Delmar Eby & Family, London, KY

East Laurel Woodcrafts

Wooden toys

Delmar, a father of six, began making toys while teaching at a private school. Making toys was a way for his son to have something to occupy his time in the evenings. Although Delmar’s skills are basically self-taught, both his father and grandfather liked to work with wood. He comments, “Perhaps it’s in our blood!”

What began as a hobby in 1989 has grown into a full-time business. The Eby’s toys are functional and are constructed completely with wood using very little hardware. Most of the wood used to construct their toys is obtained locally, with the exception of cedar and mahogany. Their items are finished with a natural oil that is non-toxic.

The Ebys are members of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program.

The Ebys’ work can be found at the Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft in Louisville, KY; at the Appalachian Artisan Center in Hindman, KY; Shaker village at Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, KY; Shaker Museum at South Union, Auburn, KY; Red Bird Mission Crafts, Beverly, KY; Log House Gallery, Berea, KY; Appalachian Fireside Gallery, Berea, KY; Cozy Corner, Whitesburg, KY; Completely Kentucky, Frankfort, KY; National Quilt Museum, Paducah, KY; My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown, KY; Top Drawer Gallery, Berea, KY; and at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, Berea, KY.