WOODEN BEINGS: Little People with Stories to Tell are individually crafted, by Spike in his workshop in Stillwater, Minnesota—a twig’s throw from the St. Croix River. Each Wooden Being is one-of-a-kind since each is handmade using gorgeous hardwoods. Some are truly one-of-a-kind, others are made in limited editions. If you don’t see a Wooden Being you can get along with, connect with Spike—he can custom make Wooden Beings from a variety of woods, in a variety of genders and poses, engaged in a variety of activities.

Fixed Wooden Beings are “fixed” in a single position or stance. Usually you’ll find them scaling a wall, climbing a rope or rappelling down a cliff—but sometimes you’ll discover them hanging out as bookends, enjoying the outdoors or celebrating. Freestanding versions often come with magnets embedded in their feet and a metal stand for stability

Kinetic Wooden Beings—through the wizardry of rare earth magnets—have movable arms and legs. This means they can assume more than one pose and stand, sit, jump, crawl, fly, and/or do Yoga. Little kids—or the little kid in you—often find interesting ways to pose them to tell a story. Since they are more time and material intensive they cost more.

Figures designated as prototypes are one-of-a-kind figures, often with small “character flaws” (like all of us.) These usually cost a little bit lesst.

The birth of a Wooden Being

INSPIRATION HITS in the form of a photo, person, suggestion or experience. Sketches are made, templates created and cut out

ABOUT WOODEN BEINGS

SHAPES ARE TRACED onto wood; the parts are sawn out on a band saw, and the edges shaped on a router table and orbital sander

WOODEN BEINGS ARE ASSEMBLED using magnets (L) for connecting limbs of kinetic figures; glue (R) for the fixed figures. Wire hair is placed, wood hair is “styled.” Final finishes are applied.

PARTS ARE SANDED, test fitted, then sanded some more. Finishes are applied now (or after assembly.).