Even during the lead-paint scare in 2007, not one of her products was recalled.
The Acorn Store is the only retail shop on its block, but a sidewalk display of toys and trikes pulls in passersby who are strolling or cruising the Santa Monica area of Los Angeles. The window features a wooden tree house that owner Ellen West [watch video interview, below] was given for good luck when she first opened, seven years ago. It’s worked its magic so well, she hasn’t moved it since.
What does move are her products, which range from wooden toys to velvety dress-up clothes. She’s divided her main room into seven or eight distinct areas to showcase products by category. As her success blossomed, she added a costume room filled with fantasy outfits for both boys and girls. She’s currently converting another adjacent space to a Plan Toys showroom.
Ellen prides herself on choosing only top-quality products that encourage children to think creatively. Even during the lead-paint scare in 2007, not one of her products was recalled. Her focus and vision pay off; she’s never had to hold a sale to keep products flowing out the door.
Following are some of Ellen’s favorite toys. Please scroll down to watch all the videos, and click here to see Ellen's Plan Toys showroom:
First Blocks includes a little buggy with a driver and six different building blocks, each with its own surprise, acoustic or visual, for playing, building, assigning and discovering. Blocks measure 4 x 4 x 8 cm.
The soft, smiling doll is composed of funny, appealing colors and is perfect for cuddling with, day or night. It is made from fine cotton and terrycloth, making it long lasting and washable. Launch date: February 2008.
In an all-new design, it includes an area to the left of the sink bowl perfect for drying dishes, cutting wooden veggies and more. The cabinet compartment includes a true divided cupboard as well as the signature oven door. It's crafted with precise, slot-together construction so assembly takes just a few minutes.
This solidly constructed wooden plane can serve as a push toy for small children, if the peg people are removed. Put them back in and older kids have a great pretend play vehicle to fly around the house. It's made of hardwood in Poland and measures 4¼" tall x 11" wide.
Place the red ball on the flipper stick, press down and let it snap back up. The ball will fly towards the basket. Solid wood, 9.5 inches long by 3 inches wide.
In four game variations the children will recognize the groceries by touching, ordering or assigning them as quickly as possible, all helped by a good memory. A game collection for two to four children. Also, the wooden groceries are perfect for "free play" games.
Sensor, the sensory explorer, guides the players to an exciting planet: carrying out various activities all about seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching and moving, they get to know their senses better. Who, for example has ears like a lynx or a good nose?
The children of the forest live deep in the roots of an old pine tree. They collect wild mushrooms and blueberries and shelter under toadstools when it rains. They play with the squirrels and frogs, and when autumn comes, they collect and prepare food to see them through the long winter, until the warm spring breeze starts to blow.. Written and illustrated by Elsa Beskow, whose picture books for children have been known and loved for over a century.
Even little folks can get their colors in with this set of beeswax crayons. In addition to classic round crayons, the set includes crayon blocks, which are easier for tiny tykes to manipulate and cover a greater amount of space with the least effort.
The Ferby giant coloured pencil with a wood-sealed end is 12 cm long. The strongly pigmented colour lead with a diameter of 6.25 mm is highly break resistant. The unique shape of the pencil is a round triangular that suits the writing hand . It reduces muscular strain and provides ease in writing and drawing. Particularly small hands, left-handed people and those with weak muscles gain comfort and ease from the comfort grip. A maximum of pigments, the wipe and water resistant lead and the high break resistance guarantee highest quality.
This set of modeling slabs is made of beeswax that never dries out. Children simply warm the colored slabs in their hands to soften it to the consistency they wish and form whatever their imaginations direct.
Hang the Silk Rose Garden Canopy over a child´s bed or over a table to create a fantasy play area. Yards and yards of soft billowy silk with a rainbow top. Other styles available.
Spring Burst With Music and Figurine by ENCHANTMINTS
The tallest style is excellent for tiny treasures. Earrings, bracelets, charms and sachets are all safe and comfortable inside. There are four drawers, one in front and one on each side. The Spring Burst box measures 6" x 4" x 6".
Bright red velvet-like flocked vest, black and white striped pants with drop crouch, swagger style yellow satin belt, black taffeta scarf, eye patch and white poly-cotton shirt make this pirate garb fun for boys or girls.
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ... Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ... Read more articles by this author
