(Portland, OR; April 1,
2004) I Made That Corporation announces three
do-it-yourself kits that allow kids to build and decorate
their own functional furniture. "A stool, table, and toy
cart are three products every child needs and uses
daily," says Jennifer Humberston, co-founder of the
company. "You can't believe how excited and proud kids
get about a piece of furniture they made themselves."
Stephanie Wieber and Jennifer
Humberston founded I Made That Corp. in April 2003 in
Portland, Oregon. Their brand new concept in children's
furniture focuses on giving young children, ages four to
eight, the experience of building a piece of furniture
they can use.
"I had recently made a window seat
and table for my kitchen, and I was amazed at how proud I
was. I felt like I could do anything," Stephanie says. "I
wished I'd had this experience at a younger age, and I
wondered what was out there for young girls to build."
When research showed few
woodworking and building options for kids, Stephanie and
her friend Jennifer set out to design and manufacture
kits that would give kids the joy and pride of a hands-on
building experience.
Functionality was at the top of the
list when the two women brainstormed which products would
best launch the business. Over and over parents told them
they wanted the products to be useful. "Parents don't
want any more junk, and they're sick of plastic,"
Stephanie says.
Jennifer and Stephanie agree that
"kids love to pound, glue, and paint." So their
simple-to-make kits include a hammer, wooden pegs, glue,
paints, and a brush for little builders to
do-it-themselves.
Wanting their products to be
durable and to incorporate kid-friendly design that
appeals to adults as well as to children, they hired Paul
James, an experienced furniture designer in Minneapolis.
"Paul gave us designs that are fresh and connect to the
kids building them," says Jennifer. "When you take the
pieces out of the box, they look like big cut-out cookies
or jig-saw puzzle pieces."
There are no nails or screws. The
furniture is designed to fit together like puzzle pieces
and secured with wooden pegs and glue. The kit includes
everything needed to build the piece of furniture. Each
building project takes about an hour and a half depending
on the child's age.
The kits are manufactured by a
custom cabinet-maker in Oregon and made of medium density
fiberboard, a recycled wood product with splinter-free
edges. The paints meet all federal guidelines for child
safety.
The make-it-yourself kits support
crucial levels of childhood development, helping young
children to grow physically, emotionally, and
cognitively. The child's experience of building one of
these unique kits includes exercising hand/eye
coordination and motor skills, independent and
cooperative play, creativity, problem solving, color
mixing and matching, counting, and the pride of
successful outcomes.
For parents, grandparents, aunts,
uncles, older siblings, and family friends, each building
project offers an opportunity to delight, teach,
encourage, and bond with a special child. Some kids are
so thrilled with their handiwork that they want to build
all three pieces of I Made That furniture.
Adults and Kids who have built I
Made That furniture kits are enthusiastic. Here are a few
sample responses:
Mother Amy Collins emailed, "This
stool is Max's favorite piece of furniture. It's a chair,
a stepstool, a table, a platform to jump off of, and of
course something that he can move around. He loves it."
Carol Herman, who built a Mister
Feet table with her five-year-old grandson, Sam, says "I
was so impressed by the quality of the table, and I can
see that it will stand the test of time and heavy use."
Children lie on it and under it and use it for special
projects.
"I don't want any help,"
eight-year-old Simon Farrell told his mother as he worked
on a colorful step-stool. "Then I couldn't say I did it
all myself!"
I Made That products are available
through local retailers or online: Sir Steps-a-Lot Stool,
$39.99; Mister Feet Table, $49.99; and Caddy Push Cart,
$59.99. Paint kits are sold separately for $5.99 each;
one kit covers one product.
Stephanie Wieber and Jennifer
Humberston established I Made That Corp. in April 2003 in
Portland, Oregon to manufacture do-it-yourself kits for
young kids to experience the excitement and pride of a
hands on building project. All I Made That kits are
manufactured in Portland by Mountain Home Cabinet
Company. In addition to the Caddy Toy Cart, I Made That
Corp. offers a step-stool and a low-to-the-ground table.
The kits are available for sale through retailers,
online, or by calling 877.804.8004 toll-free.
If you would like more information
about I Made That Corp. and its products, please call
877.804.8004, email info@imadethat.com,
or visit us at www.imadethat.com.