Meet Alice & Thread: Handmade Creativity from devon

There’s something rather lovely about buying something that has been made by hand.

In a world of mass-produced products and fast fashion, Alice & Thread is a wonderful reminder of the creativity, care and individuality that can be found in handmade goods. Based in Devon, Alice & Thread is an independent online craft shop offering everything from embroidery and cross-stitch kits to handmade accessories, fabrics and thoughtfully made children's clothing.

And, as you might expect from the name, thread is very much at the heart of it all!

Handmade in Devon

Alice & Thread was created by Alice, a maker who brings together her love of sewing, embroidery and textiles to create products designed to be enjoyed, used and loved.

The business was formerly known as SimplyWishes and has grown into a lovely collection of handmade and craft products, with many items created in Alice's home studio in Devon.

One of the things that really stands out is the personal nature of the products. Rather than simply buying something off the shelf, you're buying something that has been designed and made by an individual maker.

That makes each piece feel a little more special.

From embroidery kits to handmade clothes

If you're keen to have a go at embroidery or cross stitch yourself, Alice & Thread has a brilliant selection of beginner-friendly kits.

There are plenty of colourful designs to choose from, including ice-lolly, rainbow, home and jigsaw-inspired cross-stitch kits, as well as smaller projects such as bookmark and initial kits. There are also embroidery kits and essentials for those who want to develop their sewing skills.

And if you're not particularly crafty yourself, you can still enjoy Alice's creations.

The shop includes handmade accessories such as eye masks, purses and hair accessories, alongside a small collection of children's clothing. The children's range is made in limited quantities using carefully chosen fabrics, with some designs being one of a kind.

There's something particularly appealing about children's clothing made in small quantities rather than one of thousands of identical pieces.

A little piece of Devon

One of our favourite parts of Alice & Thread is the beautiful collection of hand-embroidered gingham fabric flags.

Inspired by places that hold special memories, the flags can feature seaside towns, beaches and other favourite locations. Customers can choose from ready-made local designs or get in touch to create a personalised flag featuring somewhere meaningful to them.

Each flag is cut, sewn and embroidered by Alice to order.

They're the kind of piece that can turn a favourite place or holiday memory into something tangible — whether that's displayed in your home, garden or given as a thoughtful gift.

And being handmade in Devon makes them feel even more connected to the places they're inspired by.

Learning to make your own

Alice & Thread isn't just about buying handmade products — Alice also helps other people discover the joy of making.

She runs embroidery workshops for beginners, introducing participants to a range of traditional embroidery stitches including blanket stitch, chain stitch, French knots, running stitch and backstitch.

Her workshops are designed to be accessible to beginners, with materials provided so you can simply turn up and have a go. Alice also creates craft kits that allow people to continue their projects at home.

It's a lovely example of how independent makers can create not just products, but experiences and opportunities for people to learn new skills.

Supporting independent and local makers

Alice & Thread is also available through a number of independent stockists across the South West, including Maker Mart in Exeter, Pom Stitch Tassel in Bovey Tracey, Little Adventures Play Cafe in Kenton, Rockpool in Totnes and Devonmade in Paignton.

For us at Circular Social, businesses like Alice & Thread are exactly what makes shopping locally so interesting.

It's not just about where something was bought. It's about knowing who made it, discovering the story behind the product and choosing something with a little more personality.

Whether you're looking for a creative project to enjoy yourself, a handmade gift, something special for a little one, or a personalised keepsake connected to a favourite place, Alice & Thread is well worth discovering.

Discover Alice & Thread

You can browse the full collection, discover the latest handmade creations and find out more about Alice's workshops through the Alice & Thread website.

Supporting small, independent makers means helping creativity, skills and local businesses continue to thrive — and that's something we can all get behind.

Find Alice & Thread online and discover your next handmade project or special piece.