“Painstakingly hand made” is not a common description for children’s toys, but that’s exactly how designer characterizes his creations. Brad started his venture, Auditorium Toy Co., after growing dissatisfied with the options at typical toy stores. His Arizona-based business showcases stunning heirloom toys, all made by Brad himself. Discover more about this talented designer, marketer, and toy maker below.
1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Painstakingly hand made.
2. Who is your creative role model?
Henry Dreyfus.
3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
Learn Chinese or build an airplane.
4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
Any university grade library. I would like to say something more exotic, but these facilities make the Internet look like a Denny’s menu. The only thing I learned in college was how to use the library.
5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
I would like to spend a day at the Bureau of Fun Dive Bars with the intention of persuading them to put one near my house.
6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
I make a lot of stuff, but my favorite one was the time I dug up and engraved, then re-grouted a cobblestone as a wedding gift.
7. What is your favorite object in your home?
A pencil sharpener. It’s a well used Boston Ranger — flawless.
8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Mr. Provo, my index-fingerless grade school shop class teacher, yelled at me to “think three times, measure twice, cut once.” (Did he add the “think three times” part? I haven’t heard it that way since.)
9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
Sadly, I almost always overshoot. The piece is complete once I’ve scraped off the useless layers I added because I didn’t know when to quit.
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