hi! my name is angela
I'm the illustrator behind Dapple & Dot and I live in the New Forest in the UK. I love wandering off into the forest and getting a bit lost, putting fairylights on EVERYTHING, creatures of folklore and storytelling. Dapple & Dot is where I make all the weird, beautiful little things that make me happy. Everything is made from sustainably sourced paper and wood stocks (FSC & PEFC certified) and made locally in a lovely New Forest workshop. All packaging is recyclable or biodegradable - please dispose of them responsibly!
the story begins...
Dapple& Dot was started in 2022, originally as an Etsy shop. I was having the best time ever, getting proper hands on with production, learning on my feet and designing what made my heart happy. Learning to run a business was a lot of trial and error, but that weirdly made the gremlin in my head very content. After a mega first Christmas which took me a bit by surprise (the advent calendar is still my favourite creation EVER), I left my job and began working at Dapple & Dot full time in 2023!
the story continues...
Dapple continued to grow with the most amazing customers (seriously, you guys are the LOVELIEST customers ever) and in 2023, we launched the wholesale side of the business and got stocked in over 70 amazing shops all over the world. I also created my first ever pop out card, and since then have created over 50 of them. In 2024 I launched my website, hit 28,000 sales on Etsy and got to create a tiny workspace with the starry ceiling of my dreams - the OG Dapple cupboard. And through it all, I was surrounded by amazing people who helped me with their expertise & generosity - Dapple was shaped by so many of you and I love you all so much.
new beginnings...
But here's the catch - I didn't actually have formal ownership of Dapple. The company had been set up in my friend's name, with the view that I would eventually take over. In June 2025, the friend decided to step away from the business, and in November of 2025, I finally bought the rights to my designs! I unfortunately could not keep the Etsy in this process (did you know you can't change the owner of an Etsy store?) but started a new one and revamped the website for a relaunch of the business - but this time, owning all my own designs!
the next chapter...
So, here we are today! This year has brought a lot of big changes for Dapple, but I am so excited for the future and I am eternally grateful that I get to build my little business and create my silly little things everyday. Thank you so much for being a part of Dapple & Dot's journey - I really hope that you find something that you love here!
Until next year's update,
Angela x
