Schloss ... the story

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Tim's journey with timber began at an early age when he discovered the delight of bringing the life back into wood when sanding up an old rough piece, found lying around the farm.

The delight turned into an apprenticeship years later in Cabinet Making (Fine Furniture). 

In 2006 some neighbourhood boys asked Tim to make some wooden Lord of the Rings swords, and hence, the toy craftsman 'Schloss' was born.  Tim continues to produce Imaginary Adventure Tools - Swords, Sields, Axes, Kelly Guns - and also produces Leather Sword Belts.  Some of the range are left raw to allow buyers to add their own finishing touches, some are finished with a leather grip and natural oils and waxes.  

2012 marked another new chapter when Schloss took over 'Good Ol' Toys' from Len and Lynden McCarthy, expanding his range to include Surprise Puzzles and the wonderful Castle on a Hill.  

Each Surprise Puzzle is cut from one block of wood which when taken apart reveals a table, two big chairs, two small chairs, coffee tables, a foot stool and a chopping board - these which can be rearranged to be a bed and pillow, a high hair and a desk and seat. or to become a train, or Santa's reindeer and sleigh.  There are other ways to play with the puzzle including a castle, rockets and robots, aeroplanes, elephants, dogs, towers and a front end loader.  

Handcrafted from a single piece of salvaged timber, including Jacaranda, Poplar, Almond, Olive, Grevillea, Gidgee, and Eucalyptus, each 'Castle on the Hill' opens to reveal a stunning castle.which is lots of fun as a toy, for imaginative story-telling or for display.  Each Castle is one of a kind.  The original design dates back to the 1700's!

Located in North East Victoria, Schloss attends markets and festivals throughout the year from the Border to the Peninsula, and fairs including the Lost Trades Fair (Kyneton); Ironfest (Lithgow); Gumeracha Medieval Fair; My Lords & Ladies Fayre (Blacktown); timeline fair, Kryal Castle; Ive's Medieval fair.  At many of these events Schloss offers workshops where children (or the young at heart) can finish off an Imaginary Adventure Tool selected from the Schloss range of Swords, Shields, Axes and Kelly Guns. 

Schloss Good Ol' Toys & Collectables can be found in shops and galleries throughout Australia or online at www.schloss.com.au .  

Tim Schloss is a founding member and current President of North East Artisans in Benalla.    He has a studio at NEA, exhibits work in the NEA gallery and will be offering a number of sword workshops early in 2017.