Awards & Recognition — Upper Dhali®

This page documents key awards, finalist recognitions, and industry acknowledgements received by Upper Dhali® over time. As the brand has grown, this post has been updated to reflect recognition across multiple years in Australia’s handmade and women-founded business communities.

2022 — SHE-Com Product Awards

In 2022, Upper Dhali® entered the SHE-Com Product Awards for the very first time. Having never applied for industry awards before, the process was unfamiliar, last-minute, and quietly daunting.

Two handmade dolls — a Pop Culture Storybook character and a Mermaid doll — were submitted for judging. Each entry was assessed on overall merit, including written application, craftsmanship, finish, function, and presentation.

Upper Dhali® was honoured to receive:

• Finalist — Handmade Product of the Year
• Finalist — Australian Made Product of the Year
• Silver Editor’s Choice Award — Handmade Product of The Year

For a brand built slowly, intentionally, and by hand, this recognition was both validating and deeply encouraging.

2023 — SHE-Com Product Awards

In August 2023, Upper Dhali® returned to the SHE-Com Product Awards — this time with greater clarity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of its own creative voice.

The result marked a meaningful milestone in the brand’s journey:

• Gold Winner — Best Children's Decor Product of the Year

Moving from finalist to Gold Award recipient represented not only growth in skill and refinement, but a continued commitment to creating dolls with emotional depth, story, and intention.

2023 — Ausmumpreneur Business Awards

Later in 2023, Upper Dhali® was also recognised by the Ausmumpreneur Awards — a national program celebrating women-led businesses across Australia.

Upper Dhali® was named a finalist in the following categories:

• Finalist — People’s Choice Product Award
• Finalist — Handmade Business of the Year

These acknowledgements were particularly meaningful, recognising not only the finished products, but the values, resilience, and care behind a small, independently run creative business.

Looking Forward

While awards are never the goal, they serve as gentle markers along the way — affirming that slow, heartfelt craftsmanship still has a place in a fast-moving world.

Upper Dhali® remains committed to creating meaningful keepsake dolls that honour memory, connection, and the quiet stories we carry.