Is it Christmas in July?

While most folk are taking vacations and traveling, we are making toys and preparing for the fall and holiday seasons.....that would be December 25th - Christmas!

So I guess you could say it is Christmas in July at McCoyToys!  Busy little bees buzzing around trying to read the minds of our customers to see what will be the hottest McCoyToys toy for 2014!

Would that be the traditional folk toys....such as: Tops, Spinning Wheel or Jacob's Ladder...wonder..?

Or maybe it will be a "new car" perfect fit for the hands of little ones.....chose one in any of 5 primary colors.....

Or could be another favorite folk toy....the Spinning Wheel!  Yes, it is a favorite of children, adults, physical therapist...Wow! Even colorful strings!  Were our ancestors smart of what...yes, they were....

Oh, we must not forget all of those toddlers....the perfect McCoyToys pull toy is for them... That would be either the Stack and Roll Pull Toy - or - Grasshopper Pull Toy!  Yes, that is it!

Maybe you would like to choose for yourself the perfect McCoyToys toy that fits the interest and personality of a special child at one of the websites listed below.  Of course, every child is special!  Don't you agree.....  Wishing you a Merry Christmas in July! 
www.mccoytoys.etsy.com or  www.mccoytoys.artfire.com or www.aftcra.com/mccoytoys

Happy New Year!

Hope you did not bother to make any resolutions that will only cause you to be depressed and upset when they are broken or are unobtainable!  Now you may think this is the view of a procrastinator...you are right, it is!   But, I am also a realist....I know my limitations and if I am not willing to eat "hog jowl", "black eyed peas" and "collard greens" on New Years Day..?...  Give me a break!  Neither am I superstitious!

To say the least it has been an interesting and unusual start to 2014....but so it is with life!  John is working on some patterns for new toys, games and puzzles.  It is hard for me to contain my enthusiasm and excitement!!  

Meanwhile....back at the ranch.....I want to reintroduce you to one of our toys that has been a favorite for toddlers and younger children for a few years now.  It is the Stack & Roll Pull Toy. 

There are a multitude of ways that this toy can be stacked....all wheels will always turn regardless of how it is stacked.  Also, for a young or challenged child, the string is easily removed if need be.
Maybe this would be the perfect gift for your "little valentine"!  We even offer a choice of color for the "pull string" - red, blue, green, or variegated!  The attached product card provides additional information & ideas. 

If you have purchased, we would love to hear your comments on how your child played Stack & Roll.  Always, always remember; a wooden toy can be repaired!  We are happy to repair a toy that we have made....and remember....McCoyToys: No Batteries Required - Just Imagination!  

McCoy Toys Spinning Top

"It's Summer Time"

When someone says "Summer is finally here," what immediately pops into your mind?

For sure, it is the time of year when most people (of any age) enjoy the outdoors!  Also, it is a time for weddings, family reunions, vacations to the beach or mountains.  And in our area of the county, many churches have (VBS) Vacation Bible School!  Another fun time for children of all ages.

Our Ring Toss Game has been used by more than one couple as a game played at their wedding.  We thought that was a really neat idea....  Great for trips to the lake, beach, backyard....whether you take a vacation or a "stay-cation" it works.

Our Ring Toss Game comes with either a Blue Base or Red Base....

                                                
Comes apart for easy storage in the cloth tote included with the purchase.  

These and other McCoyToys are available for purchase online at: www.mccoytoys.etsy.com
Also available in NC at the following locations:  
Asheboro, NC - BrightSide Gallery, Worth Street
Boone/Foscoe Area - Maw's Produce & Crafts on Hwy 105
Hickory, NC - The Green Sheep, 2129 N Center St
Liberty, NC - Liberty Artisan & Craft Gallery, 5546 Hwy 49
Sanford, NC - Karma Boutique, 137 Wicker St.
Thomasville, NC - Maggie D's Cottage, 26 E Main St.


Be sure and checkout the feedback we have received from our customers; and yes, we would love to hear from you as well.


At McCoyToys, we may get behind with our work, but we are too blessed to be stressed!

Folk Toys...what is a folk toy?

Many of the toys that we make are classified as folk toys.  A toy is usually classified as a "folk toy" much like "folk dance" or "folk music", etc...  It is passed down from one generation to another, often with slight variation in design and/or exact name of item and history behind it.  John & I often wonder...who was the first person to come up with this idea?...

Examples of folk toys are: Spinning Wheels (spinners, buzz saws, etc), Jacob's Ladder (this is the oldest folk toy that we have history of....it dates back to 1300 BC), Yo-Yo, Spinning Tops, Jump Ropes.

Climbing Bear - just as others before us have done; we created the Climbing Gingerbread Man. ("Folk lure" tells us farmers created this toy to teach their children how to milk a cow.)

The Acrobat and Ariadne's Block - originated from Greek Mythology; Ball & Cup Game - great for hand-eye coordination.

The Spinning Wheel is a fascinating toy!  It requires some coordination and focus to learn to spin the wheel...however - like riding a bike - once you get the hang of it, you are on a roll...oops...you are really spinning. 
                                                                           
John & I remember our mothers/grandmothers making spinning wheels (which we called spinners) using a large coat button and quilting thread.  And sometimes, if a child misbehaved, they were told to sit in the corner and given a "spinner" for entertainment.  

Spinning Wheels are also a great "tool" for exercising the muscles in the hands, wrists, arms, and chest.  In fact we have had Physical Therapist purchase them for patients who needed to improve strength in their hands and wrists.  Try it!  You will like it!   Coming soon - videos of our toys in action!

These folk toys, & other McCoyToys are available for purchase online at: www.mccoytoys.etsy.com
Also available in NC at the following locations:  
Asheboro, NC - BrightSide Gallery, Worth Street
Boone/Foscoe Area - Maw's Produce & Crafts on Hwy 105
Hickory, NC - The Green Sheep, 2129 N Center St
Liberty, NC - Liberty Artisan & Craft Gallery, 5546 Hwy 49
Sanford, NC - Karma Boutique, 137 Wicker St.
Thomasville, NC - Maggie D's Cottage, 26 E Main St.

Any feedback?  We would like to hear from you....we learn much from our customers! 
Too blessed to be stressed!

Toys for Fathers......? Of course!

Just think back for a moment......what game did you play with your Father?

Huh....well, my parents had 5 children....so we played many games together and Yes, our parents did join us.

I remember that my father enjoyed playing checkers with his children & grandchildren....and yes, we sat in front of each other with the checker board balanced on our knees!  Can we say FUN!  Yes, those were great times.  The design of the McCoyToys checker board originated in the Vermont Folk Art Museum - no more balancing a paper fold-up board on your knees.
 
 Even today, we find that parents and grandparents enjoy playing games with their children & grandchildren.  Our granddaughter enjoys putting together "jigsaw puzzles"....and no, unfortunately, McCoyToys does not make "jigsaw puzzles".

At www.McCoyToys.etsy.com you will find checkers, jump the peg brain teaser, the cross puzzle and "t" puzzle brain teasers, and tic tac toe games....

Why not take the time....no....Make the Time....to play with your parents, grandparents, children & grandchildren.  You might be surprised how much you can learn from some of these simple games; not to mention the value of the memories that you are creating.

There may not be time before Father's Day to order online; but remember, games are great fun on any occasion and can be bought in NC at the following locations:
Asheboro, NC - BrightSide Gallery, Worth Street
Boone/Foscoe Area - Maw's Produce & Crafts on Hwy 105
Hickory, NC - The Green Sheep, 2129 N Center St
Liberty, NC - Liberty Artisan & Craft Gallery, 5546 Hwy 49
Sanford, NC - Karma Boutique, 137 Wicker St.
Thomasville, NC - Maggie D's Cottage, 26 E Main St.

Yes, you can clean McCoyToys!

Ordinarily wood and water do not mix well.....

However, McCoyToys that are painted can be cleaned with a damp soft cloth.  Just simply wipe it gently to remove "debris" left by sticky fingers etc....

Sometime at a craft fair or bazaar; it is not unusual (especially this time of year) to have a layer of dust accumulate on items that were on display.  When we return home everything is unpacked, examined for any "trauma", cleaned and/or dusted using a large dry paint brush or a damp cloth as described above.

Items that are "not painted" are either stained or have an application of Mineral Oil - these we dust with the paint brush or wipe with a dry soft cloth. Do not put water on an item that is not painted!

One of our most popular items this time of year is the Ring Toss Game - "X'" style - available with either red or blue base.  The center peg is always yellow - the other 4 pegs are the opposite color of the base (red pegs with blue base; blue pegs with red base).

Uniquely the game comes apart for easy storage in the handy tote (locally made) that is included with the purchase.

           

McCoyToys can be purchased online at: www.mccoytoys.etsy.com or
in NC at the following locations:

Asheboro, NC - BrightSide Gallery, Worth Street
Boone/Foscoe Area - Maw's Produce & Crafts on Hwy 105
Hickory, NC - The Green Sheep, 2129 N Center St
Liberty, NC - Liberty Artisan & Craft Gallery, 5546 Hwy 49
Sanford, NC - Karma Boutique, 137 Wicker St.
Thomasville, NC - Maggie D's Cottage, 26 E Main St.