One of Santa’s helpers has returned to Griffith Central to help parents find the right toys for good girls and boys.
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Keith and Sandra Russell from Keidra Woodworks have been involved in wooden toys and furniture for 29 years now, growing from a small hobby to a full-time business.
In their pop-up shop, parents browse wooden cars and pull-along crocodiles, toy trains and doll houses.
“I’ve always loved woodwork,” Mr Russell said.
“Back when I was at school I’d make rifle stocks for people.
“The most special thing though is seeing the smiles on kids’ faces as they play with toys you’ve made.”
Mr Russell said more parents seemed to be looking for basic and durable toys.
“People are going back to basics again,” he said.
“Wooden toys don’t need batteries and don’t make annoying sounds.
“After all, every toy is fuelled by imagination.”
The business started with the odd pre-school fundraiser and then people approached Mr Russell asking for bespoke toys and furniture.
“I’d get asked if I could make a doll’s cradle or things like that and it just grew from there,” he said.
In the early years, Mr and Mrs Russell would drive around to shows and markets from Griffith and Leeton to West Wyalong, Weethalle, Hillston and Lake Cargelligo. In 2000 Mr Russell quit his job on a bread run to West Wyalong, went full-time with the business and branched out into field days. Now, they drive far and wide visiting South Australia and Victoria as well as events across New South Wales.
“You stay the night after a field day then head home and I’ll reload the stock while Sandra does the washing and then we’re back on the road that afternoon,” he said.
The Russells have to buy stock to go along with their own handicrafts simply to keep up with demand. In the store there were shelves full of John Deere and New Holland tractors, kitchen sets and toy trains.
“The John Deere stuff is really popular,” Mr Russell said.
“The kids want to have what dad has on the farm.
“We get some collectors coming in too.”
After 29 years, children and grandchildren were being handed down toys Mr Russell had made, which gave him a sense of pride even if it also made him feel a little old.
He said retail was a tough business these days, and if he still had a mortgage they’d be doing something else.
“But, you get to the stage where you don’t need as much money,” Mr Russell said.
