Naked Tree Toys founders make blocks with plenty of fun, no contaminants

WEST JORDAN — It was 41 years ago, but Len Carson still remembers a much-loved gift: A handmade set of sturdy wooden blocks in different shapes that he and his four brothers played with for hours.

When Carson and his wife, Heather, had their six children, Carson's parents gave them the set, and another generation still plays with the toys.

"When we looked around to give some as gifts, we couldn't find any," Carson said.

Before long, the couple came up with the idea of manufacturing and selling sets of blocks that would be attractive, durable, fun to play with and — a huge factor for them — free of lead or other contaminants.

They launched their company, Naked Tree Toys, about three months ago and, after some slow sales, are starting to see some momentum growing.

They sell the toys on their website, nakedtreetoys.com, as well as on etsy.com, a site designed to help crafters market their handmade wares.

The toys truly are "naked," just simple beech wood blocks that all fit together. There are rectangles, squares, columns, pieces shaped like the letter "L" and arches. There is one new twist: some flat pieces of wood that can serve as platforms, roofs or anything else.

"You can stack the stuff up and build your building a little bit higher," Len Carson said.

They have no paint, varnish, dyes or stains, contain no lead, and the company logo is burned into each piece.

"You shouldn't have to be worried about what your kids are playing with," Len Carson said. "There are so many other things to worry about."

The blocks cost $89 for a 40-piece set and $169 for a 90-piece set.

The Carsons sought out someone they knew, Jeff Homer, who owns Copper Canyon Design, to cut and smooth the blocks.

"I like it that it's local," Heather Carson said of the new business. "Jeff is our neighbor."

In addition, the Carsons use plain brown paper for wrapping, and they use "as little excess packaging and waste as possible," she said.

The Carsons say their three girls and three boys play with their father's old block set for hours on end, making forts, castles, bridges, roads and anything else young imaginations can conjure up.

They are hoping to hit some gift and craft shows for the Christmas holidays and prepare for a boost in online purchases.

There also is something satisfying about supplying a simple, old-fashioned toy that is fun for children and can take plenty of hard knocks.

"It's a toy you can play with for generations," Len Carson said.

e-mail: lindat@desnews.com