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Bonnie Ricker
Hardwood Toys and More
Artist Biography:
![]() When we moved from North Central Mass to Southern NH; my first day of school I was told I could take woodshop instead of Home Economics – which was a rarity in the early 70’s. Three years later I earned the “Golden Hammer” award for excellence in woodshop (above all the ‘boys’). In the early 80’s; I was working in NH making the inlay for Gurian Guitars in Swanzy and picking the barrels for scrap lumber to make toys for my young son. After Gurian went under I went to a furniture making company in Jaffery then to Gates Inc in Peterborough making cases for clocks and tools –still picking barrels for wood. In the mid 80’s I got together with my mother and we started to attend Craft Fairs; she making Barbie doll and Cabbage Patch doll clothes, me making wooden toys (even my son at six was making and selling tops). I moved to Vermont in the late 80’s. Was a Physical Education teacher and ski instructor in the area for over 20 years – doing craft fairs on the side. Last year my husband and I both retired and we have again hit the craft fair circuit. I love working in the wood shop making toys that will not only out last the kids but their children as well. My grandson is using some of my son’s toys, but is getting far more of his own ‘custom built toys’ with some exotic woods. My pet peeve is seeing toys that will not last due to inferior materials (plastic and soft woods) in stores. During the winter when not in the woodshop you will still see me on the mountain teaching the 3-5 year olds how to ski. The ‘Other-Half’ of Hutch & Ricka (he does Leather Carving) and I attend Craft Fairs in Northern Vermont. To order or for more information, contact the artist:
Telephone: (802) 334-5710 Address: 95 Eastern Ave; Newport Center, VT 05857Email: ricker@woodenhorsearts.com See more Sample Artwork (Click thumbnails to view larger images):
Prices are plus S&H and 6% tax |
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