MADISON, Wis. — Buying a personal one-of-a-kind gift for the holidays can be a hard task. More often than not, people buy their gifts from companies like Amazon, Best Buy or Target.
In Madison, many families stay away from the big chains and get their children a one-of-a-kind handmade toy from John Michael Linck.
“What’s better than giving kids tons of joy, plus the wood is cool, ya know?” said Linck.
Linck has been making wooden toys for 47 years. In fact, it is his full-time job all year round.
“I do a pretty steady 40-hour week,” said Linck.
At 71, Linck is starting to slow down a bit, but he said the demand for his toys is so high, he wouldn’t be able to stop working even if he wanted to.
“Those first generation that still buy toys, they are in the second generation and probably 20 to 30 families in their third generation,” said Linck.
Linck’s website attributes his inspiration for toy-making to his grandmother, who has since passed away.
“Visits to my grandmother always included listening to stories of her youth; stories often prompted by an object or photograph in her home,” it reads.
Linck said he hopes his toys can become those objects that inspire memories and stories that can be told throughout generations.
Linck said he understands people will grow older and tire of playing with his toys, but his goal is to make something so beautiful and memorable that it will always have a place in people’s hearts and homes.
“All my toys are guaranteed for my lifetime. I want you to look at your wooden toy in 30 years and say, ‘That toy-maker did a pretty good job,’” said Linck.
Linck’s favorite toy to make is called a clacker.
“It is like a little lawn mower and I made the first one for my daughter,” said Linck.
Linck is what some would call a one-man band, but with his workshop located in the basement of his quant home in downtown Madison, he’s able to produce as many toys as his body will allow.