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Life and Work with Ryann Anderson

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryann Anderson.

Ryann, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My stepson was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder when he was quite young. I honestly took a back seat to start, feeling like he was getting the services he needed and that it was up to his parents to decide what was best in terms of treatment. But then, Evan and his dad and I all started living together and planning our wedding and then… and THEN… we became full-time parents (for at least the foreseeable future) on a Thursday night in March of 2019, about five months after our wedding and when Evan was four. Something shifted for me then – I stepped into a much more active role and felt like there was more we could be doing in our day-to-day lives to support him with his sensory challenges. And honestly, I love digging deep into new things…doing my research. I learned that you can do a lot to help them along (refining fine motor skills, introducing different textures, presenting unique ways to learn new vocabulary, sharpening their senses), especially while they’re young, and that you can make it fun through sensory play. It was also a huge bonus that sensory play was a screen-free way to provide calming stimulation for our sensory craver — something we were in great need of when Evan’s engine level was very high but we didn’t want to just plop him down in front of a screen to calm him down.

So now, I’m an urban planner by day and a toymaker by night. I develop and sell small world sensory bins and water/sand table sets. A new world usually starts with a custom order. I’ll imagine a whole new world and spend a lot of time researching, developing and collecting, and then eventually I have a refined small world that I can put out there on Etsy. Most recently, I’ve been immersed in creating microcosmic Mermaid, Construction, Frozen (movie), Winter Wonderland and Arctic worlds.

Developing these worlds feels like miniature toy collage. I’ve never really been an artist, but I’ve had an eye for composition — photography, interior design, marketing collateral and the like, and there was something about developing small worlds that just snuggled right in with those other things I’d always played with. Not to mention how much I love the intellectual aspects of researching all that is sensory play and developmentally rich toys. Finding the coolest little toys out there? Putting them all together in one small world theme to be discovered as individuals and in the context of a greater whole? Bringing tykes screen-free joy? ALL the sparkles? ALL the treasures? ALL the imaginary adventures? Packing all the wonder I can into one little bin or sand/water table? Yesssss pleeeasssee.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’m usually taking the road less traveled to follow some newfound passion, and no, I wouldn’t say it’s typically smooth riding. I’m still so new to my budding side business and am enjoying every minute of it, but it’s definitely been a challenge to choose to put so much time and energy into work outside of work, especially since I am a full-time bonus mom in addition to all the other hats I wear. But when it’s this fun, it’s hardly fair to call it work. I get to come home and play every day. For now, I think I actually get more from it than it takes, but I’m still so small and it’s all manageable for now. My advice is, simply, find your bliss–your right livelihood–whatever you want to call it. And maybe don’t put ALL of your eggs in your bliss basket right away. You can always find something great to do as a day job and then moonlight with your passion until you know it can support you. For now, a stable career is a necessity, but I am so grateful to have found something I just can’t get enough of in my off hours.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Wunderbin – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I’m still figuring out exactly what Wunderbin stands for, but so far I’m doing my best to become an expert on small world sensory play’s importance in early childhood development and to provide quality screen-free entertainment — a magical opportunity for kids to learn through play. There are a lot of sensory bin makers out there, and some of their products are so cute I could squeeze them. At heart, I’m a researcher that loves whimsical beautiful sparkly things. I can guarantee that my creations will be visually appealing and bursting with learning opportunities. Instructions are included, complete with many ideas on how to get greater mileage out of everything that goes into it. Parents can provide a morsel of direction here and there, and then revel in taking an observational seat–simply watching their child’s play unfold–or even shift their focus to pulling dinner together. I include a book with every bin to enrich the experience and provide suggestions for outings or other resources whenever possible to build on the theme. I also believe many of the toys I’ve curated for the small worlds will find that their hay-day continues long after the child’s interests have evolved and the love of the theme has dwindled and the bin has been dismantled — most toys will retain their wonderment in and out of the bin. Oh, and I include Playmobil whenever possible – LOVE me some Playmobil.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
I’ve become an Instagram nut since starting Wunderbin — it’s amazing at visually blowing my mind all. the. time. I find inspiration on there every day. Pinterest is also a godsend for someone that is as aesthetically and visually oriented as me. I have so many beautiful, helpful nuggets stored on my very organized boards.

Pricing:

  • Most regular-sized sensory bins are $100+
  • I’m beginning to make mini sensory bins and tins that will be closer to $50 and under
  • Sand/water table sets are $75+

Contact Info:

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