Swift River Toys & Crafts

We have been very busy at Swift River. Our new website is up and running. We hope you find what you need with comfort and ease as you shop at our new store.

We now offer a full line of house play items that include our favorite wooden play kitchen form Elves and Angels in Maine. Your little chef will love all of the things that go with his kitchen like our new wooden fruits and veggies to cook in our new pots and pan.

“We believe that the things children are surrounded by have an impact on how they grow and are formed.  We are committed to making the very highest quality products available anywhere.  We hope children will perceive in our products a sense of beauty, and the love of a job well done.  Our Lifetime Guarantee assures you of Heirloom Quality Products that can be handed down from one generation to the next.  We at Elves and Angels strive not to participate in the disposable society.  Our culture teaches children that you buy things only to throw them away.  We want you and your child to see the care that is put into this product line, to enjoy it, and then to pass it on.”

As I have watched my three children grow, I have looked forward to birthday celebrations the most.  I love honoring the child on that special day. We have delighted in our birthday ring tradition for years. Each birthday, when the ring is unboxed, the children help to set up the ring and choose the ornaments full of giggles and memories. We leave the decorated ring on the table as a centerpiece for the entire day. It lends such a festive and joyful air to the room. Swift River is proud to now offer a full line of birthday and seasonal rings and ornaments.

Here is a little history on the birthday rings. The Birthday Ring is a part of the age-old traditional European birthday celebration. Typically made from wood, the ring usually has 12 open holes. For each year of the child’s age, you place a candle in one of the holes and light it. The remaining holes are filled with ornaments or cards that represent your child’s experiences. The decorations are often simple painted figurines or wood cut-outs that have pegs that fit into the open holes. The ring is a very symbolic way to celebrate a birthday.

I could never say enough on the importance of dolls in our house. When my son was 2 years old, he and I washed and carded wool and made our first Waldorf baby doll named Twyla. Seven years later, she still sleeps in his bed and is loved dearly. Having twin 5 year old girls as well, we  have a family of dolls to keep Twyla company. Over the years, I have witnessed the deep love and and emotional bond between my children and  their dolls. It is clear when you watch their play why the dolls appearance are intentionally simple. It has allowed my children to determine the dolls mood such as, happy, sad or sleepy depending on the scene they have created. I have seen them play with other dolls that have sleepy eyes and they only put these dolls to bed and the same is true with other facial expressions. We now offer a full line of Waldorf dolls and accessories. These handmade dolls bring children the gift of creativity and imagination.

Warm regards,

Tara Peirce