Under these circumstances, more and more parents are looking for safe, environmentally friendly and educational alternatives. This is how Guga Gaga, a creative toy studio founded by Marcela Mastak, came into being.
“We design and produce useful wooden toys inspired by our culture, following Montessori and Waldorf School methods. The idea basically came about as a manifesto – to offer an alternative to plastic toys. These are play objects that stimulate imagination, hand and eye coordination, and are even the basis of children’s growth and development,” says Marcela Mastak.
The startup creates eco-friendly play objects made of natural materials for healthy.
“Only water-based paints, mineral oils and natural pigments are used. Our dyes are harmless to society, to the growth of children, and to the environment, because after the end of their life cycle, the play objects or toys can easily be left somewhere in nature and they will not cause any harm,” notes Marcela.
However, the studio believes that their products should be durable and passed on from generation to generation. They are not just toys, they are emotional memory tools that stimulate creativity, coordination and an emotional bond between parents and children.
As this project has a social component, its founders applied for funding from the EU4Youth project.
The received grant (about 5 thousand euros) allowed to purchase a professional dehumidifier, materials for eco-friendly packaging and to set up a production hall, which helped to optimize the whole working process. The EU4Youth program also provided young people with training and mentoring.
The owner of Guga Gaga wants her project to become a “family concept store” where children will grow up surrounded by eco-friendly, educational and culturally authentic items. Plans include launching a new collection, Origen, inspired by local culture, as well as designing furniture for children’s rooms and the whole family.
