During the First World War, the Dryad Works provided a Leicester hospital with off-cuts of cane for basket-making by wounded soldiers. There was a growing demand for cane and other craft materials for use in occupational therapy and in schools. Peach set up another offshoot of his business, Dryad Handicrafts, to supply this demand. He was convinced of the importance of craftwork in education but only if standards were high. He wanted to encourage the teaching of handicrafts in schools and elsewhere and to try and raise standards of amateur work by selling good quality materials and tools selected by professional makers. Under Peach’s direction, Dryad Handicrafts developed a network of resources including a range of well designed and informative leaflets written by practising makers and teachers. The firm also produced pattern sheets, information folders, cards and charts available through mail order catalogues. Demonstrations and summer schools were held at Dryad and some staff also ran classes for Women’s Institutes, schools and colleges throughout the country. Dryad Handicrafts’ showroom was at 42 St Nicholas Street Leicester. Crafts from all over the world including Czech glass, colourful kitchenware from Germany and Poole Pottery were on sale. Some items were displayed on dressers and sideboards designed by Ernest Gimson. A second showroom in London was opened in 1928. By 1936, when Peach died, Dryad Handicrafts was the largest supplier of handicrafts in the world.
