What first drew you to toymaking?
I started making toys in the 1970's. I was a working saxophone player, and started to make simple toys for our children in between gigs, I was inspired to take toymaking more seriously after a visit to Camden Lock Market, and realised that there could be a possibility of selling my work there. I had a stall selling my toys at Camden Lock for several years, then I had a stall at the Apple Market in Covent Garden.
What's your favourite toy or part of a toy to make?
My favourite, but also the most difficult part of toymaking, is solving the problems involved in designing a new toy, and bringing the idea to life.
What does your typical day look like?
I usually get up very early. I like to start work around 5 am. I find that I need to make an early start so that I can fit music practice into my day as well as toymaking. Having retired from saxophone playing, I now play Irish Flute and penny whistle. I design my toys on a computer, using software such as Adobe Illustrator, then I spend many hours experimenting and making prototypes until I perfect the idea.
What's your best seller?
My best seller is a rocking parrot toy.
What was your favourite toy as a kid?
My favourite toy as a child was a tin blue Bugatti; or was it that pullalong jointed dog? or was it Meccano?
Below is a photo of my most recent toy. It is a rocking toy of 2 knights jousting.
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Years ago I made tumbling parrots - sold like hot cakes. I saw one somewhere in Covent garden - the string that held the parrot was about 8ft long and the centre spindle was quite small dia. It kept going for ages. Round about 1979 - it might have been one of yours. Well done
I love the graphically striking nature of your toys Peter. ❤️