Thursday, July 11, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
"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!
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!
Saturday, June 15, 2013
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!
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!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
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.
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.
Monday, June 3, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
How does the slow ecnomy affect your business?
Lessons are learned during every season of our lives.....
Case in point: We participated in a very unusual craft show - the traffic was slow and the sells were slower.
When things are slow.... this gives you the opportunity to chat with other vendors. This was the case in 2008 when we met April Moore Knodel of MooreMagnets.com. April was telling us about her Etsy shop and suggested this as an outlet for selling our toys. This ended up giving our business a tremendous boost!
Well....the rest is history. We set up our Etsy shop - McCoyToys in 2008. It was through this outlet that Southern Living Magazine found our shop and featured our light blue and white Checker Board in the February 2010 issue.
John & I could not believe that a retired couple from the suburbs of Randolph Country, North Carolina would be featured in a national publication! God's ways are not our ways; we know that we have been blessed beyond measure.
This was the beginning of McCoyToys getting "on the map". We believe that our patience, persistence, and making only quality products paid off.
Remember, take the time to create a quality product - regardless of whether you knit, sew, paint, or design from wood. The value of your product, will be appreciated by those who choose to purchase; even when economic times may seem less than the best.
Please check out the great, useful & practical products that April's offers: MooreMagnets.com
This morning as I prepare to post; the DOW is up over 200 points! Don't ask what is the state (season) of the economy....there are too many answers!
Friday, May 24, 2013
I can't believe we set up a blog.......
Old dogs can learn new tricks...
McCoyToys - our shop name - defines what our company The Real McCoy, Inc. is all about!
John's knowledge of wood came from years of working in the furniture industry in NC. Sadly, the doors closed for all of the local companies. What began as dabbling in making different wood items as a hobby became a small business.
We have made hand-crafted toys, games & puzzles for over 17 years - and from the beginning, we knew that the "right thing to do" was to use wood & paint (mfg in USA) that are "lead-free" & safe for children.
Did we make mistakes? Yes. More than one? Yes. You have heard "build it and they will buy (come)"...... Nah, nah, nah..... As a very wise friend of ours Greta Lint recently said, "You must listen to your customers....know what they want....."
Needless to say, we have learned much from our customers and not only listen, but ask them for advice.
There is life after retirement! We have been blessed beyond measure & would never have dreamed of the opportunities that would come our way.
Can't wait to meet you again....our plan...(if you don't plan, you plan to fail)...is to post info on our blog at least 2-3 times a week that, hopefully, you will find useful as well as interesting!
McCoyToys - our shop name - defines what our company The Real McCoy, Inc. is all about!
John's knowledge of wood came from years of working in the furniture industry in NC. Sadly, the doors closed for all of the local companies. What began as dabbling in making different wood items as a hobby became a small business.
We have made hand-crafted toys, games & puzzles for over 17 years - and from the beginning, we knew that the "right thing to do" was to use wood & paint (mfg in USA) that are "lead-free" & safe for children.
Did we make mistakes? Yes. More than one? Yes. You have heard "build it and they will buy (come)"...... Nah, nah, nah..... As a very wise friend of ours Greta Lint recently said, "You must listen to your customers....know what they want....."
Needless to say, we have learned much from our customers and not only listen, but ask them for advice.
There is life after retirement! We have been blessed beyond measure & would never have dreamed of the opportunities that would come our way.
Can't wait to meet you again....our plan...(if you don't plan, you plan to fail)...is to post info on our blog at least 2-3 times a week that, hopefully, you will find useful as well as interesting!
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