Shop Small, Support Local featuring Daisydot

Welcome friends to our fortnightly series showcasing some of the awesome Mum’s who are not just raising fab families but who are also in business for themselves. Every fortnight I’ll share a cuppa (so to speak) with an awesome Mum and learn a bit more about the face behind their business. Personally, I am always intrigued and in awe by those running businesses – the how, the why. I firmly believe that “when you support small business, you’re supporting a dream”. So join us each fortnight as we support each other; as we support a dream!

Today, we have the lovely Shona from Daisydot with us. I first met (who am I kidding we haven’t met) through the wonderful world of social media, Instagram to be exact. For those of you who are are new to Daisydot, Shona creates the most gorgeous softies and dolls. ~~I We~~ Isabelle was lucky enough to receive one of her ‘Bella Bunnies’ and let me tell you everything about them is made with love. From her long floppy ears, to her floral dress with removable tutu, matching pink bow and sparkly gold slippers.

For me I love all the little details like her heart shaped nose, the heart shaped twinkle in her eyes and fluffy pom pom tail. It’s those little things which make you fall more and more in love with Bella every time you look at her. She is seriously the cutest and has been welcomed into our home with lots of cuddles from everyone (well, OK..maybe not from Steve). I can hand on heart say that Bella Bunny would make a fabulous non choccie gift this Easter. Head on over to their website to have a look, but don’t forget to come back and find out more about Shona 🙂

Tell us a bit about yourself, Shona
Hi my name is Shona and I am the creator of the Daisydot dolls and softies. I live in Christchurch NZ with my lovely husband, two fabulous children, aged 10 and 8, and two crazy kitty cats!

Where did the name Daisydot come from?

My daughter! She is a real blondie and was a wee dot when younger. Somehow her nickname seemed fitting for these wee dolls I began creating!

What made you decide to start your own business?
I never actually set out to start a doll-making business! I made wedding stationery for several years before having my children and I have always very much enjoyed many crafts from scrapbooking, sewing, crocheting and macrame. But I was in a bit of a crafty-funk when my daughter suggested I made her a doll! I really enjoyed the whole process from drafting out the patterns to sourcing fabrics and painting the cute doll face. It really spiralled from there, soon after I created the Indy Cat, based on our very own wee cat, and she is now my best seller!

I feel I have been on quite a journey since starting this wee business. In December 2015 I was diagnosed with MS and cancer at the same time so what started as a way to fulfill my creative needs and make a few extra pennies fast became a real lifeline for me. While the kids were at school and husband at work, it made me concentrate on happy things and push all of the medical issues out of my mind for parts of the day. Thankfully as I start 2017 the cancer is in remission and the MS is under control.

What’s your favourite part about what you do?

I really enjoy everything about my job – in fact it doesn’t really ever feel like work! However the one thing that gets me most excited is creating new animal softies. From the Indy Cat, I made the Penny Fox and then Bella Bunny and I’m already planning to add a few more animals to the Daisydot family!

Do you have a favourite softie?

I love them all, but I do have a soft spot for the Indy Cat in her tutu – she was the first of the animals I made and she’s just adorable. I’ve lost count of how many I have made, but the finished cats always make me smile.

When your not working on Daisydot, what do you find yourself doing?
I enjoy spending time with my children and husband in our glorious NZ countryside!

A lot of my readers are Mums who will spend on their children but forget about themselves, do you have any pearls of wisdom for them…

As a mum it is really easy to slip into spending all of our time and energy on our kids, looking after the home, working etc and not giving ourselves a break. It may not work for everyone but I find I get overwhelmed if I don’t plan ahead. And by that I mean REALISTIC plans – for a long time I would make a weekly plan and cram in as much as possible, and then be irritated that I only achieved half of my goals. These days I plan only what is acheiveable and even plan in a free time period every once in a while where I can just sit with a cup of tea or potter in my garden.

Gosh Shona, you have been on quite a journey since you began this wee business venture. I’m so glad to hear that as of the start of the year you are in remission and your MS is under control! Thank you so much for joining us, I love your advice of planning some free time just for you – it is just so important for us as Mums to take some time out for ourselves to referesh and recharge. Now, if you have popped on over and checked out Daisydots website already then you will know that as well as gorgeous softies, Shona also makes lovely bows and headbands (now your little one and their softies can do a spot of matchy-matchy).

The lovely Shona has a wee deal just for Always Made With Love readers. Buy ANY four bows and get one FREE. Simply put your fave 5 bows in your basket, use the code FIVE4FOUR at the check out, and you only pay for four! This offers is avaliable with ANY bows/headbands across entire Daisydot range. Now their is NO excuse for non matchy matchy headbands 😉

If you haven’t already popped on over to the Daisydot website then I strongly suggest you do – you won’t be disappointed. Also, follow Daisydots journey on and , it won’t take you long to decide you need a member of their softie family to join your home. I’m already thinking we Isabelle needs an ‘Indie Cat’ in her collection…

Shop Small, Support Local featuring Daisydot

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