Finding the Right Doll: Heirloom, Keepsake, or Lovey?
Finding the Right Doll: Heirloom, Keepsake, or Lovey?
One of the questions we hear most often is: "I know I want a Thicket & Thimble doll, but which type is right?" It is a fair question. We make three distinct collections, and while they share the same characters and the same handmade spirit, they are designed for quite different purposes.
Here is everything you need to know to choose well.
The Heirloom Collection: Art You Can Hold
Size: 45cm | Price: £120–148 | Limited editions of 100
The Heirloom Collection is where it all begins. These are Rose's original, full-sized dolls — made entirely by hand from Irish linen and European wool felt, with hand-embroidered faces and meticulously crafted clothing.
Each edition is limited to just 100 pieces worldwide, and every doll comes with a numbered tag. They are decorative art pieces first and foremost — designed to be displayed, admired, and kept for generations. The materials are chosen to age beautifully, so a doll bought today will look just as lovely in thirty years.
Best for: Collectors, special occasion gifts (christenings, milestone birthdays), nursery decor, anyone who appreciates handmade artistry.
The Keepsake Collection: The Little Sister Collection
Size: 37cm | Price: £26–74
The Keepsake Collection brings our beloved characters to life in a beautifully accessible format. These dolls feature watercolour-printed linen bodies with beautiful illustrated details, handcrafted into decorative keepsake dolls with rag-doll style legs — perfect for sitting on a shelf.
At 37cm, they are the perfect display size for a nursery shelf, bedroom bookcase, or mantelpiece — unmistakably Thicket & Thimble, with the same characters and woodland charm as the heirloom range.
Best for: Birthday gifts, christening gifts, a beautiful introduction to the Thicket & Thimble world at a gentler price point.
The Lovey Collection: Small but Perfectly Formed
Size: 27cm | Price: £39–49
The Loveys are the youngest members of each character family — the smallest, the most collectible, and the most giftable. At just 27cm, they are designed to be displayed: small enough to sit anywhere, charming enough to stop visitors in their tracks.
Made from natural linen and wool felt, a Lovey has a gentle weight and a quiet, handcrafted quality that makes it a beautiful keepsake gift. They are available in all of our woodland characters — Hare, Fawn, Lamb, and Dormouse — each with their own quietly charming personality.
Best for: Christening gifts, new baby gifts, a first introduction to a favourite character, anyone looking for a small and perfectly formed keepsake.
How to Choose
The right doll depends on three things: who it is for, what it is for, and your budget. Here is a quick guide:
Recipient is a baby or toddler? Start with a Lovey. They make a wonderful christening or new baby gift, and the perfect introduction to a favourite character.
Looking for the same characters at a more accessible price? A Keepsake is ideal — printed on natural linen with original watercolour artwork, and beautiful enough to display for years to come.
Looking for a special occasion gift, a collector's piece, or nursery decor? An Heirloom doll is the one. There is simply nothing else like it — handmade, limited edition, and made to last a lifetime.
Not sure and want to start small? A Lovey or an entry-level Keepsake is a wonderful way to discover which character speaks to you — and many of our customers find that one doll is only the beginning of a collection.
They All Share the Same Heart
Whichever collection you choose, you are getting a doll made with genuine care by a real person in the English countryside. The scale and materials differ, but the spirit is the same: handmade, character-driven, and made to be part of someone's story.
Browse the Heirloom, Keepsake, and Lovey collections to find the perfect match.
