It took new Circular Head local Debra Williams three tries to get to Tasmania after buying a house and registering her business here in February, but with restrictions easing she was finally able to cross the Strait in August.

Now the time has finally come to complete her dream of opening a storefront for one of her long time hobbies, puppet making.

“We’ve been running around doing all sorts of things trying to get it all set up,” Debra explained.

“At the same time I’ve been trying to make stock to go in there already so, it all takes time to get organised.”

Opening two days a week from 10am to 5pm Debra will be selling some handmade pre-made puppets, handmade original bags, soft toy repair, soft toy conversions, soft toy repair and restoration, children’s books and one off hand made gifts.

“What I’m intending to do with the shop front is I’ll have some stuff made up but customers will be able to come in and request custom made puppets.”

Also a children’s author, she will have her own books for sale as well as a book nook for children to read in.

“The main aim is to encourage children’s imagination and children reading,” Debra said.

“I also do story telling myself so it might be a case of if kids come in and my husband can manage the counter I might whip out some puppets and do a story for them.”

She also runs puppet making workshops for kids, in which they can develop their own characters and learn how to use them.

“They have so much fun with it, the kids are often very creative," she explained.

Opening for the first time on October 8 from 10am, Debra invites everyone in to her storefront at 39 Smith Street to have a look. There is ample parking space out the back.