Hi, I’m Charlotte, the maker behind Sweet Potato Village.
Each day in the workshop is a balance of creativity, focus, and care as I craft toys designed to bring joy to children. What started as a personal project has grown into a family business, and we're so grateful for the loyal community that supports us.
It all begins with carefully chosen, natural wood. Each piece is selected for its unique grain and durability, ensuring that every toy has its own personality. My goal is to create toys that are not only safe but also thoughtfully designed and beautiful in their simplicity.
In the early days, I crafted every piece entirely by hand. As demand grew, I added a CNC machine to help shape the basic blocks, allowing me to keep up with orders while maintaining my high standards. Even with this tool, the process remains hands-on, as each piece is individually refined and finished to ensure it meets the level of quality my customers expect.
Every toy goes through careful inspection at every stage of the process. We're constantly assessing strength and looking for any cracks or weak spots. Toys that don’t meet my standards won’t make it out of the workshop. For designs with cutouts or finer details, we go even further by performing drop tests during the testing phase. This ensures that each toy can withstand enthusiastic play and remain sturdy over time.
One of the most enjoyable parts of the process is adding detail through pyrography, or wood burning. Using a heated tool, we carefully etch designs into the wood’s surface, creating patterns inspired by nature. From whimsical animals to ocean life, these designs bring each toy to life and make it truly one of a kind.
After the designs are complete, we bring them to life with food-grade dyes that complement the natural beauty of the wood. Throughout the process, each piece has been sanded three times so far, to achieve a smooth, touchable finish. Finally, we apply a natural shellac, lightly sand once more, and then they’re finished with a natural wax for protection and a polished look.
Sweet Potato Village began as a solo endeavor, but it has grown into a family project. My husband and other relatives now work alongside me in the workshop, and their involvement makes each toy even more special.
Crafting toys is about more than making something beautiful—it’s about creating pieces that inspire creativity, spark joy, and encourage meaningful play. Knowing that each toy is a part of a child’s world, helping them explore, imagine, and learn, motivates me to put my heart into everything we make.
From the entire Sweet Potato Village team, we're so happy you've found us and thankful for each and every one of our customers!
Sincerely,
The Makers At Sweet Potato Village