ABOUT US
Chaos Woods is artist team, Terry Snow and Sarah Snow. We collaborate to make sculpture, gifts, turned vessels and bowls, boxes, wood burnings, toys, and unique home furnishings, including lamps, out of wood with surprising juxtapositions, exceptional craftsmanship and a touch of chaos.
Contact us today for direct purchases at chaoswoodsatx@gmail.com.
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Two prize pieces of equipment stand out in our shop: the wood turning lathe and the pyrography (wood burning) machine. Terry has honed the craft of turning wood and Sarah of burning designs on it. However, we frequently diverge as inspiration takes us. In addition to the bowls, vessels and magic wands that Terry turns he also carves, cuts, shapes, and assembles wood and other materials in multifaceted ways. Likewise, in addition to drawing on wood with fire, Sarah may use paint, collage or other various means to enhance our unique one-of-a-kind creations.
Some of our toy collection
We live in Lockhart, Texas surrounded by musicians, artists and weirdos. We care about the environment we live in and want to make a positive contribution. Working with our hands and our imaginations we have a lot of fun. Our inventions are inspired by a lot of things including a love of unique toys, fine art, traditional crafts, surrealism, the absurd and comic books.
Our Signature
Our Chaos Woods mark. It's a simplified chaos star with a letter c and w. It is also referenced in our logo.
Our Logo
Our logo was designed with the help of Misa Yamamoto.
Our process
We come up with an idea and sometimes brainstorm about it. Then one of us will usually draw a sketch. After that we might just go for it or we'll make a prototype out of scraps in the shop. Frequently, we make jigs and stencils to make production faster but each piece has details making it unique.
Learn more from our Annie's Artist Lookbook post and Creative Whimsy interview article.
About the Materials We Use
We care about the environment and want to make a positive contribution. We look for material we can recycle and purchase recycled whenever possible. We’re even learning to dry and season our own wood from fallen trees. The majority of the wood we buy is U.S.A. poplar. Because poplar is so easy and quick to grow, it’s said to be unrivaled in its environmental & forest sustainability. We may use general woodworking and durable polyurethane finishes on our lamps and other furniture but our toys are colored with acrylic paint, certified by ACMI to be non-toxic, food coloring or homemade fruit and vegetable dyes.
About Age Appropriateness of Our Toys
Supervise your children during playtime with all toys.
Not all children develop at the same rate. You know your child best so use your good judgement when deciding what toys she or he is mature enough to play with safely.
These recommendations are based on online research, competitive analysis and what our friends with kids say:
Generally, pull toys with teethers and push toys can be introduced as soon as baby's old enough to hold up his or her own head but are ideal for kiddos around 9 months to adult. The teethers we make are un-treated and double sanded. They're also designed to be too big to choke on and the pull toy ropes are at least as short as the industry recommended length.
Rubber band gun toys and other toys that propel objects are probably best for those 6 years and up. Some of our tank robots come without triggers and are great for kids as young as 4 years old.
Small cork cars are safe except if the wheels break loose. Stay particularly cautious with children 3 years and under.
Our small tops are not recommended for those children under 4 years old.
Now, for something exceptionally cute!
Our fur babies, Dahlia, Fezzik and Burly
We wouldn't be enjoying all this without our friends, family and mentors.
Links & Resources
Cohorts & Collaborators
Inspiration
Bob Gilsdorf, author of Zany Wooden Toys that Whiz, Spin, Pop and Fly. http://thetoyinventorsworkshop.com
Woodworking classes at Austin Community College's Building and Construction Technology program.
PBS Woodworking shows, Woodsmith Shop
Rootin' Ridge