A brief history and other facts about Thimbleselect

Thimbleselect has been operating throughout Australia and beyond since 1988, after initially being set up in South Africa in May 1987. I have been collecting thimbles since 1984, and am as passionate about collecting thimbles as you are.

I operate by mail order, with all my stock on hand at home here in Brisbane, Australia. Specialising in Australian hand-crafted thimbles - I concentrate in supplying the unusual and the indigenous, rather than thimbles available commercially. I offer an unconditional return of goods supplied, provided they are received back intact. Tho my business name is Thimbleselect, I do have quality needlework tools for sale as well.

If you'd prefer to buy your thimbles and needlework tools in person, I regularly do collectors fairs in south-east Queensland. The list is available under buy in person page.

My bias towards Australian thimbles is only natural having had "Thimbles of Australia" published, in July 1998, by Kangaroo Press. The publication led to a huge increase in the collecting of Australian thimbles, which is good for all of us. Visit my other website Thimbles of Australia to find out more about the book or to order a copy.

A perennial problem for thimble collectors is where or how to shelve their thimble collection. I have found someone here in Queensland who makes a range of wooden racks, including those with glass doors. They range in price from $55 with a 70 thimble capacity, to glass-doored racks with a 250 capacity, at $160. New designs are being created all the time. Photos of some racks currently available can be found on in this catalogue on the display cases page.

I am selling entire collections of thimbles and tools. There is usually only one of each item though. Be sure to put your name on our updates list.

Happy collecting

Sue Gowan

Last updated 1 January 2008