Jan
19
2012

posted by

Gisela Voss

B. there—with bells on!

We have a summer home near Nantasket Beach's historic Paragon Park Carousel and have 19 years of photos of our kids growing up riding around and around and up and down on those 1928 horses. They represent so much that is good to me…old-fashioned family fun, happy music, laughter, childhood.

We infused all that goodness into the design of Carousel Bells. The pitch perfect scale sounds lovely and crisp (perfect to sing along with to Twinkle Twinkle or O Sole Mio). The rainbow prism of B. colors swirling in motion is mesmerizing. Hold the wand on the bells as they spin and be transported to a day when you were 8 and ran a stick along a fence.

Then read our tips for musical fun.

Together, with B.ells on, we can keep the magic of childhood alive.

—Gisela

PS
Carousel bells will be available in two sizes. Right now for spring (can we say spring yet?) 6" diameter Piccolo hand-held size and sometime in the future you'll see a 9" Colossale tabletop version like the one we are composing with in the video above.

Dec
22
2011

posted by

Gisela Voss

Very Merry Joy-Joy from all of us at B.

We find it hard to believe this is only B.'s second Christmas and Hannukah—ever!

Like many of your precious little ones whose photos we marvel at, we have learned to walk and babble. We have giggled (a lot!), most especially at the wonder-filled things children say. We have made mistakes and made good friends. And we shared what we have.

And as the year draws to a close, faster than we could have ever imagined we want to take a quiet moment to wish you all the blessings of the season: joy, laughter, family, hugs and kisses.

We are firm believers in this African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others." Without you, the parents of the kids who play with our toys, all of this would be meaningless. You are our others. You are our community. You make our dreams a reality.

We know no words to express our gratitude. Maybe by year 3 we'll learn some new ones :)

~Gisela

Dec
22
2011

posted by

Carly Hagins

Bow-WOW!

When we started working on ideas for musical toys like a drum filled with instruments, a keyboard in the shape of a cat, and a hound dog guitar, we pictured them in the hands of little ones. We envisioned parades through back yards and dance parties in playrooms. But we never imagined that our toys would make their way to the daytime talk show circuit.

A year ago we couldn’t believe our eyes when Ellen DeGeneres played a kitty ditty on Meowsic during her show’s Cat Week. And then, just a few days ago, we positively howled with delight to see Nate Berkus play with Woofer, Meowsic, and Parum Pum Pum as part of his show’s holiday gift guide.

It was a huge, humongous honor to be featured by such a positive, design savvy star like Nate Berkus. We’ve watched the clip over and over and over and it makes us smile each and every time (especially when Nate explains that you don’t have to have kids to love Woofer!)

Now if only we could get Ellen, Nate, Meowsic, and Woofer together for a barbershop quartet… :)

—Carly

Dec
16
2011

posted by

Gisela Voss

A ONE a TWO...a ONE-TWO-THREE-FOUR!

A couple of weeks ago, my family room was converted into a movie set for two video productions. Sunlight was streamed in by a 30ft tall light outside my Victorian tower. Snacks were provided. Kids came to play. We had a rough direction and outline for what we wanted, but no professional actors, no scripts, no stylists. Just kids. Our kids. And our passion for mischief and merriment.

The results? 12 hours + 7 kids + a jillion giggles = a faB.ulous video!

We dare you not to smile and dance along.

From my home to yours.
From my heart to you and yours.

~Gisela

PS: Many thanks to Tony from Rhapsody Productions and Larry from Spot Editorial for the magic.

Nov
30
2011

posted by

Gisela Voss

A Pack of Hound Dogs

All in the family around here! The product development and marketing for B. happens at our kitchen tables and in our living rooms. Sometimes this means we're corralling our kids and nieces and nephews and the odd friend into the act. It helps that my daughter is a talented singer. And not yet teenage-embarrassed to do something like this. :)

So…some lyrics in Woofer were written by my marimba-playing nephew. The peppy puppy songs were sung by kids I love. And the three Wooferteers were delighted today when they heard their voices immortalized in a toy. Click on the buttons on the toy page to hear for yourself!

We have a lot of fun around here. Shake it up, Crazy. Twist and howl.

—Gisela