Chickadees Wooden Toys – The Only Etsy Store You Need This Christmas

Take advantage of the special deal for Piedmont Pearls’ readers. Use the code PIEDMONT10 on Chickadees Wooden Toys’ Etsy store for 10% off!

I must confess, I came to the Etsy game late. I have only been using the site for about a year and a half and was thoroughly overwhelmed by my first few initial perusals. I swore it off and decided to stick with the big giant that I know and loathe, Amazon.

Yet the more I read about Montessori and Waldorf pedagogy, I found myself struck by the emphasis on inviting, beautiful, and sustainable toys. The type of toys that can’t be found on Amazon, at least not really (knock offs are pervasive, and can be deadly). I went back to Etsy and typed “Montessori toys”. The search results were overwhelming to say the least, but I instantly zeroed in on one shop with a lot of COLOR: Chickadees Wooden Toys.

Chickadees Wooden Toys is run by Tennessee toymaker Becky Williams. Becky is one of those people whose genuine nature radiates through her keyboard. What first started as a customer/vendor relationship back in April turned into an internet friendship that I value dearly. She gives insightful parenting advice and has helped me find the humor on really trying days. Originally the owner of a small day school, she “started making toys for my preschoolers because I have a soft spot for wooden toys. I have always believed in open ended play and the importance of imaginative play. And it snowballed from there.” You can see glimpses of that early years foundation in the color palettes of her items. The colors are bright, fun, and eye-catching.

If you peruse her storefront, you’ll notice an emphasis on loose parts and small world play. It’s not by chance, as the loose parts sets are her favorite item. “With the rainbow of colors, you can use some or all pieces for seasonal play and themes.” she said, when asked what her favorite item from her store was. For a refresher on loose parts, read my previous article here. The product line constantly evolves to keep up with seasonal preferences. For example, she recently debuted lovely snowmen/trees combo in her “Winter Playset”. My not easily impressed husband oohed and ahhed over the colors in our set and Vicky goes for them every morning since they’ve arrived. I don’t know how I’m going to break it for her in six months that summer is almost here and snowmen must disappear.

Another plus to Becky’s store is the sustainable nature of her toys. Using non-toxic paint and sealer, her toys can take a beating, and frankly at this house, they have. I can’t count how many times Vicky has hurled a colored egg across the living room. I suppose it’s better than a real one? The eggs, along with the rest of her Chickadees toys, don’t look any worse for wear. In fact, she recently supplied me with two replacement hedgehogs, since we feared the original (a favorite) was lost forever. Putting the older one with the newer two, you can’t tell the difference. There’s over six months of play in one and it’s impossible to tell which. Her products really do stand the test of time, and will be around for generations to come.

Her products are also extremely inviting. Even though I am a big fan of toy rotation, I find it almost impossible to put her loose parts back in the closet. The colors are vibrant and the shapes are really toddler friendly in terms of grasp.

Lastly, I find myself coming down to the core of why this is one of my favorite stores – it doesn’t feel like a business transaction. I don’t know how to describe it, but I suppose a proper review must try. It feels like you’re receiving a package from family. A colorfully dazzling toy, sent quickly and wrapped lovingly. Yes, I suppose that when we receive a package from Chickadees it reminds me of opening care packages in college from my mother, or opening up the boxes on Christmas day, from my Grandmother who lived upstate. You know the person who wrapped it, put a lot of love and care into it. In the era of instant gratification, prime delivery, and big box stores, Becky is making a name for herself with Chickadees, delivering quality toys and impeccable customer service.

The best way to reach Becky regarding a product specific question or your order is via Etsy. Take a look at the gallery below for more glimpses of her store. Don’t forget, PIEDMONT10 will get you 10% off.