Every so often someone asks me, "So where do your toys actually come from?"
And when I tell them, I usually get a little surprised look.... followed by a big smile. I LOVE that moment. So with gift-shopping season sneaking up on all of us, I thought I'd pull back the curtain and show you where your Bannor Toys really begin.
It started in a basement
Jesse and I started Bannor Toys in 2011 in our basement workshop. It was tiny! A little table saw, a small drill press, a beginner's scroll saw and Jesse's grandpa's sander. That's it. I was running an in-home daycare at the time and handling the office, bookkeeping and design side of things, and Jesse was the one out in the shop.
We had no idea what Bannor Toys would turn into. Orders kept coming, we outgrew that basement fast, and we moved into a bigger workshop building that was just sitting empty on our property. We started this business with a very small amount of money in the bank and a big vision, and we've tried to stay true to that ever since.
Where they're made today
Here's the honest, current answer: most of our toys are still made in our own workshop here in Iowa. And these days, I'm the one making them. 🙋♀️
A lot has changed over the years. Jesse and I also run our hardware store now, so we downsized Bannor Toys to something I can pour my heart into without it swallowing our whole family. Jesse is still very much part of the story (he's the other half of the Bannor in Bannor Toys!), and come the holidays he steps up big with the kids and the store so I can focus on your orders.
A few things you might not know about how your toy gets made:
- It's made to order. Most toys aren't sitting on a shelf waiting for you. When you order, that's when your toy gets made.
- Personalization happens right here. Names, birth stats and little messages are engraved on our laser in the workshop.
- Each toy gets real hands-on time. On average every toy takes me about 5–8 minutes start to finish, personalization included. That's a lot of minutes when you add them all up.... and I wouldn't trade it.
- The materials are simple. Our wood toys are natural, unstained hardwood (think maple and cherry), and many get an organic beeswax + flaxseed finish.
- Safety matters. Our toys are CPSC Compliant. They were third-party lab tested, and we inspect and test them in-house every year.
And because I want to be totally upfront with you: our silicone pieces (like teethers and silicone blocks) are manufactured in China and third-party safety tested in the USA. You'll find that noted in the FAQ on each silicone product page, too.
Why it matters (especially right now)
When you buy from a small shop like ours, there's a real person on the other end. During the holiday season that person is me, usually back in the workshop after my kids are in bed, shipping orders late into the night. Some nights it's 100+ orders. It's tiring, and it's also some of my favorite work of the whole year, because I know these toys are headed under trees and into stockings.
That's the whole reason we started: we wanted to make toys that last. Toys that are simple and fun, a little whimsical, and sturdy enough to be handed down. An heirloom isn't something you buy because it's flashy.... it's something that holds up to years of love and still has a story to tell.
So the next time someone asks where your Bannor toy came from, you can tell them: a small family workshop, made to order by a working mom who is so grateful you chose her. ❤️
A few holiday notes
If you're starting your list, a few favorites people love to gift are our Personalized Name Blocks, the Wooden Tractor, and the New Baby Gift Box for any little ones arriving this season.
Our yearly free personalized wooden ornament is back November 1–15 with any $25+ purchase (while supplies last). Shipping is free in the USA on orders $60+, and orders are processed in 1–4 business days. To ship before the USPS holiday cutoff, please get your order in by Tuesday, December 15.
Thank you for supporting our little workshop. It means more than you know.
-Stacey
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