Toy Safety
The Bungalow was quoted in an article about toy safety along with a nice picture of our very own Rocket Rob. Read more about toy safety on the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s website.
Little Red and the Wolf
I’ve been developing a story-book character set of people and animals. Red Riding Hood is needlessly violent and mean. I’ve reworked it with help from public domain images and text. Sort of like that Pride and Prejudice and Vampires. Except with no vampires and not a hint of Mr. Darcy.
In a little thatched cottage, by the side of a wood, Lived an young lass, Little Red Riding Hood.
You would scarce find her equal, the neighbors all tell; so kind and smart, so cheerful and well. The rippling brook, their water from far off mountains brought; and prattled of their summits in icy statues wrought.
For them, the squirrels hoarded their nuts in hollow trees; and pounds of sweetest honey were made them by the bees. To gather these together was work enough to do; Little Red Riding Hood thought so, and so, no doubt, would you.
Blushing beneath her fingers looked up the berries red; The flowers seemed to know her and listened for her tread. Smart, loving, and beautiful as good, with daily acts of kindness, Little Red Riding Hood.
One day this young lass, to her Grandma was sent, a nice pot of butter, for her to present. Along with a cheesecake, and a new loaf of bread, for Grandma was ill and confined to her bed.
Fatigued of rhyming, off our dear Red departed. The sky was clear and the weather fair as our maiden passed peaceful pastures where gentle cows grazed away the day. Red stopped to pick flowers to cheer her grandma. Bunnies hopped along, their noses twitching as they sniffed the flowers. With a choice clutch of primrose and marigolds Red skipped down the path.
Her path led through an ancient forest, its canopy thick. So thick that the bright sun light was dim in the forest. Our Red was nervous yes, but she was also a brave young girl and marched on. For she knew her grandmother was ill and depended upon our Red.
Ahead Little Red saw a figure, but in the dim light could not make be certain who it was. “Grandma? Grandma is that you?” The figure stepped closer and Red saw its big eyes. “Grandma?”
“No dear. I’m not your grandma, I’m a wolf.”
“Oh yes.” Red stopped walking. “I should have known by your big eyes.”
“Yes, I do have big eyes, to better see my children with.” The wolf looked nervously behind her.
“My grandma could use big eyes to see me better. She doesn’t see so well anymore.”
“That is ashame. I’m sorry, but I must be off now. Do look after yourself in these woods, it is not a safe place for young people.”
And in a flash the wolf was gone and Little Red was again alone in the forest. She was a little scared, but continued on. She walked for a time, all the while the forest grew darker, and then another figure appeared. Hesitantly Little Red called out, “Hello, who’s there?” Then wishfully added. “Grandma?”
“No,” called the figure, “it is I, the wolf again.”
“Oh yes of course.” Little Red stopped. “Your ears are much too big.”
“Yes to better hear my children with. I can hear them playing far away. They’re playing quite a distance from us, but my sharp ears can hear them.”
“Oh.” Quietly. “My grandma has much trouble hearing me.”
“Dear, are you all right? I could walk with you to your grandmothers. I mean you no harm. I will again.”
Brave Little Red straightened her back. “Thank you, but I am fine. I have made this journey before.”
“Well, do take care then.” And off the wolf went.
Without incident Red emerged on the other side of the forest to a considerably brighter sky. Less than a mile ahead was her grandmother’s cozy cottage. Feeling quite happy she skipped along the path.
And just around the bend Red saw her grandma’s home, but our brave helper felt someone watching her.
From the bushes perhaps? She stopped, looked, and saw great teeth. “Who, who’s there?”
From the bushes emerged a panting figure, mouth open, and teeth showing – the wolf. “Oh, little dear I’m sorry to startle you again. But I worry. It’s my nature. When I saw you walking alone.” She stopped to catch her breath. “I’ve been running back and forth between you and my children to keep a watch over you both. I only wanted to see you safely to your grandmother’s door. I didn’t want to surprise you again.”
“That is so kind of you. I can see my grandma’s door from here. Perhaps when I make this journey again, you could walk with me and I could meet your children.”
“Yes, what a marvelous idea! I shall look for you, if you will do the same.” Red smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, my ears hear my children calling for me.”
“Certainly.” And off the wolf went.
Little Red soon thereafter had tea with her grandma and relayed the tale of her most exciting journey through the woods.
M.A.I.D. r3
Introducing the newest Happy Bungalow Robot. For sale at Happy Bungalow’s Etsy shop.
The M.A.I.D. r3 (Mechanical Automated Independent Domestic revision 3) was the first successful humanoid domestic assistant produced by CleanBotics.
The revision 3 followed the overly ambitious revision 2 (nicknamed MADs). The revision 2s were humanoid in shape, but had 4 arms – so they could work faster by performing simultaneous tasks. In an attempt to break into the hospitality market speed was emphasized over safety, resulting in great damage to property. Numerous lawsuits followed a brief two month service run.
The revision 3 was given softer lines, only two arms, and was introduced through a massive public relations campaign: choice product placement, celebrity endorsement, and appearances on popular television shows. The 3s served the domestic market exclusively, were reliable, and a tremendous success.
This model is a scale reproduction of the original rendered in red oak.
Couldn’t we all use a robot to vacuum our floors while serving drinks?
Robots!
The whole Happy Bungalow crew (and a few outside consultants) have been hard at work developing a new product line – Robots. The robots are scale reproductions of “actual” robots. Each robot is poseable, rearrangeable, and all kinds of fun. Yes, I own a dictionary. Each robot is issued as a limited edition series and comes with and information card explaining the history of the robot. Future work on happybungalow.com will expand on the backstory of each r0bot.
First off the line is the XR14-J
The XR14s (experimental robot model 14) were the first independent humanoid robots developed by the XyThanP Corp. Designed as a test bed for future production robots, parts and components could easily be exchanged and upgraded.
The variant J robot was designed to test long term exposure to harsh environments. Variant Js were deployed in pairs to the Centaurus A galaxy on mapping and exploration missions. While the robots primary goal was to test their systems and limits, the Js gathered databases full of scientific information.
This model is a scale reproduction of the original robot. The original materials have been rendered in oak, walnut, and steel. Magnetic parts replicate the interchangeable design of the original testbed robot.
Right now you can purchase the robot in person at one of our shows (click here) or at our etsy shop.
EDIT 2015: Oh, how the times are changing. Buy a robot from our ever growing line of robots in our online toy shop here.
Wee Folk Fairy Fest – Post Show
I’ve been taking lots of new product pictures and working on the etsy shop these past few days, but I wanted to recap the latest show before it’s too far from my memory. A lot has changed since my first show a little more than a month ago. The booth display looks much better and there’s more neat product on display.
I had the time to finish the tables with tung oil which really helps them pop. I shifted the alignment of the tables as well, and more densely packed items. I also have the super nifty tree display.
Gone is the red paper with handwritten prices. Also gone are the painted clocks. Not making a second appearance was the train set on the ground. There’s a whole separate blog post (or three) about that thing.
The animals were the biggest seller from the last show and they were again this show. I moved them to the center table to give them more visibility. Once again people like the dollhouse bookends – who wouldn’t? They’re so darn cute. The new hardwood clocks got quite a few nods as well. I appreciate all the kind comments given.
The show itself had a lot of activities for the family – a petting zoo, music, belly dancers, singers and dancers, and a parade. My kids had to leave before the parade, but had a great time before they left.
Happy Bungalow’s First Arts and Crafts Show
Happy Bungalow’s first arts and crafts show was this past Saturday. The show was around the corner and down the street from my house. This allowed the whole Happy Bungalow crew to attend (my wife, the kids, and I). There was a good crowd turnout and a there was a full array of vendors to buy from. Here’s how my booth looked:
Not only was it my first show, it was my first day selling to the public as well. I was super nervous and for the past few weeks I’ve been focused on little else than the show. Months ago I planned to buy folding tables, but a few weeks ago changed my mind. So I made four wood tables that I could take apart for easier transport. I also made a sign, stands for the clocks, and business card holders. I wasn’t happy with the greenish buckets at the corners, but they kept the awning from flying away (bonus). I thought I could make some (nice) plywood containers and fill them with sand or concrete. We’ll see.
At the finishing stage of the sign I had an accident and before I could do anything the accident dried. My wife couldn’t spot it, so maybe it’s not so bad. Along with the sign I put a sample of all the products on the table. Quite a few people stopped to look. Everyone loves the cute dollhouses and the animals. People liked the knobs too. The tables were unfinished (not enough time) so the rest of the unfinished wood products blended into the table. My wife had the idea to put paper on the table – sort of like butcher’s paper. This worked well as I wrote descriptions of the product and prices on the paper. I like the concept, but I’d like to find a different color paper.
You can get a closer look at the tables – the legs are planed lumber and the tops are birch veneered plywood. They’re lightweight and universally interchangeable. The animals were a big hit – especially the walnut animals. I’ll be making more of those soon. This is where Happy Bungalow’s first sale came from. Not a dollar, but a twenty – I’ll frame it anyway. A super sweet lady at the next booth came over to congratulate me. I made more sales later, handed out business cards, and talked to a lot of people. I can’t wait for the next show.
The Playhouse that Started it All
As I mentioned in my last post, here’s the indoor playhouse that I built for my daughter (before my son was born). The concept was a gypsy-wagon – the fabric roof and the swing out doors that make up the back wall (also handy for an adult entrance).
The siding is recycled wood from a previous kitchen renovation project (wood that has been involved in three other projects). It turned out I had JUST enough wood to do the trick, though it took numerous layouts on the floor and swip-swapping of pieces to make it work. Sort of like a devious math puzzle.
I made the hinges (except for old metal hinge pins) from wood and finished them with a torch – a technique I used for the knobs in my kitchen. Inside is a metal wall perfect for magnets. The roof is a cool old tablecloth.
