Photos and Story By Heidi Johnston
Michelle and Randy Dern are the owners of Sandcastle Toys with locations in Aptos, Capitola, and soon online. Her unique collections of heirloom-quality natural toys are born from her desire to be involved in the eco-friendly movement.
Michelle Dern
“The focus is always an interest in the toys,” she says.
Michelle researches and curates local and international toy markets to stock original unduplicated merchandise. Her intent is to embody the Montessori and Waldorf models which emphasize self-directed hands-on learning.
Michelle had a long career as nurse and a midwife. Her interest in this particular philosophy led her to take Waldorf teacher training. She opened an at-home Waldorf based daycare and midwifery practice. Then she went into travel nursing and management.
She began her eco-toy business after retiring in July 2024.
Her kids went to Santa Cruz Waldorf School. Michelle has four biological children and one stepdaughter, 3 girls and 2 boys. She also has 11 grandchildren, 10 months old to age 16.
The artisan-crafted toys reflect a trend in the industry to migrate toward natural, eco-friendly materials as an alternative to plastic, metal, and aluminum constructed ones. They are durable, functional, and fun.
“The castle is like a playhouse where you can feel the craftsmanship of the wood,” she says.
Aptos Location in Redwood Village
The Aptos shop is located in an enchanting redwood cottage. There are kits and collectibles displayed in front of rainbow lazure painted walls at both locations. Michelle’s daughter Amber Coutts with Pete Metcalf were the artists using the Waldorf-inspired rhythmic technique to apply colorful washes that create a luminous effect. Michelle carries many of these art supplies.
She says: ”Beeswax crayons have highly saturated colors that last a long time and work for many age groups.” School-age kids can choose from Waldorf wet on wet watercolor, sticker books, pencils, and crafts like paper and felt making and games, she says.
The explorer and the sewing themed kits are also popular. One has binoculars, a canteen, and a kid-sized journal. The other is a sewing kit in a little suitcase with embroidery yarn.
Calm uncluttered spaces are part of the environment she helps to create while fostering a child’s fascination with the natural world.
Capitola Location
At the Capitola location, a young girl looks over the merchandise. Michelle immediately offers a warm greeting and asks her which is her favorite toy.
Capitola Location across from Gayle’s Bakery
The space is located across from Gayle’s Bakery. It’s filled with wooden gnomes dressed in felt coats and other kid friendly curiosities. The girl’s mother joins her and explains that her birthday is coming up and she gets to choose one item. The girl says she likes the kitchen sets.
Michelle says, “Kitchen and food toys are popular.”
A mini cash-register is displayed near painted wooden items; ice cream cones, tea pots, and cupcakes populate the shop with imagination.
“Wooden teethers are a good option for the youngest kids. Children of all ages appreciate the silk blankets,” Michelle says.
All the merchandise Michelle offers align with her early expertise as a teacher and nurse. The toys let children build coordination, concentration, and independence. For example, a toy called the Leprechaun trap involves crafting a trap for the magical elf requiring creativity and motor skills.
Michelle’s eco-friendly emphasis means that if a toy were forgotten at the beach or playground, it would not harm wildlife or the environment.
For the holidays, families painted paper mache eggs to hunt instead of plastic eggs.
“It was great!” Michelle says. “We had ten plus families come out and we dyed eggs and had cupcakes.”
Look for more family friendly events in the future.
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Sandcastle Toys
Aptos location: 9099 Soquel Drive, Cottage 2 Aptos
Capitola location: 509 Bay Ave., Capitola
Open Tuesday to Friday 10am-6pm. Closed Monday. 831-900-8939.
sandcastletoys.com
