Hi, I’m Jasmine, the maker and creator behind Mina & Friends.

I’ve always been creative, whether it was darkroom photography, silversmithing or floristry, I always enjoyed the process of bringing something to life.

To help keep my mind active during the first lockdown, borrowing a friend’s sewing machine I taught myself how to sew by binge-watching YouTube.  Firstly, lavender bags, and eye masks, then a friend asked me to sew a doll for their newborn baby.  They must have sensed my itchiness to try something else related to sewing, as I didn’t have the patience to sew adult clothing, but when the idea of sewing a doll came up..oohh I got excited!  

So, I deep dived into researching fabric dolls and that’s when I realised there wasn’t many dolls out there that reflected the diverse world we live in, so that spurred me on make the doll. Found a doll pattern and adapted it and practised on an old duvet quilt, before making the actual doll and it was a success.

That’s how Mina & Friends started.  It has been a slow progress but progress all the same and Mina & Friends has evolved to include 3 different range of dolls, baby dolls, comforters and some forest babies.  All my dolls are available in 6 different skin tones and hair colour.

I design and handmake the dolls myself, with great care and attention and the faces are hand embroidered by myself.  My aim is to ensure that your little one will have a lovably cuddly child friendly doll for many years to come.