The bright and colourful characters of Artiwood are the creation of Byron Bay designer, John Adri Daniels.

Since 2000 John has been developing Artiwood into one of Australia's most successful producers of educational and fun puzzles and toys, with a large range of colourful animal characters, including many Australian wildlife themed toys.

Each puzzle is cleverly created from a single wooden block, cut into pieces that seamlessly fit back together. Alphabet and numbers are incorporated into many of the artistic designs, which can range from simple sets of five pieces through to more complex puzzles of 26 or more pieces.

"Our motto is endless creative learning that does not cost the earth," John says.

From the first stages of design and development through to final maunufacture, Artiwood considers the environmental and social impact of their products.

The wood used for Artiwood toys is carefully selected rubberwood, an unendangered and easily replenshible species that is cultivated on Sri Lankan plantations.

Artiwood packaging is also kept to a minimum and recycled wherever possible.

"In helping mother Earth, we take pride in the joy we deliver piece by piece," John says.

Safety is a priority with Artiwood. Only child-safe paints and laquers are used and each toy meets international toy safety regulations including testing to EN71 and ASTM F963 standards. 

Artiwood toys are produced in Sri lanka where John has established a production company that practices ethical manufacturing.

"We proudly support and finance conscientious and ethical international production," he says.

The end result is a range of hand-painted wooden toys and puzzles that bring joy to the children who play with them, while helping to support the community that produces them.