This morning I stumbled upon yet ANOTHER example of a manufacturer that I had NO idea was in the Lehigh Valley. And I’ve been living here my whole life!

Curto Toy Manufacturing Company is said to be in Easton (according to Google), and they make and sell custom plushies, especially plush mascots for companies, schools and sports teams. Curto toys, this is your official invitation to join our directory!!

Every time I discover another manufacturer, it’s always by chance and almost never by Google. Today, I came upon Curto accidentally, while researching classic car shows for Donut Rally Lehigh Valley.

Curto has been in the Lehigh Valley for decades. Way past even when I was born. So it’s kind of crazy to think that I’d never heard of them before. When I was growing up, my parents started a collection of Steiff stuffed animals. But I wonder just how much better or worse Steiff is, compared to Curto? And, if I had the chance, now that I have toddlers myself, should I have them collect Curto stuffies instead of Steiff?

The Wide Wonderful World of Toys

In my investigation of toys in Google, I came upon yet another toy manufacturer in Lehigh Valley, Big Bang Conestoga Cannons in Bethlehem. Umm… toy cannons, and I’ve never heard of them?? I love cannons! These collectible cast metal cannons make an actual BANG, and come with bonus flints for more fun. I am… shocked. Been living here for 40 years, and I’ve never heard of them either.

This directory is a passion project and a resource for the whole Lehigh Valley. I’m heavily invested in trying to get our list as thorough as possible. Big Bang Conestoga Cannon Company — WANT TO JOIN?? This is your official invitation, just like with Curto. We’d love to have you.

Lehigh Valley folks– start buying local toys! Some, granted, are at heirloom prices, but they are also made with heirloom-quality manufacturing.

I’m dying to learn of other toys produced here. I wonder if, in someone’s basement somewhere in Emmaus, there are little basswood whittled toys being made and sold on Etsy. Or, maybe someone up in Slatington has a shop that makes and sells fully-furnished dollhouses. I know for a fact that there are at least two larger 3D Printing toy makers in the Lehigh Valley. But again, good luck finding them without just seeing them randomly at a market one day.

Who is making imported toys?

The fact is, that toys are the kind of thing that are so widely varied and hard to find without questionable origins; there’s something *not right* about having your child play with a toy that was hand-painted by a rapidly-aging, hopeless child of the same age in a sweatshop overseas. Like these crochet flowers…

Instead, how about yet another local handmaker of stuffies??: Darby’s Crochet Corner. Darby makes crocheted bees, bears, elephants, critters of all kinds– not to mention other characters for holidays etc. She works day and night making these things that are frankly so darn fun and cute, that I have had to guard from my toddlers (with my life!) the two raffle items that she donated recently. LOL

Once again, Darby works not from a storefront, but from her home. She has an INTERNATIONAL following on social media, but locals might not know she’s here! Once again, without a physical address, search engines will have a very hard time finding and identifying her business as a “Lehigh Valley” maker. I’m happy to report, though– her membership on our website definitely helps her get discovered! 😀

Handmade “Toys” can be More than Toys

Makers of handmade items are always harder to find, and usually lower-volume. But handmade or artisanal items are no less valuable or important to support. Take current MiLV member, Precious Mementos by Jenell. She handmakes stuffed animals, but they are usually to commemorate someone or something. For example, to help a child cope with the loss of their father, Jenell might be asked to make a pillow or stuffed bear out of the father’s favorite T-shirts.

Are memory bears harder to find? Yes. While manufacturers benefit from having an official “business address” for Google to recognize, handmakers often do not. Jenell, for example, works out of her home studio. She does not have a storefront with which to make herself more “findable” to customers. Similarly, Etsy doesn’t recognize “Lehigh Valley,” so a search for local makers of bereavement bears is impossible, unless one filters results by each town. (Grab a cup of tea for this, and search one-by-one: Allentown, Bath, Bethlehem, Bowmanstown, Breinigsville, Catasauqua, Center Valley, Coplay, Danielsville… omggggggg… and then promptly give up and buy a sympathy card.)

Unfortunately today in Lehigh Valley we still have people who have to write to Facebook groups asking who makes memory bears. Take this post in a nation-wide memory bears group:

She was lucky. And savvy with Facebook. But guaranteed people who aren’t on social media will have a hard time with this search.

The Lehigh Valley is littered with smaller and larger toy producers. All we need to do is get them under one roof (Made in the Lehigh Valley), and then shopping for local toys will be a LOT easier!

If you’re an experienced maker or manufacturer and would like to join Made in the Lehigh Valley, go to https://www.madeinthelehighvalley.com/join and let the fun begin.