Back Page Backyard Collectable Wood Crafts from a Garage

If a modest single car garage could speak, it would ask to come back to life as Larry Switzer's man-cave turned toy shop on a side street in Walpole, New Hampshire. &emsp;&emsp;What lies beyond the doorway is a treasure trove of floor-to-ceiling wooden pieces, in-progress toys, and completed orders waiting for pick up from eager customers. &emsp;&emsp;This isn't a typical toy shop— not that handmade toy shops are even typical since many don't even exist anymore. This is a smaller scale woodshop for those that appreciate the craftsmanship, attention to detail and the fact that these toys are built to be handed down in some cases, from generation to generation. &emsp;&emsp;Larry never received formal woodcraft training. For the most part, he began when he moved to Walpole in 1980 and began working with the scouting program. &emsp;&emsp;He started with simple forms, getting ideas from Woodworker Magazine when he was starting out. He began making wood toy cars. This progressed to firetrucks, paddleboards and small puzzles. &emsp;&emsp;As his involvement increased with the local scout organization, he was asked to make the cars for the famous pinewood derby car races (If you have been lucky enough to attend one of these heart-pounding car racing competitions amongst the best of local Boy Scouts) and trophies. &emsp;&emsp;Through the years, he has created intricate sculpted wooden ornaments and custom plaques for all branches of the Armed Forces, ambulances, first responders, firefighters and police departments. The details in each of these with specific reference to each category set these plaques and ornaments apart from any other. The scroll work is incredible, unlike anything you'll see in any handmade, well, anything made out of wood. &emsp;&emsp;As Larry became more familiar with the families and customers over the years, giving back was always a key part of what made his "work" seem so much worthwhile. He has attended many local Toys-for-Tots benefits, those of local victims of fires, floods, emergencies. Not onlyhas attending been a priority, but consistently donating a large portion of what he has in stock to those same organizations. This, I can only imagine, would make a difference to every child receiving a timeless, classic toy during an incredibly difficult time in their life. &emsp;&emsp;As a woodworker, he doesn't believe in scraps. What smaller pieces can't be used for add-ons or features on his toys will end up supplying the furnace that's used to heat the man cave/toy shop that these toys are created in. &emsp;&emsp;As he pulled another bin off the shelf, he showed me more of his work, including the Army plaque inscribed and carved with beautiful scrollwork. I asked him to create a Marine plaque for my nephew, Jesse Joslyn; he was a proud family man and Marine from Swanzey, New Hampshire. There's no rush on this special request order. He has a long list of customer orders he needs to get to first. But, I know when I gift this plaque to his family, it will for sure be treasured and will last for generations to come.