Angi Roberts: Creator of Drakestone Primitives: Dolls, Bears, and Other Creatures

I spent a lovely winter afternoon in Angi's glorious, unique, home. She showed me her surprising collection of creatures and dolls, which have a distinctive, loved, feel to them all.
I published an article about her in the Northumberland Gazette, in December, 2019.
This is reproduced below.

Angi is the eldest daughter of a very well-known Coquetdale Creative, Allan Wood. The whole family is artistic. There are three daughters and they, like their mother, are talented sewers and makers. Angi tells me: 'We didn't have a lot of money, growing up. We made our dolls clothes, and our own outfits'.

After leaving school, Angi started work as a seamstress for Dukes and Marcus. 'I loved it, I thought I would do it for the rest of my life'. However, the factory moved, so she had a number of other jobs over the years, while raising her family.

Angi always sewed though, and was pleased when an opening occurred at Three Bears' Playthings, Linda Calvert's company, which designed and manufactured educational role-play equipment.

When Angi met her husband, stone-mason Martin Roberts, she moved to Harbottle. Once she was settled there, she began her business, Drakestone Primitives, making a variety of dolls, bears and other creatures.

What makes these creations unique, is Angi's talent for the quirky. She has a fine eye and is attracted to unusual and eccentric designs. 'My own style seemed to come out once I began'.

Looking at one of the bears, I ask how she produces the pre-loved, aged look. 'I experimented and finally settled on mixing walnut crystals with ink and water' It is this focus on the detail that makes Angi's creations stand out.

I pick up the bear and am taken with how agreeable it feels in my hands 'He has steel shot in for the weight' she explains. 'I stuff them with sawdust, for authenticity'.

I admit to being a bit disconcerted with the dolls. They have strange big eyes, but I like their intricately designed clothes and accessories. 'I buy a base with a jointed body' Angi explains, 'Then I carve the face using a scalpel. It takes about a day to sand the face down, then, after colouring it, I seal it with special varnish'.

These dolls are not for children; they are adult collectors' pieces. They are called 'Blythe dolls' and can sell for thousands of pounds. There are 'Blythe conventions' all over the world. In the UK there are 'Blythe Meets,' which Angi has attended and met with other people who also love these dolls.

Angi leads me upstairs to her amazing workroom. It is crammed full of interesting bits and pieces drawing my eyes all over the room. Lots of fabrics, dolls heads, threads, buttons, beads. It is a treasure trove. Angi really comes to life in here as she shows me several different projects she is in the middle of.

I ask her what she has most enjoyed making? She tells me 'I made a bear for my dad, Old Blue, he called it. It is very special to him; he never had a bear when he was growing up. He loves it'. She shows me a picture of Old Blue.

I love him too.

Old Blue.

Angi clearly loves this work, she is truly animated and passionate as she explains all aspects of this occupation.

Eldon Memorials offers bespoke memorials, name add-ons, and an extensive restoration service.

Restoration work, from the website.

Angi's husband, Martin, works with stone, and makes a selection of different types of memorials. He is an expert in making pet memorials, door names, and other stone work.

A stunning example of Martin's stonework.

'But why have you brought me upstairs, through a different door?' I ask.

Well, not only has the ever resourceful Angi taken on a new role in the business with her husband, she is also letting part of her house as a holiday home!

Townhead Cottage is available on Cottages.com and is receiving well-earned fabulous reviews.

'How do you find time to create?' I ask, after admiring this wonderful studio.

'I have to make time, as I love sewing and creating so much' Angi answers. 'I have to, I need to be making, quite a lot of the time'.

Angi explains about the Blythe dolls in the boxes, and it is clear that not only does she love them, she is also extremely knowledgeable about them.

I look at some of the tiny costumes she makes for these dolls. Angi gleefully shows me an outfit she is in the middle of designing - she does not really draw a plan, she sees in her mind what she wants to make, and it might change as she begins the creation. This rabbit eared costume is one of these. It is developing as she creates.

A tiny little costume, with cute rabbit ears and tail, being created.

Hats, and tiny costumes.

I had a lovely time in the company of Angi, and her two dogs, who keep her company as she works on her creations.

Two lovely dogs, pretty Daisy and cute Poppy, snuggled up, watching as Angi creates.

Find Angi on Instagram
and on Facebook