Polly had a Dolly

March meet the maker week two

Here’s a round up of my second week of #marchmeetthemaker challenge organised by my fellow instagrammer @joannehawker. 

Do follow me on Instagram @polly_had_a_dolly or try searching the hashtag #marchmeetthemaker to find more makers!

Day 8: Where  

I work from home, a very small ordinary two bedroom terrace house in the village of Staplehurst in Kent, England. The house was built in 1975 and has lovely big windows for letting in the light. We grow our vegetables in the front garden – our back garden is North facing. 

Day 9: Goals 

 My immediate goal is to keep developing my doll making technique and refine my designs to make dolls that children will play with everyday, whilst ensure my customers have brilliant one-to-one bespoke service. An intermediate goal of mine is to develop a line a patterns for fellow doll makers to buy. In my dreams my daughters would go into business with me and take Polly had a Dolly to places I can’t even dream of. 

Day 10: Favourite small business Fig and me is a brilliant, amazing, wonderful doll maker who lives in Canada. Her dolls are gorgeous but still for children to play with. She is a huge inspiration to me and gives me belief in myself. 

Day 11: Post run  Here are my latest three dolls, ready for their new homes. Two are staying in the UK but one is off to Kosovo.

Day 12: First ever sale  First ever sale. This beautiful Polly doll was my first ever sale. It surprised me as she is my most expensive doll but it really helped with my confidence! 

Day 13: Feedback

 I’m proud of my 5⭐️ reviews in my etsy shop. I try so hard to make each order individual and special. Thanks to all those who have taken the time to leave feedback

Day 14: Creative friends I have so many creative friends but I have picked four who are also on Instragram with creative businesses. One is an old friend: There’s Only One Amy Laws, one is a new friend: Blazing Needles, one has become family: Samantha Eynon, and one has supported me so much in my new business: The Little Red Hen Jewellery. Thank you for being my friends 😘 

Published by Polly had a Dolly

I am a creative person - there is no escaping it! My friends describe me as a ball of creativity, quirky and unique. I thrive on new ideas, innovation and aesthetics. I have designed and made things all my life, I studied Industrial Design at Brunel and went on to work for big brands in Design Management. Now, as a mother of two, I am passionate about providing a fun, inspirational and educational environment for my girls which nurtures creativity and ingenuity. My doll making business brings all parts of me together - it allows me to combine my creative skills, business mind and, most importantly, motherhood. With Polly had a Dolly, I have tried to bring back a part of childhood that sadly seems lost in today’s world of screens and indoor, passive play. That innocence of childhood which only requires the very basic to stimulate a universe of imagination, creating the most magical of moments. Please take a look at my dolls - they are designed for children to play with and I wish every child could have access to a "Waldorf' inspired doll. I also care passionately about our the environment so I try to use natural materials and make dolls that will last a lifetime.

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