HOMESTEAD FOLK TOYS, GAMES & CRAFTS is an historically-based folk toy company located in the historical village of Nashville, Indiana, an area long noted for its fine craftsmanship, Homestead Folk Toys
represents the work of George Rice, a nationally known toymaker and author. Homestead Folk Toys is George's second venture in the field of American folk toys. His former business was a hugely successful , internationally-known folk toy business.
When George decided to found a new company, he selected the name Homestead Folk Toys, a name chosen from his self-produced instrumental CD, "Homestead Memories." Using the product research, development and design techniques that he had perfected with his first business, George proceeded to develop a company that carries virtually ALL the products he had previously developed AND over 75 new and exciting product offerings! In addition, George added a popular line of nostalgic books to compliment his offerings.
All of the product offerings have been carefully researched and designed by George to insure historical accuracy; Toys such as the Hornbook, Battledore and Shuttlecock, 'Ring the Hob' Outdoor Quoits, Native American Corncob Darts game, Five Stones, Marble-Shooter and the incredibly popular 'Hand Fan.'
With the aid of four generations of toymakers, George is committed to producing historically accurate American-made folk toys. Through Homestead Folk Toys, he is able to provide quality folk toys at reasonable competitive prices. Homestead Folk Toys puts the customer first with its fast and friendly service.
100% Customer Satisfaction is the motto.
Many of you have known George and all that he has contributed to the
field of American folk toys for years. George and his staff genuinely
appreciate all your support through the years, a tradition that began
in 1973, and look forward to serving you for years to come...
Step one in producing a folk toy is milling selected logs into
dimensional lumber. All of our Made-in-the-USA folk toys are
crafted from American hardwoods, such as birch, beech, maple,
poplar, oak and sassafras.
The next step is the actual crafting process.
All of our Made-in-the-USA folk toys and
crafts are hand-made in
our local woodworking facility, carrying on the tradition
that began in a colonial woodworking shop such as this one.
We have several other woodworkers located across
Indiana , who have been trained to craft these items
with the same specifications and dedication to quality
and detail.
Carrying on a centuries-old tradition, the completed folk toys
and many of our other items, such as as the folk doll kits and
craft kits, are assembled in our rustic setting in Brown County.
This log cabin is typical of the types of buildings that have
been used for home-crafting through the years.
Many of our American folk craft kits, such as our Drop Spindle kit
and Colonial Loom, Homestead Peg Loom and My First Weaving Loom,
require the use of wool roving and natural yarns, when possible.
A nearby sheep farm produces thousands of pounds of carded sheep's
fleece annually and remains a reliable source for crafters
everywhere.