SHORT FACTS
Name: Teresa Illingworth
Age: 46
Lives in: South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Occupation: Online Seller
Known for: Sindy Inside My Closet books which can be found in my online store when they are back in stock. https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/craftylittlecat
Favourite Sindy: Starlight Sindy Blonde
Questions and Answers
1) Q: How did you first discover Sindy? A: Sindy was a large part of my childhood. I was lucky to have parents who could afford to indulge my love of Sindy and a mum who did and still does like Sindy very much.
2) Q: How old were you when you got your first Sindy? A: I think I was around 5 years old when I got my first one.
3) Q: What model was your first Sindy? A: She was the Active Ballerina from that year, a Brunette.
4) Q: What kind of Sindy/Sindy item did you dream about as a kid? A: I wanted the Superhome but as my bedroom wasn’t big enough I wasn’t able to have it because my brothers and sister were still at home, I didn’t get the bigger bedroom until they left. I was always bought the furniture for one.
5) Q: What kind of Sindy/Sindy item do you dream about now? A: I loved the Emanuel fashions and also Spanish Eyes. My favourite Emanuel fashion was the Sailor style outfit from 1986. I had both of them as a child and they got stolen from someone who came to play and I never got them back.
6) Q: What led you into your Sindy career you have today? A: I have always loved the clothes, I had more clothes than actual dolls. I can spot a Sindy clothing item or outfit a mile off.
7) Q: Can you mention three people you think helped you there? A: My parents always supportive, especially my dad who is no longer here, he never minded traipsing miles to car boots. Of course, many collectors who have helped me with hard to find pieces to feature in my books, so more than three I am afraid.
8) Q: Do you have a special goal for your Sindy work? A: I met that goal, I wanted to produce identification guides for the fashions that people could use with ease and finally find out what they suspected was Sindy, actually is.
9) Q: Can you mention three people you think of as doll influencers? A: Off the top of my head Matthew Hadley of Dollsabouttown, he is amazing, his dolls are beautiful and has been very supportive of me. I wish I new of more but I don’t use Instagram too much so I don’t get to look people up.
10) Q: What do you love/like/appreciate about Sindy? A: She is timeless, a true English rose. She still holds her popularity and people still fall in love with her now.
11) Q: Do you have a list of your published books, if so please share! A: Sindy Inside My Closet 1963-1979, Sindy Inside My Closet 1980-1989 and Sindy Inside My Closet Hasbro 1989-1996.
12) Q: What book/s about Sindy do you think TLSM should have? A: I only know of mine and The History Of Sindy which I believe you own them all.
13) Q: Anything else you’d like to share with us? A: I just want to say a big thank you to all that have shown support to me and written me such lovely messages about my books, telling me how much they have helped, because that is all I ever wanted them to do.
THANK YOU Teresa for your amazing work and for taking the time to answer all the questions!
June 2026