ABOUT US

Mari Jones is the founder and director of Leith Toy Hospital, specialising in custom toys and the repair of knitted toys. She also runs Picture to Puppet, our sister company that creates bespoke puppets and soft toys to order.

Mari holds a BA (Hons) in Textiles from Edinburgh College of Art, bringing both creativity and technical expertise to every piece she works on.

Angela is our Doll Department Taskload Coordinator, keeping everything running smoothly while also carrying out beautiful doll repairs and sculptural work. A collector herself, she especially enjoys restoring action figures from popular media.

She also supports the running of our website, ensuring new services are up to date and everything functions seamlessly. Angela holds a BA (Hons) in Computer Arts from Abertay University, where she specialised in 3D sculpting. These skills translate into her precise physical sculpting and keen attention to detail.

As well as restoring Dolls, Our polymath Charlotte deals with mechanial and electrical issues, IT, health and safety and provides an all round agony aunt service. She is also an Expert on BBC1's The Repair Shop. You can watch her here restoring Haisi the doll's cracked and shattered celluloid limbs on The Repair Shop's VE Day Special.

Your dolls are in safe hands with Joel, whose keen eye for detail and love of sculpting allow him to restore even the most delicate features. From recreating missing fingers to carefully repainting fine details, he brings precision and artistry to every repair.

Alongside his work at Leith Toy Hospital, Joel is a practising fine art sculptor who regularly exhibits across Scotland. He studied Fine Art at the Glasgow School of Art, developing skills in sculpting and mixed media that are invaluable in detailed doll restoration.

Aimee is our longest-standing teddy restorer, bringing a wealth of experience and care to every toy that comes through our doors. She oversees incoming teddies, ensuring all necessary repairs are thoughtfully planned and carried out to the highest standard.

Trained as a costume maker, Aimee also delights in creating tiny, beautifully crafted outfits for teddies. She holds a degree in Costume Design & Construction from Queen Margaret University and an HND in Fashion Technology from Glasgow Clyde College, combining technical skill with a keen eye for detail.

Before becoming a soft toy restorer, Lu moved to Edinburgh from Germany to study Medieval Literature, where she rekindled her passion for textiles and sewing. She has a particular talent for finding the perfect fabric match, making her patch repairs both seamless and sympathetic to each toy’s history.

Alongside her work with us, Lu spins, dyes, knits, and takes on textile commissions. She holds an MSc in Medieval Literature and Cultures and an MA in Celtic & Scandinavian Studies from the University of Edinburgh, bringing a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to every restoration.

Juan is our skilled leather specialist, bringing expert care to teddies made from leather, sheepskin, and real fur. With a background in costume design, he has worked on numerous theatre productions, creating durable, stage-ready pieces that stand the test of time.

He holds an HND in Costume for Stage & Screen from Edinburgh College, and his deep understanding of materials allows him to restore even the most delicate teddies with strength, sensitivity, and precision.

Chelsea is our wonderfully mysterious part-time team member, working behind the scenes to prepare detailed teddy repair quotes and keep things running smoothly. When she’s not teaching art to children, you might find her in the workshop on a Saturday, carefully repairing teddies.

She holds a degree in Applied Theatre from the University of Victoria and a degree in Arts Education from Simon Fraser University. Her background brings creativity, patience, and a strong understanding of storytelling. These skills help her appreciate the emotional value of each toy and approach every repair with thoughtfulness.

Karlyn is often the first point of contact at the Toy Hospital, whether answering enquiries by phone or welcoming visitors at the door. She keeps everything running smoothly, managing our teddy patients and ensuring they are well cared for throughout their stay.

She holds a BA in Film & Photography from Edinburgh Napier University and a Level 3 Diploma in Fashion & Textiles from Edinburgh College, supporting her role in quality-checking repair work. With over 10 years of experience in business management and customer relations, Karlyn brings organisation, care, and attention to every detail.

Trissdan began as a teddy restorer and now focuses on creating bespoke mascots and recreating lost toys for Picture to Puppet. His love of sewing and stuffed animals has combined into an absolutley amazing adventure and a great addition to our team.

He holds an HND in Costume for Stage & Screen and a UAL Diploma in Fashion & Textiles from Edinburgh College of Art. His strong knowledge of fabrics supports a careful and considered approach to restoration work.

Yukari is our versatile teddy surgeon, bringing precision and care to every repair. Originally from Tokyo, her expertise in intricate hand sewing is rooted in the traditional Japanese technique unshin, allowing for beautifully detailed and durable restorations.

She holds a BA in Art Studies from Meiji Gakuin University and a HND in Costume for Stage & Screen from Edinburgh College. Yukari especially enjoys hearing the stories behind each toy, weaving a little magic into every stitch.

Cloud is our part time HR manager . You'll often find her wandering around the studio making sure everyone who needs a cuddle gets one. Most of the time, though, she can be found sleeping on the job pretending to be one of the teddies.

Chaos is our trainee HR Manager. She loves to run around the studio and as her name suggests, cause chaos. You'll often find her playing with whichever tool has been dropped on the floor. 

Mari manages the smooth journey of every teddy patient, from arrival through to their return home. She supports customer operations whether it is directing your toy to the right department or giving initial repair consultations. With a compassionate approach, Mari ensures each patient's comfort and keeping their folks informed before, during and after surgeries.

When it comes to restoration, Mari carefully preserves the character and  age of every toy, treating each one with respect and precision. She has over a decade of experience working with textiles and holds a degree in Furniture Restoration from Ikaalinen College of Crafts and Design in Finland.

Alongside her job Mari is a theatre maker and yogi. She can be often found on a director's seat or coaching actors. She also holds a BA Hons in Drama from Queen Margaret University.