Plush miner Kalle: This is how he enchants the children in the Ore Mountains!

Plush miner Kalle: This is how he enchants the children in the Ore Mountains!

In the coming weeks, the Erzgebirge will shine in a festive mood, and the children's little hearts will beat faster with a very special Christmas present: the plush miners. Two creative minds from the region have managed to transform the rustic charm of the Ore Mountains into cuddly companions that keep traditions alive.

Tabea Rohr from Großschirma has created a real gem with her plush miner “Kalle”. The trained wooden toy maker, who is also the mother of a five-year-old daughter, was inspired to create this project while reading the Steigerlied. After about a year of development, “Kalle” is now in all its glory – equipped with traditional clothing, a friendly face and a sound function that can play the famous Steigerlied in the lantern. These loving details are the result of Rohr's experience in toy making, where she places great emphasis on quality. The production is carried out by a specialist company from Heidelberg, so that the children can look forward to consistent quality. “Kalle” will be available both online and at the Christmas markets in the Erzgebirge from mid-November. Additionally, Rohr plans to offer an angel design to spread the magic of the holiday season even further

Another plush miner

But Tabea Rohr is not the only one who brings the tradition of mining into children's rooms. Janina Brille, a 22-year-old designer from Eibenstock, also caused a sensation with her plush miner “Fritz”. “Fritz” is the first of its kind from the Erzgebirge and is 100 percent handmade. The cotton doll, which is filled with polyester, proudly carries a pickaxe, a head lamp and a virgin wool ass leather. A special highlight is the zipper on the back of “Fritz”, which allows you to insert a rattle or music box. So the little miner can sing the Steigerlied or the Sandmännchen song.

“Fritz” comes from the name of an ancestor and is sold for 60 euros. It is available at www.schachtwerk.de and in the MomoKidz store in Schwarzenberg. Through her work, Janina Brille wants to preserve the culture and tradition of her region, which is highly valued by the local population.

Tradition and future in the Erzgebirge

Both projects wonderfully show how old traditions can be reinterpreted. The market for handmade wooden toys has grown in popularity in recent years. The products from WERNER SPIELZEUG also enjoy great recognition. The Werner family of entrepreneurs focuses on high play value and creative solutions that bring joy to children and adults alike. The mechanical wooden figures, which present themselves in various movements, convey the magic of the Ore Mountains through their detailed design.

As this Christmas season approaches, the plush miners “Kalle” and “Fritz” are the perfect gifts to introduce the younger generations to the tradition of mining. The Ore Mountains certainly still have many stories to tell, and we can't wait to see how the future of these charming products will develop.

So it remains to be said: When it comes to innovative, regional products, both Tabea Rohr and Janina Brille have shown a good hand with their lovingly designed plush miners, which are waiting for the children from mid-November.

Blick.de reports on the exciting developments in the Erzgebirge, while Tag24.de highlights the latest trends in the region. Those too Werner toy homepage offers insights into high-quality toys that warm the heart.