Makers Directory

It was during the November 2020 pandemic that my dolls first came to life. Home-schooling was included in our daily routine despite my five year old’s turned up nose. In a creative attempt to encourage reading I had the extravagant idea of crafting the characters in a story we were reading to visually bring the story to life – a story I had written about two paper dolls and their paper adventures. Penelope and Presley were the first two puppets I created. Over the following year the demand for my dolls increased tenfold. What initiated as making dolls for our own play has very quickly turned into my dream job: in January 2021 my dolls were accepted by The British Toy Makers Guild and over the next 18 months my dolls with be featured in publications such as the Dollshouse and Miniature Scene Magazine which also features more about my foraging around the Thames in Greenhithe.

I make handmade collectables such as woollen animal paperweights, giant leather bookends and quirky bookmarks. Having worked as an upholsterer for several years, many of my sewing stuffing and design skills were easily transferable in terms of creating my products.
I am inspired by nature, particularly woodland animals and also British and European folklore. I use natural and ethical products where I can such as British woollen fabric from our local mill, leather from a local wholesaler and recycled polyester.
My products range in price from £7.50 for an animal bookmark to £300 for a bespoke large traditionally made Teddy Bear with tailored clothes.

Little Toy Dogs are hand made collectable toys, designed and stitched by Alice Wood in her south London studio. Using traditional toy-making processes Alice creates unique characterful toy dogs from beautiful mohair fur fabrics, which have been used to make the best Teddy Bears and toys for over 100 years.

Alice is a member of the British Toymakers Guild. She trained in pattern cutting before studying BA Illustration at Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts and MA Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art.

Prices from £25 for brooches and pocket toys, £165 for main collection toy dogs and custom work/commissions from £195.

TreeFall Design was created by British designer, Manda McGrory. Following an unusual career path that includes running away with the circus, training as a carpenter and working as a bank manager, Manda discovered her true passion for all things textile whilst expecting her first daughter in 2004. An interest in traditional quilting led to a passion for […]