Heirloom Wooden Hobby Horses: Toys & Art Decor

I just saw this new wooden hobby horse toy assortment from IRELAND, from artist and toymaker Dan Hillman. Anytime I discover new wooden toys of great quality I want them all! This one is so beautiful and well made that it could be an heirloom quality wooden toy, or it could be hung on the wall of a young child’s room like a stunning piece of art work.

This wooden hobby horse will look great leaning in a corner of a new baby nursery, or in a toddler’s room. When the child is between 2 and 5 years old, they will love playing happily with this very special hobby horse.

“Whether he knows it or not, the experience of interacting with a sturdy toy that is simultaneously a breathtaking object of art will forever affect the way he sees shape and color in the world. Later, the keepsake childhood toy fuels a nostalgic feeling of being on top of the world, and she will be drawn to take notice of the little things that make up the whole, and to create, to do whatever her heart desires, for this is the power of art. Close contact with good art from an early age instills a sense of familiarity with the incredible depths of human ability. In our combined experience raising six children over a twenty year period, we are convinced that this helps to develop a lifelong sense of confidence and desire to acheive amazing feats, whether through painting or economics, basket weaving or physics, hang gliding or horticulture.” ~Craftsbury Kids

These Heirloom quality Hobby Horses are handmade in Ireland by artist toymaker Dan Hillman. Each horse is unique, hand-crafted, hand-stained, and hand-painted. Each hobby horse is signed by the artist/toymaker and individually numbered.

We agree with the company that sells them: “They are truly among the most exquisite toys we have ever laid eyes on. We know they will bring much pleasure to the child or adult lucky enough to own one.”

Eco Friendly
The toymaker makes sure that his his creations are eco-friendly.  He uses sycamore wood from local companies that use fallen timber in Leitrim, Ireland, the artist’s home town. The safe finishes on the wooden hobby horses are “non-toxic and approved for use on children’s toys: natural milk paints, plant based Auro paints from Germany, and low VOC acrylics and varnish.”  

About the Artist
Dan Hillman has a rare ability to infuse static materials with positive energy, resulting in toys that radiate beauty and nostalgia. “Dan works alone on his Hobby Horses, he is a one man show. He loves the work that he does and has no ambition for (his business)…to grow any larger than it is now…small is beautiful, and enjoyable. He keeps orders down to a level that leaves time for him to enjoy each and every creation, to take pride in his work. He never wants his Hobby Horses to become a production line item, or a chore to complete.” ~Rebecca Hillman [Dan lives a sustainable lifestyle homesteading (aka Smallholding) in rural Ireland with his wife Rebecca and their two young children.]

Age Recommendation
“For children aged three to five. Can also be displayed on a wall; some people purchase a hobby horse purely as an art piece.  After your child outgrows the Hobby Horse it will serve as a decoration for many years to come, and later can be handed down as an heirloom.” ~CK