Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Open Ended Creations, LLC. In Michaela's words:
"Welcome to Open Ended Creations, LLC. Where the imagination and mind of the child is a playground to be enjoyed. Our feature product - the “Curvy Board”- is a Waldorf Inspired Creation. We would like to share a vision of hope and learning. May this simple tool be the key to unlocking the Treasures of Imagination and Creativity in your Child’s Soul and Play.
Watch our video of the the Curvy Board in motion."
SouleMama: Tell us about your background. What path led you to the work you do today?
Michaela: Open Ended Creations, LLC originated in 2009. It is at the very heart, dedication, and vision of both Michaela & Cole Heller. The name of our business is the foundation from which we stand. The use of our products and creations are in the Possibilities, Discovery and Dreams of the beholder. The child.
With five children in our family; we had our eyes re-opened when we were introduced and welcomed into the Waldorf community. Within this new discovery came a deeper understanding of the possibility and the inspiration to recreate our lives and provide a stronger, more balanced, and enriched environment for our children to play, create, and enjoy life’s simple treasures.
“More is less,” is a valuable saying. We are committed to creating and developing open-ended toys that enrich the lives of all children. We have been part of the Waldorf Community for over the past 7 years. During the time when our son was in Playgroup the teacher at the time was Mrs. Uschi. She had approached both of us and asked for our help in making a few rocker boards for her classroom. At the time there was no one that you could find that was making a wooden Rocker Board, a need was thus pointed out to us. With the love of creating and woodworking within us; a small seed was planted and thus began to sprout. Over time our initial board has evolved into what you now see today.
SouleMama: What's the product or offering that you are most excited about in your shop right now? Tell us about it.
Michaela: Curvy Boards! It’s a teeter-totter, balance beam, slide, boat, bridge, and… anything else your child can dream up. The unlimited range of possibilities is what makes Open Ended Toys the ideal learning tools/toys for the 21st century learning skills.
Each board is handmade and crafted from 9 layers of poplar plywood, sanded smooth, and finished with varnish. Making it durable and long lasting. Each board offers its unique design from nature; no two are alike. Choose from 3 finishes, Natural, Golden Oak and Walnut. The Curvy Board is handcrafted in the U.S.A.
SouleMama: How does the balance of family and work play out for you? If applicable, how has motherhood affected the work you do?
Michaela: Motherhood completely changed my course of life and our Families. Before having a child I had a lot of plans and dreams and aspirations. I wasn’t always very clear on how everything would work out exactly, just always jumped both feet in. All those plans gradually changed right beneath my feet, one day at a time with the birth of our first son, I instantly became a stay at home Mom. With the birth of our second son and the idea of wanting to introduce school to our first son; we began a mommy and me playgroup class with our son at the local Waldorf School. Our children open-end our hearts an eyes to a new form of education and brought Waldorf education to the for-front of our minds.
We have two older children who both went through traditional school and it gave us a good basis of what needed to be different when looking for a school for our younger children. Once we found Waldorf it was love at first sight. Within a few years I myself enrolled into the Foundation’s Program at our local Waldorf School, and am currently working towards my goal of becoming a Waldorf Teacher. I am currently working as an assistant teacher in the early childhood department. Teaching was always a thought I had within my heart and is slowing becoming a part of me.
For today's giveaway, Open Ended
Creations is generously offering the following gift to ONE winner:
~ One Curvy Board (with shipping) for US Readers!
or$100 gift certificate to the etsy shop for International Readers!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To
enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person,
please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Monday, and
announce the winner, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed! The winner is:
Looks like great fun!
Posted by: Ev
Thank you, Open Ended Creations!
