Norah Wellings

Norah Wellings (1893 — 1975), British toymaker and designer. Known for her work at Chad Valley Co Ltd and later in her own factory, Victoria Toy Works.

Life and career Norah Wellings was born in 1893 in Shropshire. Her father Thomas was a master plasterer, her mother was named Sarah, and Norah had a brother called Leonard. Norah had a good education and excelled in botany and art.

Norah Wellings started working at Chad Valley Co Ltd in 1919.

In 1926, she established Victoria Toy Works in Wellington, Shropshire, England. The factory had six employees, including some family members. As well as her own brand dolls, Wellings continued to make Chad Valley dolls in similar style. Wellings' dolls are often made of cloth (felt, velvet and velveteen), and represent children and adults, as well as storybook characters. The manufacturing process involved moulding buckram over a layer of plastic wood, overlaid with steamed felt. The faces were then handpainted on, with a waterproof coating to make them washable.