i make all of Rhino's toys. it's way cheaper that way! and the best way to renew interest in a toy is to change the older pieces around and add just a couple new logs or coins to the same toy.
as for sisal and other natural ropes, etc for stringing toys..... DON'T BOTHER! lol. chins will seek out the rope and chew it up, causing the toy parts to be on the cage bottom the next morning. trust me, i know! i made Rhino a bunch of toys with seagrass rope and he must've had a blast because it looked like a tornado had gone through his cage! :rofl:
i picked up some wire from the hardware store (i believe it said stainless steel on the package), used what key rings, carabeener clips, binder rings, spring clips, and pear links i had kicking around, and got to stringing! lol. just make sure that none of the metal hardware is zinc coated, as zinc is harmful to chins. nickel plated is best. heck, you could even twist the end of the wire around the cage bars if you have no clips. just be sure to tuck the wire end around and away from your chinnies' inquisitive noses/faces.
there are a number of different woods that are safe for chins, and they don't have to be kiln dried, but they do need to be prepared properly. for barked wood, it is suggested that you scrub it clean, boil it, then bake it until the wood is dry. i've never processed my own wood, but hopefully others that have will chime in soon on exactly what to do.
woods and other toy parts i've bought for Rhino (all were pre-drilled, thank jeepers, as i'm no good with power tools! lol):
ocotillo
mulberry
willow
red willow
yucca
cholla (actually a cactus!)
apple
birch
elm
cottonwood
grapewood
kd pine blocks
loofah
vine rings/hearts/stars/balls, etc.
the coloured/flavoured wood pieces from petsmart
pumice
lava bites
palm leaf shredders
here's what i did just this weekend:
edited to add: for dying wood, you can use either food dye or kool-aid. if using kool-aid, just use the drink mix with NO SUGAR added. soak the wood as long as you want, until the desired colour is achieved.