Meet Gin Gin's wooden toy maker

CHILDREN spend their earliest years of development learning through interactive play and using their imagination, which is why one local mum has created a one-stop-shop for unique, nature inspired and educational toys.

Charmaine Binder has worked hard all her life and in many different roles, from a cleaner and kitchenhand to retail assistant at the local IGA in Gin Gin.

But with four children aged seven and younger and while studying a beauty therapy course, she needed a job that was convenient and allowed her to work from home, so one day between parenting, the mum decided to bite the bullet and give it a go.

"I follow beautiful online stores on Instagram and always thought about how hard it would be to run my own online business, so one day I sent a DM to another store owner," Ms Binder said.

"Although the other business owner said it does take some work, she gave me tips and advice, encouraged me and helped point me in the right direction, giving me the confidence I needed to get started and I am so grateful for all of that."

After receiving moral support from another small online business owner, Ms Binder took the plunge and created her own brand.

"I've always referred to my children as wild because they're like little wildlings that belong in the bush and I would always say 'well, lucky we live out of town,'" she said.

"Then I thought surely I'm not the only mum who thinks this way at times about their kids, so I just thought of the name, This Worlds Wildlings and it stuck with me."

Sourcing products from other small businesses, Ms Binder sells a range of beautiful handmade clothes and wooden educational toys for children.

"I've tried to support local and other small businesses, including my sister who has a small handmade clothes store and also lives local to the Bundaberg area," Ms Binder said.

"I stock some of her wonderful premade items not only to boost my business but to help spread the name of her shop and I sell beautiful faux fur animal bonnets from a lady who makes them herself.

"I purchased one for my son's first birthday party and Rhiley looked so cute … it was Jungle theme and he was dressed as a tiger and that's where the whole animal bonnet love bloomed and it became a collection."

Passionate about supplying children's toys with an educational purpose, the stay-at-home mum said she is looking to source products from other local makers in the region.

"I would love to get out there more as at the moment I am still building my audience and it's only early days, but I'm learning more each day about my business and how to make everything go together with my life," Ms Binder said.

"Many of the products would make great gifts for little ones, resources for homeschooling parents or even daycare centres.

"A local mum from a wonderful home daycare purchased some of our beautiful learning items and knowing they're going to such a good place makes me feel so good inside."

And while the mum-of-four admits launching her business in March was challenging with similar timing to COVID-19, she is confident the brand's following and sales are starting to see a noticeable increase.

For more information, visit thisworldswildlings.com or the business pages on social media.

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