Every single one of these beautiful dolls and cats are made from scratch, hard packed, hand stitched and can be made to order, or choose from current stock. I also create a wide range of pin pony pin cushions and plague masks.
Commissions have ranged from a Rwandan princess to fully fledged Zombies!
For something as unique as you.
Your business in a nutshell – Pretty Darn Perfect is creating something that is as unique as you are. I love the weird, wonderful quirks that make us all individual and I create the curios in the same light. You might see the same fabric on the stall but you won’t ever see the same doll. That is the one thing I strive for because if we were all the same, the world would be pretty boring.
Best seller – Has to be the kitchen witches and pin ponies, everyone loves them. My favourites are my dolls, I get to immerse myself in creating their own story complete with their own part of their world.
Business Name – I was sitting in my mums kitchen listening to the radio with a glass of wine and my lap top. I remember we were working through the pros and cons of starting doing order based dolls. I was working as a waitress at the time and didn’t have much time or enough of a reputation to just jump straight for a business. Eventually it came down to a name and there were many sewing related names thrown out until a song on the radio caught my attention. It was Pink and her song ‘Perfect’, of course the radio version had a certain word changed to damn. I literally jumped and said “Mum! Pretty Darn Perfect” and that was it.
What draws people to your art? – For the dolls, cats and kittens it is usually the story of their character that pulls people in. The kitchen witches have their own little quirks along with their name. For example, My name is Helena and I always pinch the last biscuit. A lot of people like the whimsy of them. The pin ponies speak for themselves, they are cute. The voodoo doll pincushions, I like to believe are bought for their purpose of holding pins. I did have a customer stop by one day and tell me her one worked great. I was to scared to ask what they meant. In all honesty I did not think the plague masks would sell but people love them, I’ve had a few people order tartan ones for their friends and family in America because they went to Mary Kings Close when they were over here and loved it.
Best/worst things about self-employment – Best – I work for myself. I get to create, design and make anything and everything that pops into my head. If I make a mistake, I don’t have someone pointing it out or making me feel useless. I can set my own work day and deadlines and move said deadlines if something comes up . The best bit is I can work it around my kids and I can be at any school event without having to try and get time off. That means the world to me.
Worst – I work for myself. The worst part is I come up with all these amazing ideas completely forgetting that it is just me that has to put them all in to action. I can disappear into my room fully prepared to work on a doll and reappear with half a dozen pin ponies before I realise that wasn’t what I was meant to do. I find commissions easier to organise because I have a set routine for them but when it comes to sorting out what I need. My head gets more confused than squirrels at a rave.
Previous jobs – I used to work at a pizza restaurant as a waitress and also had a small job as an apprentice seamstress. I was made redundant from one and left the other. I then started working at a tearoom one of my friends owned and then left to become and cleaner at a factory. That was my last job before I had my son.
Long-term goals – To have my own shop one day. That is the ultimate goal, it may never happen but I like to dream.
With hindsight, what would you tell yourself? – I could write a book on that question. The main advice would have to be, stop doubting yourself. Pretty Darn Perfect has become stronger and more successful over the last 4 years because you started creating what you want. Not everyone has to love what you do and that is okay.
Other small businesses you admire and buy from – There are so many! In a nutshell, all the lovely vendors at the Small Business Market and the Artisan market in Dunfermline. I don’t want to name one or two because there are so many that I buy from and admire. However, I do have to name the wonderful Tregaver Fibre in Cornwall, without her incredible small business, my dolls wouldn’t have such gorgeous hair. One of my friends in America follows her business and told me to check her out, I instantly fell in love with her ethics and placed my first order. My favourite part about Tregaver is you get a label telling you which sheep your wool came from and I love telling my customers that as well.
In any spare time I like to – Pole dance. Yes, I am being totally serious. I have been doing it for 5 years this year. I go to Studio X in Dunfermline and I love it. It gives me time to clear my head and everyone who goes there is just amazing. If I’m not there I am either in the woods, at a park or on the beach with my kids.
Music / Podcasts while I work – Ghost, Tenacious D, The Struts and The Distractable podcast
Favourite Scottish restaurants/pubs – Maki & Ramen
Best Scottish celebrity – Billy Connolly
Best Scottish film – The Black Isle
Money no object, where would you on holiday? – Venice, I have been there a few times and absolutely adore it!
Do you believe in Nessie – Of course!
Anything else you’d like to tell us? – I am in the process of writing two books about the dolls and pin ponies. I did aim ridiculously high and said it would be out last year but halfway through writing the stories, I changed my mind and chaos ensued. The pin pony book is coming along a lot smoother and already has a fair few illustrations and a storyline.
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