so sorry this is nearly six months late - awful! I wanted to send you a note to thank you for your beautiful gift. The block wagon is perfect! The perfect gift for our perfect daughter. I can't locate the photos of Lucca opening her boxes when it arrived - but they are precious. As I expected we get endless compliments on your artwork! I will be intouch via the internet for my next order. I am thinking clackers as a special gift for two different friends ... The doll bed for Lucca's 2nd birthday. And the very special crane for well ... hmmm ... me ... my husband .... Keep on Keepin' on ... You are gifted and we thank you for sharing.
Lisa - 4/2005
Newspapers have published large features describing my work recently. Click here to read one or another.
I was a guest on the public radio show - To The Best of Our Knowledge. Click to read the transcript. or click here to listen to the 10 minute, 6 mb mp3 titled "book".
John,
We ordered the block wagon the summer of 1989. We had admired it the year before but being pregnant now gave us an excuse to buy it. Our son was born Jan. 30, 1990. We received the wagon shortly after as agreed. It is beautiful! For a few months it looked great just sitting in his room. I really thought it would be a long time before he would enjoy playing with it. Well - he loves it already! He started to crawl in September and everytime I put him down in his room he goes straight for the wagon. Now he pulls himself up on it an is taking steps holding the handle. He thinks its great. So do we!
We thank you for your beautiful work and he thanks you for a great toy!
Sincerely, Tim, Tama and Blair
The making of my toys consumes 15 to 20 trees per year. And while I feel my toys are a pretty good use, at least better than junk mail, I feel a bit guilty. I try to plant at least twice that number each year. Join me. One way is to support the National Arbor Day Foundation. Your ten dollar contribution will help us all.
Celebrate Arbor Day on April 29th.
Other holidays repose on the past.
. . . . . Arbor Day proposes the future.
J. S. Morton
Dear John:
Back in October or November of 1995 we ordered one of your block wagons for our son, Joey, who was going to be one in December. I remember that you worked hard to get the order out in time. Since then, we added son number two, Christopher, in March of 1996.
Well, Joey is now 3.5 and Chris just over 2, and I can't tell you the amount of time that they spend with your blocks. They become everything from Airports to Zoos, and literally everything in-between. They are (and have been) such favorites that we've even taken "official" (you know, the one year old, two year old, etc) shots with the block wagon from time to time (I know I have some extra pictures of one of those and I'll send it to you as soon as I find it again).
I've been meaning to write you for quite some time, but I've never gotten around to it. I just noticed (from you latest mailing) that you have an e-mail address, so as I finish catching up from work undone over the last week or so, I wanted to take just a minute to let you know how you've touched our family.
The quality of your work is amazing. Honestly, I've had friends who are woodworkers come over and they've marveled at the consistent quality of the blocks (not to mention the construction of the wagon). It's held up very well. With the exception of some scratches on the side of the wagon (courtesy of our brick fire place) and a single chewed piece(courtesy of our youngest daschound), well, it looks almost new.
John, I apologize that this note is getting to you so late. I really wanted to find the time to tell you about your work much before this point, but I just never put my mind to it. I'm sorry that it's been so long but, at least this is one of those better late than never kinda things.
All too often I think we all get into the rut of being able to find the time to criticize but not finding the time to compliment. Well, please understand just how much fun your craftsmanship has provided our home. It's been immense!
Thanks again, Martin . 5/98
Dear John,
The blocks are beautiful and the wagon a craftsman's delight. We think it is lovely that our grandson has toys that are worthy of heirloom status some day. His parents are as pleased as we are.
Did you see the TV special on PBS about Frank Lloyd Wright? Mr. Wright said that his childhood influences that he considered important in turning him to architecture included his blocks - Froebel blocks he called them. I'm sure Mr. Wright's blocks could not have been so wonderful as those you make.
Thank you for the beauty added to David's life.
Eleanor