Baldwin Toy Co.

Kris Kratz

"As wood sculptors and toy artists, we hand carve wooden toys with quality reminiscent of yesteryear. Our toys represent the ultimate in wood craftsmanship—original designs preserved forever in hardwood beauty. "

Steve Baldwin and Kris Kratz create playful wooden sculptures that are hand tooled and carved using a variety of techniques. What makes the sculptures unique is the fact that the toys are also puzzles. Each car they create is held together by wooden dowels instead of glue, making it a puzzle as well as a charming sculpture. Every day, they continue to push the limits of woodworking in the hopes of creating another masterpiece.

Steve Baldwin has been creating wooden toys since the late 1960s. He started as an industrial arts teacher, which eventually led to a woodworking hobby. In 1976, that hobby became a profession when he started Baldwin Toy Co. Making wooden toys is still a labor of love for Baldwin, and he hopes to be creating until he drops!

Kris Kratz has always been building something—figuring out how things worked fascinated him, and building them made it even more exciting. What started out as a hobby is now his passion and way of life. He finds that there's nothing more gratifying then making something with his own hands and having someone stare in absolute amazement at the resulting piece of art.

READ MORE
Selected Exhibitions & Awards
ACC Show, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, 2020
Smithsonian Art Show, Smithsonian National Art Museum, Washington, DC, 2000
ACC Show, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, 1998 - 2019
ACC Show, St. Paul Convention Center, St. Paul, MN, 1998 - 2019
Main St. Fort Worth, Fort Worth , Fort Worth, TX, 2018
Handcrafted America TV Show, INSP cable Channel, Season 3, Episode 5, Omaha, NE, 2017
Kimball Art Fair, Park City, UT, Park City, UT, 2010-2018
The Plaza, Downtown, KC, Kansas City, MO, 2010
Brookside Art Annual, Brookside, Kansas City, MO, 2001-2018