tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625295153752236458.post6868878239704857158..comments2024-03-10T00:40:00.048-08:00Comments on Scrappy Happy Me!: Shopping Handmade for a 5 year Old BoyVivianapachecofinearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04801062719450490568noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625295153752236458.post-20393604459007700852009-11-20T17:11:52.477-08:002009-11-20T17:11:52.477-08:00I don't know where to find them on the net, bu...I don't know where to find them on the net, but have often seen some really great handmade cars, trucks and even construction equipment made of wood. They use basic shapes which can really stimulate a child's creativity. The ones I have seen are usually unpainted, but often are finished with a high quality shellac or varnish and can be made of anything from soft pine to exotic hardwoods. Even my girls used to love these, as well as plain blocks. <br /><br />You might even be able to find some handmade, hardwood building blocks. These last a lifetime when you find them. <br /><br />I still have my daughters' set (unfortunately machine made) which they played with until they were teenagers, their creations going from simple to exotic castles and mansions for their barbies and other games, similar to those we now see on computers or game machines. <br /><br />They even combined them with scraps of cloth to fashion mosaic-type designs on the floor or work table as they grew older. Some of those designs found their way translated into stitched blocks on pillow tops or saved on graph paper in a notebook for a future quilt, skirt or jacket. <br /><br />Hope this helps! As a jewelry artisan myself, I am so pleased to see someone who appreciates the value of handmade things. Peace! Ellen L "jemyl" Johnsonjemyl41https://www.blogger.com/profile/17914944993669674768noreply@blogger.com