Our Year in Review: Looking Back and Looking Forward
Oskar's Wooden Ark | December 14, 2021
As we close the book of the year that was 2021, we are feeling nostalgic looking back at some of the memories we have made, and wanted to share them all with you. We've had some truly remarkable milestones this year, from moving into a new warehouse, as well as expanding both our team and the brands we stock. It's been an epic year, and we can't wait to see what 2022 holds. We have absolutely loved playing, learning, creating and exploring with each and every one of you.
Share your favourite OWA moment of 2021 with us on Facebook and Instagram, tagging @oskarswoodenark and using the hashtag #OWA2021.
We just want to say THANK YOU...
... to our CONTENT CREATORS and OWA ENTHUSIASTS
It wouldn't be possible for us to produce and publish the amount of high quality content that we do without the input and enthusiasm of these creative and wonderful people (and of course their adorable team of little toy testers). We wouldn't have our colourful and vibrant Instagram feed without each and every one of you:
... to our GUEST BLOGGERS
We absolutely love having new faces appear on our blog to give us an insight into their own world of learning and play, as well as sharing their ideas with us:
Angelique Loverso @heads.shoulders.knees
Josie @onwillowsbend
Mr. Marcus Davies
Stephanie Green @stephaniegreen_waldorffamily
... to our DREAM TEAM
They're the ones who make the magic happen! We would be lost without any one of these valued members of our team and appreciate them immensely:
"Captain of the Ark"
"Co-Captain of the Ark"
"Brand Champion"
"The Happiness Hero"
"The Design Guru"
"The Social Butterfly"
"The Warehouse Wizard"
"The Cameraman"
"The Samurai"
"The Label Master"
+ Andrea (our BTS Website Warrior), Tony (our Warehouse Wood-packer) & Thich (our On-Call Helper)
... to our WOODEN ARK FAMILY
From sharing your shopping hauls to your play ideas, we have loved watching our Facebook family grow over the last 12 months.
Your countless #PLAYTIMEWITHOSKAR entries...
"Mythical Creatures"
Photo Credit: Belinda
"Creatures"
Photo Credit: Erin
"Hot and Cold"
Photo Credit: Carine
"Weather"
Photo Credit: Jasmin
"Crafty Christmas"
Photo Credit: Stacie
"Books"
Photo Credit: Laura
"Feelings and Emotions"
Photo Credit: Karen
Certified Kapla Champions
Photo Credit: Stuart & Kate
Your many #MAILFROMOSKAR posts...
A marvellous Mader collection
Photo Credit: Nez
Utterly OWA obsessed!
Photo Credit: Emma
Mader Special Edition Spinner unlocked
Photo Credit: Jacqui
#shelfie rotation with latest order
Photo Credit: Jordana
Bitta-this, bitta-that!
Photo Credit: Annemarie
Lucky Magic Mader ticket winner
Photo Credit: Belinda
Retired Grimm's Starry Night winner
Photo Credit: Jo
First OWA order for Juliette
Photo Credit: Juliette
... to our CUSTOMERS
There wouldn't be an Oskar's Wooden Ark if it wasn't for our wonderful customers. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your loyalty and continued support of our small family business that has grown dramatically since it's birth (and more so over the last year), it would not have been possible without you. Your kind words, valued feedback and shared passion for wooden toys is something truly special.
Looking Back...
2021 was a challenging year for us all, but by no means was it a bad year. We had so many rewarding experiences and achieved some very exciting milestones. Some months were busier than others, so let's take a wander down memory lane and explore some of our greatest highlights from the past year.
We were lucky to LEARN...
Science
Photo Credit: @exploringlifetogether_
Technology
Photo Credit: @playroomstories
Engineering
Photo Credit: @exploringlifetogether_
Mathematics
Photo Credit: @steph.soj
We were blessed to PLAY...
Small-World Play
Photo Credit: @playroomstories
Block Play
Photo Credit: @ourcountrytale
Sensory Play
Photo Credit: @grow.and.play.together
Pretend Play
Photo Credit: @woodentoyplay
We were inspired to CREATE...
Kitpas Window Art
Photo Credit: @mumz.world
Mindful Mandala
Photo Credit: @heads.shoulders.knees
Recycled Creations
Photo Credit: @woodentoyplay
Transient Mirror Art
Photo Credit: @learnandbloom
We were excited to EXPLORE...
Nature
Photo Credit: @mumz.world
Outdoor Play
Photo Credit: @ourcountrytale
Our Emotions
Photo Credit: @_simply_bea_
Creatures
Photo Credit: @exploringlifetogether_
JANUARY: Holiday Mode in Progress...
Every January, our family take a trip overseas to rest, relax and rewind before another busy year ahead. Obviously, due to Covid, that wasn't possible this year, so we hired a camper van and took the kids for a 3 week camping trip around South Australia instead!
Port Hughes > Innes National Park > Flaherty's Beach > Wallaroo > Lincoln National Park > Fisherman's Point > September Beach > Streaky Bay
FEBRUARY: International Shipping Returns
Well done South Australia at keeping case numbers down
Photo Credit: @pagesofchildhood
Lunar New Year - Year of the Ox
Photo Credit: @woodentoyplay
Happy Valentine's Day!
Photo Credit: @woodentoyplay
MARCH: Ready for Easter
We published our Easter Guide
Photo Credit: @ourcountrytale
Senger Rabbit launch
Photto Credit: Senger Naturwelt
Maileg launch
Photo Credit: @exploringlifetogether_
APRIL: We Moved, Turned 3, Launched a NEW Brand AND Went on a Slogan Search!
Happy Easter!
Photo Credit: @ourcountrytale
Sow 'n Sow launch
Photo Credit: Sow 'n Sow
Happy 3rd Birthday, OWA!
Photo Credit: @pagesofchildhood
WANTED: A New Slogan
Photo Credit: @woodentoyplay
Where we began...
... now we're here
MAY: Fun, Flowers and Fairy-bread!
#owafamilychallenge > #playtimewithoskar
Photo Credit: @pagesofchildhood
Happy Mother's Day!
Photo Credit: @ourcountrytale
Erzi Australia Assortment arrives!
Photo Credit: @woodentoyplay
JUNE: We Launched Waldorf Family AND Ambrosius!
Happy World Environment Day!
Photo Credit: @ourcountrytale
Waldorf Family launch
Photo Credit: Waldorf Family
Ambrosius launch
Photo Credit: OWA
JULY: The OWA Team Grows
Erin and Linda join the OWA Team
Photo Credit: OWA
VAH launch
Photo Credit: @exploringlifetogether_
Kids in Adelaide visit the Ark!
Photo Credit: OWA
Happy 4th Birthday, Oskar!
Photo Credit: OWA
AUGUST: The BIGGEST Container in OWA History Arrives = 8 BRANDS + 26 pallets!
SumBlox Minis launch
Photo Credit: @woodentoyplay
Olli Ella Dozy Dinkums launch
Photo Credit: Olli Ella
We launched Corvus in time for Father's Day
Photo Credit: Linda
SEPTEMBER: The Show Must Go On...
Happy Father's Day!
Photo Credit: OWA
Wobbel Decks & Pillows launch
Photo Credit: @mumz.world
We sold OWA Showbags when the RAS was cancelled
Photo Credit: OWA
OCTOBER: Our BIGGEST Gift Guide EVER!
Magic Mader Tickets
Photo Credit: OWA
OWA Gift Guide for ALL AGES goes live
Photo Credit: @steph.soj
Candylab launch
Photo Credit: Candylab
NOVEMBER: 'Tis the Season
#GIFTSFROMOSKAR: Month of Giveaways Photo Credit: OWA
We launched our Christmas landing page
Photo Credit: @ourcountrytale
Pip and Pudding arrive
Photo Credit: Olli Ella
We met the premier
Photo Credit: OWA
DECEMBER: Merry Christmas!
NEW Brands Introduced
Ambrosius
Candylab
Corvus
Maileg
Sow 'n Sow
VAH
Waldorf Family
Wobbel Decks & Pillows
2021 in Numbers
Looking Forward...
What does 2022 hold for OWA? Will you be stocking new brands? Will you be looking for new guest bloggers to collaborate with? Will you be seeking new content creators to join the team?
In short, we are ALWAYS looking for NEW ways of keeping things exciting and fresh at the Ark. We currently have something very special in the making as part of our next BIG project, but for the time being, our lips are sealed with exactly what it is.
We can't wait to share the news with the whole OWA community when the time comes. But for now, we're thrilled to be going into another year where we can learn, play, create and explore!
2022 - where MORE magic awaits..
