Behind the scenes: Werner Reifentiere

The Last Guardians of a Craft That Turns Wood into Wonder

When I first saw the work of Werner Reifentiere, it revoked something familiar but long forgotten in me – how Christmas felt as a child. That feeling of warmth and wonder: unwrapping delicate wooden and glass decorations, baking with family, sitting by the ceramic stove while snow drifted outside. A deep sense of safety, beauty, and belonging.

That’s the kind of magic Christian Werner and his family bring into the world with their creations and deep family values they spread with their story.

Their workshop in Ore mountains, town called Seiffen, Germany, is one of the last to preserve the nearly lost art of “Reifendrehen”, a centuries old technique where spinning wooden rings are hand-carved into animals, then sliced into dozens of miniature figures. What was once a clever way to repurpose mining tools when the Ore Mountains ran out of ore has now become a symbol of resilience, ingenuity, and quiet resistance to mass production.

In this interview, you won’t just discover the story behind handcrafted toys and candle pyramids. You’ll find a vision of life shaped by faith, family, and a deep respect for making. A reminder that true craftsmanship doesn’t just create beautiful things – it creates the feeling of home.

“Reifendrehen is a unique craft, mastered by only about six people worldwide.”

Could you share the story behind the company’s inception and your role within it?

“Reifendrehen” is a unique craft, mastered by only about six people worldwide. It has always remained in the town of Seiffen. By the mid-1970s, the craft was only practiced in museums. That’s where I learned it. In 1985, I decided to pursue this craft on my own again and founded the company Werner Reifentiere, which still exists today. Thus, “Reifendrehen” has returned to the economy.

“By the mid-1970s, the craft was only practiced in museums. That’s where I learned it.”

Who are the people and experts behind Werner Reifentiere Workshop?

Our factory employs eight people, each of whom is an expert in their field. My son Andreas turns the tires and carves them. I develop the designs and products. Our employees carry out all other processes (assembly, painting, varnishing, etc.).

What was the first product that your workshop produced?

Our first product was Noah’s Ark. Since tire turning is primarily for crafting animal figures, it proved to be a good theme. I am also a devout Christian and wanted to depict a biblical theme. It was still the GDR era, which was very hostile to religion. And so my product proposal was initially rejected. At that time, no product could be brought to market without government approval.

I was supposed to build a farm, but I turned it down. Since there was no one else besides me to bring tire-turning back into the economy, it had to be approved after all.

“For this, we need close-grained spruce wood. We find and purchase this high quality in the Austrian Alps.”

Is there a particular traditional technique or method you are most proud of keeping alive?

We are particularly proud of ring-turning technique because it is so unique worldwide. As you can see in the video on our homepage, an outsider can only recognise the figure when we split it from the ring. This creates a special surprise effect.

What do you do to ensure that the products you make will last?

The animals are split and carved. For this, we need close-grained spruce wood. We find and purchase this high quality in the Austrian Alps. Our products are extremely durable thanks to the good connection between the various parts. No joint is simply butt-glued, but always with tongue and groove or dowels.

All work steps are not automated but depend on skilled craftsmanship. It would be impossible to automate the steps. From the first to the last step, such an animal is 100% handmade. It is in no way comparable to automated products.

Is there a piece of advice from a fellow craftsman that has profoundly influenced your approach to work and life?

I got the best fundamental advice from my father. He always told me that we had to be very good. Good isn’t enough. He was himself one of the most well-known artisans in Seiffen and my greatest supporter.

“It’s not about trends, but about creating values that last for decades.”

How do you create designs that feel timeless, rather than following trends?

It’s important for me to have a solid foundation in faith and family. It’s about consistency, perseverance, and values that outlast me. This also influences my products. It’s not about trends, but about creating values that last for decades.

In an age of fast consumption, what message would you like to convey about the value of intentional, handcrafted products?

It’s especially important to teach our children, that their hands aren’t just for operating screens. Rapid consumption also weakens us as humans in our creativity, our perseverance, and our personal development in general. Thus at some point, we as a society will no longer be competitive.

“It’s important, especially to teach our children, that their hands aren’t just for operating screens.”

If you could gift one of your designs to someone building their forever home, which would it be and why?

I would give our pyramid chandelier as a gift. Because the combination of candlelight and movement transforms the room into a wonderful play of shadows.

Crafting Calm and Connection in a Fast-Moving World

The work of Werner Reifentiere is so much more than charming wooden animals or elegant pyramids. It offers us three quiet lessons that feel more urgent than ever:

• Preserve what matters. In a world spinning ever faster, this family has created a haven rooted in faith, mastery, and intergenerational care. Their work is a rebellion in the softest, strongest way.

• Don’t give up, repurpose. When the mining economy collapsed, the people of Seiffen didn’t abandon their tools. They transformed them into something that still brings joy two centuries later. It’s a lesson in resilience and in seeing possibility in what we already have.

• There is still magic in this world. For children and adults alike. When you watch a rough wooden ring being sliced and see a tiny deer emerges from the grain, you’re reminded: not all beauty is visible at first glance. And when that figure joins the dance of a candle pyramid, something ancient and human awakes inside us a sense of gratitude, wonder, and connection.

If you’re seeking to bring that feeling into your home, especially during the winter season, take a moment to explore their work. This is craftsmanship that brings us closer: to the past, to each other, and to the parts of ourselves we don’t want to lose.