Barefoot Toys

Barefoot Toys Playable Art stuffed animals from Sri Lanka were first produced in 1958 through a collaboration between Barbara Sansoni, a colorist and artist, and the Order of Good Shepherd Nuns. Today the result of this ongoing cooperative endeavor is not just a story about production. It is a tale about people who thrive on being creative.

Each Toy is hand made by hand from start to finish by one person. Everybody involved is valued and made to feel part of a family. They thrive on the knowledge that their contribution is appreciated and also that their development as a person is equally important.

The fabrics are created from a palette of 63 different color shades, devised from ecological dyes brought from Switzerland. The human touch in the weaving process gives character and resilience to the toy. The 100% cotton handwoven cloth is fashioned into the various toys, which are then filled with kapok pulp. The craft skills at Barefoot are timeless. Nothing is mass produced. Each is a simple, yet beautiful, toy.