Oh where to start this week? I have been thinking about this blog for a bit but just have not got round to putting fingers to keyboard (remember when we used to say 'pen to paper'?) Oh but I do digress.... Incidentally, can you remember the first email you ever received, or text message for that matter? Truly one is showing her age. As always there has been lots happening. Heaps of Christmas catalogue stock has arrived, with some great specials from Le Toy Van, Djeco and Voila. The catalogue specials officially start from November 1; however a few are already loaded into our eStore. One of these is a tin fairy tea set for $29.95, which I know is going to be a best seller. With all this stock arriving we have officially outgrown our warehouse (not bad considering we didn't even have a warehouse 18 months ago). So our overflow stock is being held at another storage facility as we gear up for a bumper Christmas.
We are also right in the middle of a website re-design. You can't notice any difference yet, as it is being done on a test server. The re-design is aimed at making your shopping experience easier. The main change is going to be a re-categorisation of items, with new product groupings that should be intuitively easier to use. We are planning on switching over to the new site by the end of October. Fingers crossed it will be a seamless transition! We have more than 200 new items available this month alone, however you won't be seeing them until we switch over to the new site. We promise they are well worth waiting for. To finish with I need to share this gem with you. We were at the servo and Connor (age 7 today) was 'interpreting' the icons with the lines through them telling you what you are not allowed to do. "Mummy, there is No Smoking, No talking on your phone, and No children watering the cars to make them grow". Priceless!!
Every now and again you come across an item that knocks your socks off. Truly honestly and cross my heart, this building block set from Haba should be a part of every toy library or play room. I know I wax lyrical about certain products, but this set deserves all the praise I give it. There are wooden blocks, and then there ARE wooden blocks; this is the latter. The extra large set has 102 pieces of high quality untreated beech wood that are strong and durable. They have a lovely smooth finish and the variety of shapes means that everyone from babies to master architects can enjoy them. The clever thing about Haba blocks is that all shapes are based on a 4x4x4cm cube, meaning that any structures built can have symmetry and stability if you so desire. They blocks are also compatible with the Haba marble track system (just imagine the possibilities!). In terms of play value, these rank right up there. I've had this set at home now for a couple of months, and customers are surprised when I tell them that Connor (6 years) and Reilly (4 years) play with them heaps. Not to mention Sean (late 40 something years) who has come up with some amazing creations! If you only buy one toy this year, make an investment in these blocks.
It's been another very busy week here, though to be fair, they are all busy. I can't quite recall a week in which so much new stock has arrived, almost at once. The staff always a have a dig at me letting me know that I have over-ordered, or haven't 'phased' new products in over the year. But honestly, cross my heart etc etc, a lot of the time it is new stock that was ordered ages ago (to make sure we didn't miss out) and then it all seems to pitch at the same time. You can never quite predict when things are going to show up, so you just roll with the punches.
So which of the new items have knocked my socks off? Well I have to say that I just adore this new Janod walker wagon. The colours are divine and would suit either a boy or girl. It includes blocks and an abacus on the front. There were also quite a few other new items from Janod including a stunning pink wooden pram, a magnetic playboard and magnetic dress up sets. From Goki there is a lovely new Kalimba (thumb piano) and wooden castle blocks. We also received another shipment of Fairy Girls dress ups, with a new ladybird outfit that it too cute.
Sparkle T are an Australian designed wooden toy company who make a range of imaginative play sets that are quite unique. We had a HUGE delivery of their products this week. Our favourites are the 'I Love' series. These are sets of building blocks based on iconic cities and buildings of the world (Sydney, London, Paris, Pisa and the Great Wall of China). The wooden tea sets and kitchen role play items are bright, colourful and just a little bit quirky - we love them. Another fav is the wooden medical doctor set, which is the best I have seen in any doctor/nurses range.
We also are now swimming in a sea of Wedgits, courtesy of a whole bunch of items that were not previously available in Australia. A new agent has taken over the distribution of Wedgits, and decided to increase the range available in Oz (good move we say). Wedgits are without a doubt the most versatile construction 'toy' we have. I am using the inverted commas on the word 'toy' as Wedgits are far more than this. They truly are an item that challenge people from age 2-102. You can add to your sets (as all items are compatible) and they provide stimulation for hours of open ended play. The new items in the range include a whole series of mini wedgits that are 40% smaller than regular wedgits. Obviously these are best suited to children a little older, from 5 years. There are also several more accessory packs, plus class packs are now available in both regular and mini wedgits.
Finally, just had to share this pic with you. I try not work after school as Connor normally has things
on I need to take him to. However one afternoon this week he didn't, and I needed to keep working. He is a dino nut, so he grabbed one of the dino fossil digs from the retail store and started excavating away while he was waiting for me in the warehouse. I left him to it and this is the result. His hair had nice 'sandy' highlights and there were hunks of rock everywhere; but he managed to get his precious 'fossil' out. Ah, the joys of childhood.
Wednesday is my day off, well sort of. Reilly has a break from kindy as we have found that 5 days in a row just tires him out too much. So he comes to the shop with me, and does a craft class with Bec, while I answer the very long list of email queries that arrives overnight. Then we have a special lunch together and pick up Connor. Today he was hooning around the shop on a Gyro car, so I decided to treat him and bring one home. Colour selection is interesting, as he is very in touch with his feminine side and lurvs pink. When I told him it was called Princess Pink he was less enamoured with it, but took it home all the same. So here are some pics of quintessential Australian kids at play - the ocean in the background (in this case it's actually the Coral Sea), a blue heeler and a couple of scraggly haired kids having some fun.
It's been a week of proximal control (as I like to call it) at Entropy. Bec, our retail store manager got back from her soiree to Melbourne to see the brilliant Pink and indulge in some fine food and choccies from Haigh's. So it has been all hands on deck, which means I get to actually do some of my own work for a change. When I have spare time I spend it trying to source new products that have the 'wow' factor. Of course managing to get them to Australia at a reasonable price for you guys is the next challenge. Fortunately the exchange rate has picked up a bit, which makes things more realistic. So stay tuned for some new arrivals (as always).
So what's been hot this week? For the eStore it has definitely been Microscooters. These high quality scooters offer the ultimate riding experience. They have slightly larger wheels than most scooters, and better quality components and bearings; which all results in a smoother ride. We are a microscooting family; I ride the White which has huge 200mm wheels (very cruisy), hubby rides the Monster Bullet with fat carving wheels, Connor (6 years) rides the Light and Reilly (4 years) rides the Mini Micro. It is a heap of fun head down the Strand on the weekend for a scoot; plus of course we stop at Cold Rock for a treat. The parent models are mostly rated to 100kg; so are suitable for both Mums and Dads. Scooting is a nice family activity, plus has the bonus of incidental exercise for everyone. Hugh Jackman is a great fan of Microscooters, and we all know what good shape he is in! Here he is riding the Monster Bullet, with his daughter on a Mini Micro.
Finally, a huge Mummy plug for Connor, who completed his first fun run (5km) last weekend. He was too young to officially enter, so he wore my race number; plus got his photo in the paper to boot!
It's hard to know where to start with all things Entropy this week. That is, my world feels like there is entropy happening everywhere. It has been so busy this week in both the retail and eStore, there has almost been a Christmas feeling about it. We are told the recession is far from over, but perhaps glimmers of confidence are starting to radiate their way through. First I have to let you know that I did indeed back some winners last weekend at the races. Our lovely Australian Air Express driver Daniel gave me his hot tips, and they were both on the mark. The bookies will live to work another day; but I still managed to sort out the babysitter and my beloved's parking ticket, plus have some change. It's a little strange to call it a winter racing carnival, given that the weather was in the mid 20s. Kind of hard to dress for as well; as I feel that stockings and gloves are du jour, but it did get a little warm in them. Ok, that's enough about the races, now to what's been happening in the store.
Lots and lots of new stock this week. The latest release Flik Flak watches came in; 11 new styles. I'm really loving the two Aussie designs; one is in blue and the other brown, with traditional aboriginal art work. There are also some new models with synthetic bands, these wear really well and are popular with older children; from about 7 years. Entropy is the only retailer in Australia with the rights to sell Flik Flak online, and there are now 76 different models available. There is something for everyone; even I wear one for day to day use. We also had new stock of Corolle dolls; the Calin and Tidoo bath dolls. We are expecting our import of special order Corolle dolls any day now. We have a long list of customers with special requests; and their dolls will be on the way soon. We also have a couple of new models of the super popular microscooters available. Today we had a special delivery of our favourite tea sets. These were really well supported in our Christmas catalogue last year; and now they are available again. We have managed to discount them to $34.95, which is great value for a 20 piece set.
Finally, it's our two year birthday next week! I can't believe two years have gone by already. It's been great fun, and I've met some amazing people along the way. Thanks for all your support. I'm busy hatching up some birthday surprises for our eNews subscribers, facebook fans and twitter tweeters. More to come.
July is absolutely the best time of the year up here in North Queensland. I am loving all the events on at the moment, and there are lots of visitors as well. No doubt coming here to soak up the sun. This weekend is the Townsville Cup, which is one of the biggest social events on the calendar. It's an excuse (who needs one) to dress in all your finery and go and check out the fillies. Our retail store will be closed on Saturday; as we know that many of our hip and happening Mums will be getting ready for the races. As long as we are in horse racing celebratory mode, we figure you should be as well. So we have 15% off in the eStore all weekend. You need to enter the code EQUINE at checkout to get your discount. Your goodies will then be packed and sent Monday when we are back on deck. Our regulars know we only have these offers a few times throughout the year, so you better get racing!
Djeco of France use artists as the foundation for their high quality children's art and craft kits . They are exquisitely illustrated and packaged, making them ideal gifts. The instruction booklets are easy to follow as they contain high quality pictures rather than words. This allows for greater creativity and means children below reading age can also enjoy the activities.
Fashion Workshop - a kit that is suitable for older children that have a dream of becoming the next Collette Dinnigan! Set out in easy stages for an exquisite result. Age guide: from 9-15 years.
Draw Super Heroes - use this kit to create as many heroic, strong and brave characters as you can think of. Includes super hero templates, stickers, 10 felt tip brush pens and 32 colour background scenes.
Spring in Acid Colours - an exquisitely illustrated art by numbers set. Includes four pictures on hard cardboard stock & felt brush pens. The finished artworks can be framed and treasured.
July is absolutely the best time of the year up here in Townsville. Clear, crisp mornings and sunny days in the mid 20s. It's magic. There is heaps on too; lots of tourists about; and the odd whale swimming near the ferry route to Maggie Island. This week things are especially 'buzzy', as the V8s are on this weekend. Now I am the first to admit that I am really not a car enthusiast, but it would be hard not to get excited about 130 000 visitors in a town of 170 000 people. The tent city that most of them are staying in must be pretty impressive. Our retail store is right near the race track; so we have got into the spirit by making our window displays race day ready, with a plethora of vehicles on show. From Automoblox to Wonderworld, and everything in between; Bajo, Brio, Cito; Debresk, Djeco, Fagus, Haba, HaPe, Janod, John Crane, Le Toy Van, Pintoy, Playsam, the Toy Workshop, Vilac and Voila. We have more than 100 wooden cars to choose from, so our visitors can take home a nice souvenir of their time in the capital of North Queensland.
Children will love making their own jewellery with this timber bead set. Includes a variety of wooden beads and thread. Gift packaged in a keepsake love heart box. A great birthday present idea - stock up now for all those parties. Age guide: from 5 years.
Decorate windows, glass and mirrors with this craft kit. Includes 6 bottles of window paint, black outliner, 3 fine tips, brush, 2 patterns sheets of Australian animals, sheet holder and instructions. Age guide: from 5 years.
Leap into the world of ballet with this beautiful guide and accompanying DVD. From first positions to pirouettes, this book is a practical introduction to the world of ballet for all budding ballerinas. It features step by step photography; with clear, concise text to explain basic steps; and advanced versions to inspire young dancers. The DVD shows the steps in action and features two complete dances. Age guide: from 6 years.
Our mid year catalogue contains two pages of specials and will be distributed next week. Get in early, as most of the items are available now and have been loaded into eStore. There are some super bargains available; check out our best picks below.
We think these are one of the best bargains in our mid year catalogue. Speedy wooden racing cars available in three colours. They are box packaged, so make ideal gifts. They are a nice size for the price - 15cm long. Stock up now, they are perfect for all those birthday parties your wee one gets invited to. Age guide: from 3 years.
A brightly coloured ark full of fun! This soft Noah's Ark play set includes 6 friends who have come along for the ride - an elephant, hippo, lion, panda, giraffe and snake. Each of them rattles, squeaks or crinkles. They are travelling along in a fabric ark with peekaboo windows and roof with velcro opening. Age guide: from 6 months.
This kit it totally packed with pirate booty. Includes bandanna, eye patch, face paint crayons, temporary tattoos, compass, loot and a super activity book. Activities include punch outs, log books, buried treasure, a certificate, songs and games. Age guide: from 3 years.
School Holiday Activity Program
Last chance to book for the school holiday program. Some of the classes are already full. We always get a last minute rush; check the program and make your booking now.
eeBoo is an American company that produce beautiful, useful and well-made games and stationery for children. Using the original art of well known and well loved children's book illustrators they create vibrantly original toys and gifts that children will affectionately remember. All eeBoo products are beautifully packaged and make great gifts. Just arrived in store and sure to delight are the new releases for 2009.
eeBoo Paper dolls
New from eeBoo for 2009 are these thoughtful girl paper doll fashion kits. Each set comes with a two sided stand up scene that creates two rooms, two thoughtful girl paper dolls, and two sheets of reusable electrostatic vinyl clothes and accessories. Take a lovely walk back to yesteryear with this retro inspired gift
eeBoo Tell me a story
‘Tell me a story' sets from eeBoo are created with original art from wonderful children's book illustrators. They are designed to help children form creative individual stories of their own. Each pack contains a set of 36 fancifully illustrated flash cards in a sliding tray box. Instructions are included for a variety of games and activities. This is an imaginative pre-reading activity for the whole family.
eeBoo - Write me a Story
eeBoo are masters at making wonderfully creative open ended toys and gifts. These ‘write me a story ' sets are a classic example of this. They are ‘do it yourself' story books that come with images linked around a theme. They are open ended, allowing children to create their own stories around the images. The images are actually stickers, which children can use to sequence and tell a story around. It's suitable for pre-school aged children, who can tell their story to an attentive listener who will write it down for them. It's equally appropriate for an early primary school aged child who may be capable of writing the story themselves. Either way, the result is a very original tale that will be treasured for a lifetime.
eeBoo also have some new releases in their spinner games series. These are fun party games that get everyone involved. Their retro inspired 'Pin the tail' themed games are also a hoot. New travel versions of popular memory and matching games are also available.
A recent exchange with a customer in our retail store has led me to muse over the concept of childhood and the innocence of play. The customer was looking for a gift for their grandson; and told me that she didn’t really expect anything in Entropy to be suitable as he was really past the stage of toys. So, how old was he? The grand old age of 6, in fact! After I got over the shock, I went on to explain that we do in fact have lots of choices for children over the age of 6 which are not electronic, and you are never too old to have fun a toy shop. People come into Entropy for hours (literally) and just play. We encourage it, and tell customers who come in for the first time that if they have not spent at least an hour in store then they have not played enough.
Children develop differently, and move onto toy ranges at varying stages. I have seen 6 year old girls who are totally beyond playing with dolls. Equally, I have seen girls in their early teens who absolutely adore their exquisite Kathe Kruse collector dolls. Some boys have grown out of Thomas wooden trains at age 3, for others it is closer to 6. Every child is different, and we should allow them to progress at their own pace. There is no need to accelerate them through the joys of childhood. The innocence of a child playing with a precious toy is a scene to be treasured. These days children seem to be growing up faster, but you really are never too old to have fun in a toy shop.
So here are my top 10 suggestions of educational toys, wooden toys and gifts for children in the later primary and high school years, plus of course the big kids (Mum and Dad).
1. Kikkerland windup toys are classic toys with a modern twist. They are great quality umm ... thingys; that appeal to both the young and young at heart. Each has their own character and personality, simply wind them up and watch then go. We sell absolutely oodles of these, as they are fun and cheap as chips. They are a great birthday gift for teenagers and adults.
2. Quadrilla is a marble run system of blocks, tracks and accessories that allow for an infinite number of designs. These marble runs are easy to construct, and you can pull them apart and start again as many times as you like. There are lots of add on sets, that are all compatible; so you can virtually take over a room with Quadrilla. Popular with adults and children, especially doting Dads.
3. Intelliquest is a range of quiz and puzzle books with a unique interactive twist. Enjoy working your way through each book using the Quizmo, a hand held thingamebob that knows every answer to every question in every Intelliquest book. The math and english titles are a great way for children to practice at home, without feeling like they are doing homework! To get started you will need one quizmo unit and one book. You can then add books whenever you like. A great choice for the 7-11 age group, plus these are some quiz books suited to those of us who grew up in the 60s and 70s.
4. Webkinz are a collection of plush toys with a difference. Each Webkinz pet comes with a unique tag containing a secret code to open Webkinz World; a fun, interactive and safe learning environment for children. Once inside Webkinz World children adopt and name their pet and are then invited into a virtual world where they can learn to care for a pet, share time with their friends and most importantly, use their imaginations. Best suited for children 6-12 years, plus big children of course!
5. Thinkfun are award winning games that engage and educate children and adults. These games channel the natural joy and energy of play into a stimulating, family-focused way of building essential thinking skills. Many of these games are particularly suitable to older children and adults (from the age of 8 years) and can be played solo, making them perfect for the holidays and as travel companions.
6. 4M science and craft kits give children the opportunity to experiment and be creative in an exciting, but safe way. The mould and paint and dino dig series are particularly popular as birthday gift ideas, especially for older children.
7. Discover the wonderful toys of Active People who are always on the cutting edge with innovative concepts and surprising ideas. They are toys that get you moving, toys that engage your imagination and creativity; toys for mind, body and soul, including the multi-award winning Kiwido poi ribbons.
8. Swatch Flik Flak full size watches are perfect for children aged from 8 years onwards. They have a more grown up design that lets kids keep track of time in a fashionable way. They have ‘classic’ dial hands and ‘seconds’ hand. The unique Flik Flak colour matching concept of the numbers with the watch hands makes learning to tell the time a little easier.
9. Sigg is the original Swiss bottle and the brand leader for comprehensive, high quality drinking systems for leisure and sports use. Unbeatably tough and light, and taste neural - perfect for school lunch boxes. The 0.6 litre model suits older kids and you have the option of an 'active top' that works using pressure from your lips, meaning the bottle is easily used with one hand.
10. Folkmanis have been making innovative and engaging specialty puppets since 1976, delighting imaginations and winning nearly every industry, child development, and kid-tested award;many repeatedly. A gift of a puppet encourages imaginative, open-ended play, endearing hugs, and snuggly companionship.
People who know me and the store and pretty familiar with my philosophy on toys and activity programs. At Entropy we love being a battery free zone and there is not a plastic or throwaway toy in sight. We stock good quality wooden toys and educational toys that have great play value. Generally speaking I am not a fan of toys that encourage children to spend more time at the computer. However; Webkinz ARE different and I spent a lot of time in Webkinz World checking whether the educational value of these plush toys was really enough to justify their inclusion in our store. After all, we have pretty lofty standards to uphold!
So, what are Webkinz? Webkinz are a collection of plush toys with a difference. Each Webkinz pet comes with a unique tag containing a secret code to open Webkinz World; a fun, interactive and safe learning environment for children. Once inside Webkinz World children adopt and name their pet and are then invited into a virtual world where they need to care for their pet. This includes feeding it, making and decorating their pet's room, and communicating with other Webkinz friends. In order to look after their pet children need to earn Webkinz World money, known as KinzCash. They can do this by completing quizzes, undertaking jobs at the employment office and playing games. Children can create unique spaces for their pets and add their own touch to the design; grow an outdoor garden, exercise, and lots of other fun activities.
Members can also safely 'chat' using pre-constructed messages that are flexible and cover lots of topics. Webkinz World changes every day, with new challenges, making it an interesting and exciting place for children to visit. It's one of the fastest growing sites on the internet and is best suited for children aged 6-14 years.
It's not just for kids though; at Entropy all of us have adopted pets and we love the interactivity and fun of the site. Kids can learn to care for a pet, share time with their friends and most importantly, use their imaginations. There are heaps of Webkinz to choose from; the hard part is picking the first one to start your collection.
What's not to love about an old fashioned circus? They are dry, dusty, smell vaguely of Africa and the clowns are a source of wonder and amazement for children. Get into the spirit with circus and clown themed toys from Entropy.
Make bath time fun with magical Gelli Baff. The special crystals turn bath water into fun glorious goo! When the kids are finished simply add the dissolving crystals to turn the goo back into water. Gelli Baff contains no harmful chemicals and will not stain carpets or clothing. Gelli Baff is the ultimate in bathtime fun! Gelli Baff gives children a fun bath time whilst cleansing and softening the skin. Gelli Baff does not block the drains, is bio-degradable and is kind on the skin. It's also great to use in paddle pools. Choose from Princess Pink, Magic Swamp Green and Lava Blast Red.
Like it or not, e-commerce is going to continue its growth, as more and more of us 'time poor' mothers look for alternatives to spending our precious spare time dragging the children around shopping centres. I personally dislike shopping centres quite a lot, so I have been an on-line shopper for a while now. Some people are reticent about purchasing on-line as they feel there is no replacement for touching and feeling a product. I understand this completely, that's why at Entropy we always make an effort to give you a decent product description and photos. One of the key things on-line shoppers are looking for is good customer service. I want to give you two examples of experiences I have had recently that were at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Young Nugget is four years old and his room is due for a makeover so I went on-line to look at some linen alternatives. I find this the best way to do my research. I found some gorgeous choices, but only one on-line store that had 'in stock' the complete range I was after. I duly placed my order, for a not insignificant amount. Two weeks passed and no delivery, no update, nothing. So I think it is about time I followed this up and send the store an email asking for an update. I get one back telling me that none of the items I wanted were 'in stock' and that my order 'might' get dispatched this week and that normal dispatch times are 7-21 days. Argh!! this is one of my pet dislikes of some e-commerce sites that give the rest of us a bad name. This practice is known as selling on consignment. That is, the store does not actually have the item in stock, and when an order comes through they then place an order with the supplier so they can fill your order. The least that a store can do in this situation is let you know what is happening. So I have shopped at this store twice; for the first time and the last time.
At the other end of the spectrum I have had totally satisfying customer service from www.costumebox.com.au. I am off to a Venetian ball that is a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House. I needed a Venetian mask for myself and the other half and these are not that easy to come by. So I check online; great pics, looks like items are available; I place my order late on a Sunday night. I get an email back before 8.30 am on Monday morning to let me know the items have been sent. Bouquets to you costumebox and brickbats to the other e-commerce site that shall remain nameless.
At Entropy, everything you see on our website is in our store. If you order by 2pm then we will send your order that day, with a tracking number from Australia Post; so you will always know where your parcel is. Our commitment to you is to always have great customer service, and some fun along the way.
ps: pics of the Venetian ball to come... should be a hoot.
Another busy week at Entropy with lots of new products arriving. A highlight for us was the arrival (finally) of our quadrilla store display. Quadrilla is a totally awesome wooden marble run the Taj Mahal of marble runs in fact. We have had our own shop display for quite a while, but we have lost count of the number of times it has been knocked over! It is always funny to see the look on customer's faces when the whole thing comes crashing down. We of course, just laugh. Actually, the fact that you can build and rebuild quadrilla different ways is one of its best features. It is a fantastic wooden construction toy as well as a marble run. Now we have this super duper shop display that is stuck together, and everyone can play to their heart's content with no fear of collapses. We now have four full sets to choose from Basic, Twist, Kindergarten and Twist/rail plus all the add on extension and fun packs. Quadrilla is part of our huge selection of wooden toys, more than 400 on-line are available.
Some fab new products arrived in store today and they are going to be specials in this week's eNews which comes out on Friday. Take a sneak peek below at the Bolz Spinning Top and the Princess Bed. The Spinning top will be $14.95 (normally $24.95) and the Doll's Bed will be $29.95 (normally $49.95). A little bird told me that they have already been uploaded into Entropy's eStore at this special price - get yours now!
Our Entropy Facebook page is now live. Become a fan and find out first about new products and get access to special offers and promotions. You can also follow us on Twitter - @entropytoys.
Isn't generation X, Y and Z fun! Keeping up with the technology is challenging, but if you are reading this it means I have successfully managed to link blogger, facebook and twitter. This means I can keep you updated about all things Entropy in one easy step - and you can follow in whatever way you fancy - RSS feeds, tweets or through the Entropy Facebook page.
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