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Wooden figures/animals (Ostheimer, Kinderkram, Holtztiger)

post #1 of 25
8/14/06 at 1:46am
Thread Starter 
I'm thinking about getting some wooden animals / figures for my girls. Which one of the three companies do you like best? We have a few of the Ostheimers and I really like them. They are pretty pricey though. I haven't seen any Kinderkrams or Holtztigers IRL. I can get the Kinderkrams for fairly cheap (ahem) but I'm not sure I like the sharp edges that much. The Holtztiger look a little too bright and cartoonish, if you know what I mean. So which company is your favorite and why? Are there others out there?
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post #2 of 25
8/14/06 at 1:48am
I have some of the osteimer and I really love them: er I mean my dd really loves them...
I have also bought some on ebay from anne moze
if you search for wooden toys in the waldorf section of ebay hers will come up. they are lovely to play with.
post #3 of 25
8/14/06 at 2:10am
I only have Kinderkrams (and quite a lot of them) and I them. We have a couple of their sets (farmyard animal, woodland animal, lion family - this is probably the nicest, quality-wise, rabbit family, snow white set - I think that last one is still Kinderkram but I'm not certain). Anyway, excellent quality, very nicely done. I love everything we have. I bought everything I have from atoygarden.com. Sonya is awesome - I'd highly recommend buying from her.
post #4 of 25
8/14/06 at 2:28am
jalu! http://www.jalutoys.com/

hes a local man and makes the most beautiful wooden animals/toys..and i think that the prices are excellent considering how amazing they are!

i also like the ostheimer ones.. they are simple and beautiful.
post #5 of 25
8/15/06 at 3:11am
My little one has Holztigers and I think they are cuter than ostheimer (not overly cute-sy, just more appealing somehow) They are sturdy and great
post #6 of 25
8/16/06 at 3:37pm
My favorites by far are Ostheimer. I love how simple they are without much detail on the face, and I love the finish (or lack of). Also, they seem to really capture the gesture of the animal instead of just the shape.
In my Waldorf classroom, I used only these. (And had to budget for them....they are pricey! Now I wish I could afford them as easily for my own daughter!!)
post #7 of 25
8/18/06 at 4:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MamaFern
jalu! http://www.jalutoys.com/

hes a local man and makes the most beautiful wooden animals/toys..and i think that the prices are excellent considering how amazing they are!
I think so too, those are beautiful!
post #8 of 25
8/18/06 at 4:38pm
he sells them every year at the local waldorf school summer and winter faires and i always buy a few animals to add to our collection. i think i love them more than my kids do.
post #9 of 25
9/1/06 at 12:03am
We were given some Holtztiger zoo animals as a gift and they're playful and fun. They seem to have a lot of crossover appeal, in that I've seen them in more mainstream boutique toy shops as well. It's true that the colors are not as subdued as some of the other brands, but I'm not a stickler. I'm very happy with the quality, and the animals have a lot of personality.
post #10 of 25
9/12/06 at 9:52pm
We have some Holtzingers because I initially found them cuter and really wanted them. But somehow, the two Ostheimers we have get played with more. The are gentler and more expressive and really grow on you. Now I like them so much better. Instead of just cute, they are captivating, beautiful, gentle, and do better in a range of play -- the kids just project more on to them, more personality and moods. We're asking for Ostheimer animals for Christmas this year, hoping we'll get some.

Astoria
post #11 of 25
7/24/07 at 8:59pm
I just happened across this old thread when trying to find some pictures of kinderkram animals which someone had up for sale. Thanks for the analyses mamas!
post #12 of 25
7/25/07 at 5:50pm
we have some haba ones - a set of about 20 that cost about $10. They are nowhere near as nice as the other companies; they are each just painted a bright color - like a red hen, yellow duck, brown or black dog etc. DD has a lot of fun with them, but she prefers a larger more detailed set I found at a local store. Not sure what brand they are....

BTW - the wood figures are so amazingly ez to make we have found. All you need is a band saw or scroll saw. (about $100) Trace the design you want (we copy ones we like from catalogs or wherever) onto wood (scraps are ez to come by for free) with a pencil. Then cut out and sand and finish with some beeswax. Sooooooo much cheaper! If you want to try to copy the paint jobs on them, watered down acrylics work well.
post #13 of 25
7/26/07 at 12:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Attached Mama View Post
BTW - the wood figures are so amazingly ez to make we have found. All you need is a band saw or scroll saw. (about $100) Trace the design you want (we copy ones we like from catalogs or wherever) onto wood (scraps are ez to come by for free) with a pencil. Then cut out and sand and finish with some beeswax. Sooooooo much cheaper! If you want to try to copy the paint jobs on them, watered down acrylics work well.
What a fantastic idea! I'm not sure about what kind of saws you mean as this is a whole new world to me, but we just bought a jigsaw! So i'll have to try that. GReat idea to trace an image onto the wood. Thanks!
post #14 of 25
7/26/07 at 12:55am
The Snow White set is Kinderkram. We have that, too and it's precious!! I like that brand and would recommend.
post #15 of 25
7/26/07 at 1:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Attached Mama View Post
BTW - the wood figures are so amazingly ez to make we have found. All you need is a band saw or scroll saw. (about $100) Trace the design you want (we copy ones we like from catalogs or wherever) onto wood (scraps are ez to come by for free) with a pencil. Then cut out and sand and finish with some beeswax. Sooooooo much cheaper! If you want to try to copy the paint jobs on them, watered down acrylics work well.
We did this (well, my dh did) using a scroll saw. We haven't painted them yet but did buy some non-toxic paints for it based on a rec. found somewhere around here. Can't remember the brand off-hand but I could go look tomorrow if anyone is interested. I know it's used by professional toy makers. Anyhoo, here's a pic of dh's first attempt. The trees are not his - just the non-painted figures in front (4 of them).
post #16 of 25
7/26/07 at 10:48am
What a beautiful pic! Wonderful animals (and trees), and such a sweet child. Inspiring.
post #17 of 25
7/27/07 at 12:34pm
i like the ostheimer and kinderkram. the holztiger ones have smiles painted on their face and look to cartooney for us. BUT i do have the holztiger trees
post #18 of 25
7/27/07 at 12:43pm
so good to see some handmade ones--we're in the process and, due to time constraints, I was losing hope in their eventuality....now I feel reanimated and want to get my hands on that band saw!
MamaFern--love the tattoo!!
DH and I are due for our fourth and fifth come this fall (well, when I stop BFing I'll get mine).....good to see some beautiful artwork....also, wanna teach me how to knit? Or at least point me in the right direction....you seem to have it down PAT.
Beautiful children, everyone!
post #19 of 25
7/29/07 at 9:24pm
I've started making my own too; after being inspired on MDC; I got my scroll saw at home depot for $40. Here is my first bear; http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50.../gnomes002.jpg
post #20 of 25
7/29/07 at 9:36pm
Hey, that is pretty darn good! And it looks like a bear, too.
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