Jane Van Cleef the creater has always loved making things. In 2010 aged 25, she wanted to strike out on her own with a big project.  One weekend she made the first Hazel Village doll - a tiny Annicke Mouse. It was inspired by the toys and crafts she had loved as a child, and by her favourite childhood stories like Brambly Hedge, Uncle Wiggly, and the Little House stories.

After the tiny Annicke, she made a few more woodland friends, and their Hazel Village world became clear to her. IShe decided to try selling them on Etsy and around Brooklyn, just to see how they did. And people loved them! Before Jane knew it she was racing like a lunatic to keep up with demand.