By LYNN ASCRIZZI

Staff Writer

Finding safe toys for kids is looming large in shoppers' collective minds this holiday season.Massive toy recalls by Mattel have sparked local enthusiasm for the small, specialty toy store. And, it's been a boon for at least one wooden toy maker in Maine.

"Without a doubt, it (toy recall) is boosting business," said Frank Ridley, owner and operator of Different Drummer Workshop in Solon. Ridley, 73, has been handcrafting wooden toys for 35 years. Now, he and his daughter, Lisa Caldwell of Anson, can't keep up with holiday orders.

"I'm telling my wholesale customers -- 'sorry, can't take any more business,' " he said.

The plain wooden toys he and his daughter make by hand -- little cars and trucks, doll furniture, rocking horses and the like -- are crafted from Maine white pine bought from Robbins Lumber Inc. in Searsmont.

"I consider my toys safe, because I have nothing artificial on them. They're all hand sanded to a satin-smooth finish -- the only finish they have. They (kids) can chew on it all they want; there's nothing to harm them," he said.

Ridley sells to small gift shops around the state and also ships out of state to shops as far away as California.

"I've got an order right now going to North Carolina -- a bunch of sailboats -- bath-tub boats," he said.

Despite the avalanche of orders, Ridley is not getting rich on his handiwork, he said.

"I don't think anybody who works as a craftsperson makes a good living. We do it for love. We work hard enough to make ends meet," he said.

SMALLER IS SAFER

Darcie Nichols of Embden was juggling two wooden puzzle sets in her arms while shopping recently at The Painted Horse Toy Store in Augusta. She was there because she liked the toy store's focus on "Toys That Teach."

"They have better quality toys than you often find at big-box stores," she said.

Nichols, 37, an ed tech at Carrabec Community School in North Anson, was looking for Christmas party toys for her young cousins.

"If I can find something not made in China. . . ," she said, as she turned over a wooden puzzle to see where it was made. Ironically, the Melissa & Doug product carried the ubiquitous, "Made in China" label.

Although mildly surprised, Nichols was not alarmed.

"Melissa & Doug are a pretty good company," she said, of the relatively small manufacturers. She pointed to the disclaimer label that claims their "products are carefully crafted by hand using non-toxic coating and meet or exceed U.S. toy standards."

Nichols said she was aware that not all toys made in China are unsafe.

The August recall of nine million Mattel toys made in China, including Sarge brand die-cast cars, Batman action figures, Barbie dolls and other popular toys for kids are bringing new customers into the Painted Horse, said head clerk Priscilla Young.

"I'd say about 10 or more new customers per week. It's made up for the drop in the economy. There's a lot of fear out there," Young said.

The Painted Horse is one of the few specialty toy shops in the state, said owner and operator Philip Judd, who is celebrating his 30th Christmas season. "We're the oldest toy store in Maine."

And these days, when it comes to toy stores, some customers believe smaller is safer.

"I definitely have more feeling of trust here. It is a smaller store," said shopper Erica Spiotta, 23, of Jay.

"Our vendors are relatively small compared to Mattel," said Judd. "There's more personal involvement. You talk to the people who make them (toys). The human touch is still there."

Lynn Ascrizzi -- 621-5731

lascrizzi@centralmaine.com