Wee Toaty Things

Hi, I am Lori, owner of Wee Toaty Things. I am a Highland lassie, who lives on the exceptionally beautiful Isle of Skye with my husband and young daughter. My Mother is an artist, so as you can imagine, I’ve always been surrounded by colour, expression and inspiration (as a teen instead of going round the shops, looking for boys, I would take the bus through to Inverness and visit the museum & gallery there for hours, just taking it all in). Unlike my talented mum, I have no talent for drawing, painting or sculpture, much to my chagrin, instead I focused my love of the Arts into a more academic realm, as a trained museum professional. I started out as a collections assistant, for the Scottish Life Archive, then helping conserve and preserve the collections in Bute House, Charlotte SQ and Scotland’s national mining collection, moving from this to becoming deputy curator of a substantial and very important military collection, finally ending my career in the Middle East, managing a multi million pound Fine Art Collection.

Wee Toaty Things started pretty much by accident more than by design. I had come across paper bead art and jewellery whilst doing historic research for a fashion through the ages exhibition whilst at St Andrews University, I was utterly fascinated by them and they made a lasting impression. Once we moved home to the Highlands, to bring up our daughter, my museum career very much took a back seat. Living in a fairly rural area, parents find themselves happily helping with after school and weekend clubs, it was whilst I was helping at the Lochalsh Junior Youth Club (that coupled with my frugal nature and need to recycle) saw me re-researching and crafting hundreds of paper beads for the children to use in their crafting projects. What the kids didn’t use, I brought home and turned into jewellery for family and friends. These pieces got such lovely comments, so I sort of fell into starting a Wee Toaty Things shop. I love making paper beads and jewellery, it calms me right down, and lowers my stress, which is no bad thing. Each bead is cut, rolled, lacquered and mounted by hand, so it is time consuming, but I think you will agree, it’s definitely worth it.

I’m happy to take commissions, if you have a paper that is special to you, from wrapping of a special gift, a map of a favourite place or newsprint from your wedding day, I can turn it into a one of a kind piece that is uniquely for you, don’t be shy, just ask via the contact form.

Shipping policy

UK orders are sent via Royal Mail 1st Class signed for post and should arrive in 3-5 days. International orders are sent via International tracked service and will take at least 10 days to arrive. Postage costs are per order with this seller.