About Artful Toys and Antiques

Our Service Pledge To You:
Our goal is to make your buying experience pleasurable. We want you to be happy with your purchase, and will work with you to make that happen.

About Us

Welcome to Artful Toys and Antiques

We, Phil Lepley and Barbara Bureker, have been collectors for many years. Phil primarily collects vintage and antique tin wind-up toys, penny toys, tin still banks and vintage yo-yos, while Barbara is most interested in inkwells and other desk accessories. During our years together, we’ve found a great deal of pleasure in other antiques as well, such as art glass, porcelain, miniature portraits and various sewing utensils.

This shop was started as a way for us to share our love of history and antiques with others. As well as being collectors, we are both consummate researchers and have quite extensive knowledge of both our own collections, and of other antiques that we buy and find interesting. One of the ways we keep our knowledge current is through collectors' organizations. Phil is a member of the Still Bank Collectors Club of America and also the on-line Area 51 Yo-yo club. Barbara belongs to the Society of Inkwell Collectors, and is the editor of the Society’s quarterly journal, The Stained Finger.

We both look forward to helping you find the perfect item to add to your collection, or perhaps giving you a reason to begin a new collection!

We would love to save you time by gift wrapping your item - free of charge. Just ask!

Note about Packaging: Due to our concern for the environment, we will re-use boxes and shipping peanuts that are in good condition. We take a great deal of care in packaging our items and will not compromise their safety in any way.

See what our happy customers have to say:

"To my pleasure the vase is PERFECT. I am very happy. It will be the nicest piece of Tiffany glass in my collection. I would like to thank you for excellent packing and service!!!!!!!! Words can't describe your professional approach and kindness." A.L.

"I received the toy. I have only one word - AWESOME! Thanks so much." P.B.

"You have outdone yourselves once again. Both of the inkwells from my recent transaction are beautiful. They were packaged very well and the shipping was extremely fast. I always know when I purchase an item from you that it is going to be better than described. I'll look forward to doing future business with you and thank you for supplying quality collectibles at a very reasonable price."
Ron

"I received the items today. They arrived safely and were definitely carefully packaged as well as shipped promptly. Thank you so much for being such professionals. I am very pleased with your service and the items received. Absolute thumbs up for you."
Mario

"The pen is beautiful! Thank you for the excellent service as well."
D.B.

"WONDERFUL inkwell! I love it. Your narrative was perfect. Thanks so much!"
J.W.

"The inkwell arrived in today's mail, safe and sound, in perfect condition. Thank you very much! It is a beautiful object, and I am very glad I was able to work with you to purchase it. I look forward to possible future acquisitions..."
E.F.

"I received the space ship today and it is very nice! Thank You! That was very fast shipping. I appreciate you letting me place it on layaway. I will keep you in my favorites list for sure. Thanks so much, it's been a pleasure doing business with you both!!"
Glenn

"Thank you so much, beautifully packaged! It's a pleasure doing business with you."
Jim