Annie Rose White is the creator of Cosy Dice, a website dedicated to making some of the coolest dice bags around. From Game of Thrones dice bags to Harry Potter and Doctor Who, Annie weaves geek culture into every design. Annie can be found attending conventions across the UK.

Ryan has caught up with Annie to talk about the side to gaming that personalises and helps players create their own identity on the tabletop.

Ryan: Was there a particular instance which inspired you to work in games or was it a natural progression from a lifetime spent gaming?  

Annie: The real reason for turning, what was a hobby, into a profession was my disability.  As a Zoologist my Ehlers Danlos Syndrome prohibited my ability to engage with animals in a consistent manner.  So Cosy Dice was born through the necessity.

R: How was it that you got your start into the retail side of games and setting up stalls at shows?

A: Well money has always been tight, as a cottage business, so its fair to say that Cosy Dice was started on a shoestring with a second-hand embroidery machine and an old sewing machine back in 2004.  Since then we have procured a semi-professional and fully professional embroidery machine as well as new standard sewing machine to improve quality and production.

R: What games are you currently playing at the minute that you love? Do old favourites ever make it off of the shelf?

A: Currently I am mostly playing board games, namely Ontiama which is both quick to play but challenging, as the time commitment to Wargames is a challenge for a working mom!  Ticket to ride and Takinoko are long time favourites that get regular outings. I started out, as many do, with a High Elf Warhammer Fantasy Battle army moved to Malifaux 1st edition and then to board games as parenthood and running my business used up more of my time, but I still find the odd evening to paint some models as my son is getting older.

R: Your store is a treasure trove of geek inspirations. What influences your decision for applying a piece of art or ‘geek imagery’ to the dice bags?

A: Wow that's the difficult question to answer I will have to say everywhere in life, there isn't one particular place.  Inspiration can come from anywhere and at anytime sometime it will come from games, gaming or the little discussions when playing games.

R: The Cosy Dice website went through a lovely redesign in October. How do you balance preparation for shows and fulfilling online orders?

A: LOL I have to say as best I can or perhaps badly.  I find it a massive challenge to balance the needs of the website, bespoke orders, trade shows and trade customers.  The direct customer always comes first and alongside maintaining product quality I value the gamers.

R: Can you talk a bit about the preparation for attending the shows? Are you on overdrive, embroidering as many bags as possible or do you always have a steady reserve made for shows?

A: Most certainly in production overdrive at this time of year I am focused on stock for the big shows.  Every dice bag is hand made from the raw materials by myself, every single bag. There is no outsourcing or 3rd party production.  Only our range of sachels and apparel arrives to me in an assembled format prior to a little Cosy Embroidery magic.

R: Do you have a favourite event that you look forward to every year?

A: That's an easy one for me its UK Games Expo.  I plan my entire year around the Games Expo event. The atmosphere is amazing with so many like-minded happy gamers, families and newbies.

R: As a wheelchair user who attends and showcases at many events in the year, what are some the difficulties that you can encounter?  

A: It's all about the ease of access.  It's not easy to explain how challenging a small step, inconsiderately parked car or lack of a drop curb can be when you are travelling in a wheelchair.  Some of the locations we visit do not have smooth surfaces in parking areas, stone paths and grass are nearly impassable. In general, the larger venues are the best as they are legally required to have disabled friendly parking and access, some of these are good for visitors but less so as a trader.

R: How do you think events can improve when it comes to considering those with disabilities which are both visible and invisible? Or is it that there needs to be more consideration from the general public who attend events?  

A: It's about the mindset, putting yourself in the place of that individual who cannot manage a single step or uneven surface.  About allowing clear space around stands and tables for good access. Making space for quiet areas and places to rest. Most shows do not allow free tickets for Carers.  Better information upfront also helps; are all the areas accessible? Where is the best parking? Routes for disabled access (which is generally not the main entrance on older venues)?

R: 8th March is International Women’s Day. As a woman how do you navigate the tabletop industry? Does being a woman who also has a disability sometimes make inclusion more difficult?

A: As a woman, I strongly believe that the industry has come along way in the last few years.  Women in the industry are no longer the unusual exception they once were. As most games are sedentary they are very much a benefit to keeping my mind active as well as a focal point of interaction and a common interest, preventing isolation due to my disability. If it wasn't for gaming me and my Husband would never have never met. I owe everything I am now to this hobby. It changed my life and brought me the greatest happiness.

What's the most obscure geek reference you'd love to see on a dice bag?

(As full disclosure, in addition to the custom dice bags made on Cosy Dice, Annie also makes merchandise for Beasts of War/ OnTableTop. You can check out that merchandise here)