About the Maiksmännels 

The "Maiksmännels" is a project I started in 2008. The idea was to have a better live-work-balance and to find a hobby that is a real balance in comparison with me job sitting on the office desk

As you can guess from the name, Maiksmännel are little man that have been created by me. That is why they are called »Maik’s Männel«.
In German it is much easier than in English. For belittlement we just append the suffix »-chen«. It is similar to the English »-let« like star and starlet. So a »Mann« is a »man« and a »Männchen« is a »little man«, a »manikin«.

Each Maiksmännel is crafted by hand and is unique.
The process of making it can last from just a few days up to weeks.

In matters of handicraft there must be pointed out, that this is a special type of handiwork done be a left-hander. However, no special left-hander tools are used.

All Maiksmännels are unique. There is no mass production. For all Maiksmännels that are dedicated to a person or a special event and who are made to give away as a gift there are two of them, the original and a so called »Doppelgestalt« (Doppelgänger). But anyway, the Doppelgestalt is never identical to the original. There is always a difference in colour, gender or design. However, the original intention and the accessories are nearly identical to the original.

Essentially Maiksmännels are made from natural materials where wood plays a dominant role. Only if an accessory cannot be made of wood or it is too complicated to make it other materials are used.

Maiksmännel have only one purpose, to give pleasure. That is the case during their making as well as in their live after. During the process of making I have a lot of pleasure and joy in making them. After that I enjoy on them and I hope that any of the people who got one do as well.