MakerMagpie

Caroline started her shop in 2010 as a way of taking her passion for teaching to people all around the globe. A teacher of felting, knitting, sewing, puppetry and toy-making, Caroline has years of experience in empowering people to make beautiful toys and objects to inhabit their world. Caroline believes people of all ages should have the opportunity to play with wonderful materials and the chance to learn to make things that bring joy to their lives.

Refining the way she writes her patterns and tutorials over many years has helped her break things down into steps and help people learn complex skills in the most straightforward way.

“I love the sense of achievement and delight people feel from seeing something lovely that they have made with their own hands."

Each material contained in her kits has been carefully researched and sourced to provide the most ethical and environmentally-friendly options, in both animal and human terms. All dyes for wool are Oeko-Tex certified and child-friendly and the wool used comes from non-mulesed flocks. Instead of sponge pads, kits contain 100% wool pads, and again instead of polyfil she uses only sheep's wool stuffing.

“As someone who sees past the surface to what something is made from, and who it is made by, I want to look at my kits and feel completely happy about every stage in their production.”

Most of Caroline's kits and patterns are inspired by the natural world and the beautiful wet and boggy corner of Ireland she inhabits. Small felt animals are designed to fit in a baby's hand or go on an adventure in a toddler's pocket, bringing a little bit of the natural world into anyone's life.

“Seeing small handmade objects adorning my home is a reminder of joy, of nature, of wonder. I love that people around the globe have crafted objects in their homes made from my kits and patterns. In this way we share in the magic of creative play, of learning and making in a beautiful, fulfilling and sustainable way.”