Meet the Chirpy team ... Jenna

Thought it was about time to introduce Team Chirpy, starting with Jenna,

You’ll usually see Jenna in Chirpy on a Monday, the 1st Sunday of the month when the Chapel Allerton Market in running and covering days when I’m on holiday.

We also stock Jenna’s cards and stationery in Chirpy, which are always popular.

So here’s a bit more about her …

Hi! My name’s Jenna, I’m 33 and grew up in Derbyshire. I moved to Leeds for uni 15 years ago and never left! I’m an artist and I run a paper goods business called @joyjenstudio - selling greetings & stationery items online and in some lovely shops around the country (like Chirpy!).

My favourite time of year is summer, not so much for the heat (any fellow redheads can relate I’m sure!), but for the long daylight and all the gorgeous blooming nature. I feel most myself when I’m outside, and while I’ll happily brave all seasons, it’s certainly a little nicer in the Spring & Summer months!

My favourite Chirpy product at the moment is the Liga Beach Clean passport holder. I just think it’s so cute and I’m always eyeing it up!

My favourite thing about working at Chirpy is the lovely chats I have with the customers about the gorgeous items we have in store. I love when someone picks something out that I love too.

An unusual fact about me is that I seem to be acquiring Dad hobbies as I get older. I’ve gotten super into Formula 1 and bird-watching in the last few years and I’m both delighted and baffled by those developments… 😂

(I do have normal girl hobbies too, like pottery, yoga and reading!)

Focus on ...Stormy Knight

This month we’re focusing on Sarah from Stormy Knight.We’ve just restocked with Sarah’s cards following PG Live last month and loved catching up with her again at the RETA Awards

To get to know Sarah a little bit more, here’s a little interview we did with her :

Tell me a little bit about yourself

 I’m Sarah and I run Stormy Knight – a greeting card company that specialises in contemporary illustrated designs with an extra special finish! I run the business with my sister, who takes care of a lot of the day to day running of the business while I focus on the creative side of things! I set the business up in 2013 and I am pleased to say it was one of the best decisions I ever made!

How did you get into doing what you’re doing?

My degree was in illustration, and after graduating I got a job as a graphic designer for a local newspaper company. I spent a lot of evenings screen printing small batches of cards and prints alongside my day job, until I finally plucked up the courage to run the business full time. It took a while… I launched Stormy Knight in 2013 and went full time in 2018 - by that time I was heading up a graphic design team for a well loved kids travel project and was lucky enough to have a very understanding boss who supported me while I reduced my hours and grew my business until I was ready to make that leap of faith!

What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

It’s very unglamorous – a lot of it is admin… processing orders, making sure we have enough stock, helping our customers with any queries. But then there’s also the designing – when I’m working on a new range I take myself out of the office so emails don’t distract me and sit drawing on my iPad. Working on new designs, either by myself or with other illustrators, is my favourite part!

Biggest achievement to date (personally or business wise)?

Our two Henries awards – it felt so good receiving those awards! Personally – it’s managing to juggle a small business with a small child… That’s hard!

Where can we find your cards?

We’re stocked across the UK in some of the best high street card, gift and lifestyle shops, as well as in the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe – we’ve over 500 stockist across the world!

Favourite card you’ve designed  / most popular card design?

Oooh that’s so hard! I can’t pick a favouruite but our best selling card at the moment is our Fave human Bean card by Holly Maguire!

 Have you seen any changing card trends over the last 12 months?

I think people are always on the look out for something different, whether that’s be design style, finish or concept, so we are always trying to be innovative and look for something that isn’t already out there at the moment. And that can be hard in the saturated world of greeting cards! We are currently working on a range of support & friendship cards that have a more contemporary look and sentiment to a lot of the cards out there in the support/sympathy genre (launching in a couple of months so watch this space!)

Why do you think sending cards is still so important?

I love cards. I believe they have the power to make people feel good – whether that’s by sending some birthday wishes, welcoming a new baby to the world or by giving someone a hug when they need it the most, so our company mission is to make the world a brighter place with each and every card we design.

Best thing about running your own business?

 So many things – the flexibility is brilliant as it allows you fit your work around other life commitments. But the main thing is that I get to choose how I shape my business and what I want to do with it. I get such a swell of pride knowing I’ve built this business to where it is today.

Advice to someone looking to turn their hobby / talent into a business?

You’re gonna have to be willing to work hard – passion alone is not enough (but if you are passionate then it won’t feel like such hard work!). Don’t be too influenced by what everyone else is doing – you need to find your place in the market and pave your own way!

Plans for the future?

More of what we are doing – keep designing new cards that are exciting and relevant in todays society. We may look into branching out into other paper products in the future too.

You can find Sarah’s cards in Chirpy and just let us know if you’d like us tp include them as part of our card bundles

Focus on ... Letterbox Lane

This month we’re focusing on Leanne (& James) from Letterbox Lane. I met Leanne when I first owned Chirpy so it was lovely to see up again this year at PG Live tradeshow. We’re delighted to be restocking her gorgeous cards.

To get to know Leanne a little bit more, here’s a little interview we did with her :

Tell me a little bit about yourselves.

Hello I am Leanne and I am the owner of Letterbox Lane, a joyful stationery and paper goods brand based in Nottingham. I started my business around ten years ago with the hope of being able to draw for a living and scatter joy with my designs at the same time. I run Letterbox Lane around my two children who are now at school. My husband James helps out with the business side of Letterbox Lane too when he isn't at his 9-5, maths is definitely more his skillset than mine! 

How did you get into doing what you’re doing?

 I have always created and loved to draw from a very young age, but I actually studied drama at university and carried on acting for a few years after I graduated. I then worked in a school but I found I was creating on the side of work most days. I started off just making cards for friends and family and for the first couple of years my work was all handmade. Then I discovered procreate and found a brilliant local printers and my work really developed from that point. I have learnt everything on the job which has meant it has been a slow journey sometimes,but I am really proud of the progress I have made.

What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

A normal day starts with having a coffee after the chaos of getting two children ready for school. I have a small studio room in our house so the commute is rather easy.

My working day starts around 9am and I finish around 2.30pm ready for the school run. I try to get outside most days and when I start the day with a walk or a jog around the park I always feel better for it. Most days are different but I package online orders most days and have a daily walk to the post office. I spend a bit of time posting on instagram stories and chatting to other creatives on instagram. As an introvert I actually enjoy working alone, but I do go a bit crazy if I don't chat to people, so I kind of see Instagram dms and stories as my staff room. I have been working hard on the wholesale side of my business recently so I will try and reach out to stockists too or package shop orders each week. I also make sure that I structure in time to draw in my sketchbook or on my ipad too, because turning your hobby into a business means that you actually don’t get as much time to create if you don’t make space for it. 

Biggest achievement to date (personally or business wise)?

I think pushing myself last year to do my first trade show felt like such a big step for me and my business. There is so much thought that goes into the stand and how you present your business. I recently completed my second trade show and it was brilliant to see how far I had grown in confidence since the previous year.

Where can we find your cards?  

You can find a selection of my work in Chirpy and nearly 30 other shops around the uk. I also have my own website if you want to see my designs online at letterboxlane.co.uk 

Favourite card you’ve designed  / most popular card design?

One of my favourite cards and also a bestseller is the ‘you make the world brighter’ card which has lots of brightly coloured tulips on it. It is fun and I love the joy it brings.  

Have you seen any changing card trends over the last 12 months?

I have seen more people buying cards to encourage rather than just cards for occasions or milestones. 

Why do you think sending cards is still so important?

I think cards are a way of connecting people. There is something so simple and yet so beautiful knowing someone has gone out of their way to let you know that they are thinking of you, whether that is on your birthday or just because they want to remind you of how brilliant you are. I love that I get to be a part of that. 

Best thing about running your own business?

Bringing ideas from my head onto paper then seeing them made into a product is pretty cool. I also love that I get to work around my family too and buying stuff from charity shops and justifying it as buying props for photoshoots!

Advice to someone looking to turn their hobby / talent into a business?

I would say get around others that are already doing it well, find a community to cheer you on and give you advice. I would also say keep creating just for you, create things that you have no intention of sharing on instagram. 

Plans for the future?

I really want to keep growing the wholesale side of my business. I would love Letterbox Lane to be in at least one shop in every city in the uk. I also want to keep developing my illustrations and would love one day to illustrate a children's book.

To see Letterbox Lane’s gorgeous cards then pop into Chirpy

Focus on ... Holly of Lucky Ink

This month we’re focusing on Holly from Lucky Ink. I found Holly at this month’s PG Live tradeshow and loved her cards so much that she got my Sunshine Ticket. Her cards have just arrived in Chirpy snd few love them!

To get to know Holly a little bit more, here’s a little interview we did with her :

Tell me a little bit about yourselves.

Hello : ) I’m Holly and I have a card making studio in Dunmow, Essex. I’ve been creating and hot foiling cards ‘properly’ for the last 4 years from my garden workshop. It’s very much a family affair with Madge (my Mum) and Matt (my partner) that dive in to help when it gets busy.

How did you get into doing what you’re doing?

I worked in publishing for about 15 years and had the urge to craft something from scratch. So I started learning about letterpress, countless video and books and I volunteered at Letterpress Design when it was based in Rayne. Learning on the job was a brilliant insight. Then I had to juggle working full time in London, volunteering and setting up a small wedding stationery business.

I finally took the leap to go full time self employment after a couple of years and although it’s tough, anxiety inducing and full of unknowns it has been the best decision for me and my family.

What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

A typical good day looks like, up at 5:30am, gym at 6am (more for the old mental wellbeing), home 6:45, coffee & emails, organise kids for school, order anything needed like prints/packaging. Switch on foiler and print any orders. Package and do post runs ideally before school pickup. I juggle this with my 3 year old in tow normally. And if I have time I’ll potter about my garden.

A typical bad day is procrastinating over the to do list and not getting very far and looking at quotes that tangle my head. As well as eating my body weight in sugar and drinking fair too much coffee.

Biggest achievement to date (personally or business wise)?

I felt proud to do my second trade show at Top Drawer, I was in the stationery section. I took a webinar to help with confidence and be proud to show the product I was making.

Anytime someone puts in a second order makes me really proud, the confirmation that the cards are selling well. Up until that point it’s all nerves!

And personal achievement I would say working in different countries. I went through a stage of just saying yes and thinking about it afterwards. I got a few good stories from my travels : ) I don’t have the energy to do it now!

Where can we find your cards?

Slowly building up a lovely indie stockist list. Obviously now at the lovely Chirpy store as well as Otherletters (South-On-Sea), The Baytree Company (Edinburgh), Lathams Home (Epping), Loola Loves (Macclesfield), Bartrums & Co (Hay-on-Wye).

Favourite card you’ve designed  / most popular card design?

I love a pink & red clash so any cards with that combo. My Monochrome and gold collection that is super graphic and bold. My most popular card is Happy Birthday Lovely in gold foil on a black scallop background.

Have you seen any changing card trends over the last 12 months?

For me the changing of technology seems to be creating less exposure for people. It’s harder just to come across businesses by chance. That’s why trade fairs are key to be able to chat and have meaningful interactions.

Why do you think sending cards is still so important?

It’s important to show someone you’re thinking about them. For me I don’t get to catch up with friends a lot so a card means a person has taken time to think about only you, put their words on paper and pop in the post so you receive a sweet surprise on your doormat.

Best thing about running your own business?

I get to juggle. I have time for my family and work from my garden. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do that. And for my children to pop in and make cards with me is wonderful.

Advice to someone looking to turn their hobby / talent into a business?

More action and less thinking about practicalities. Obviously don’t just jump ship but do have the belief and confidence to make it happen, because it will.

Plans for the future?

More designing and maybe expanding into gift wrap. My kids are small so I want to grow things slowly and be able to provide the quality always to my stockists and have a good life balance too

You can check out Holly’s gorgeous cards in Chirpy now!

Focus on ... Onneke Studio

This month we’re focusing on Onneke Studio. We just started to stock her great cards and journals, which are quickly becoming popular.

To get to know Onneke a little bit more, here’s a little interview we did with her :

Tell me a little bit about yourselves & your company

My name is Onneke and I am an illustrator and designer and I own a gift shop with my design studio attached to it.

How did you get into doing what you’re doing?

I became a ‘proper’ greeting card designer in the first lockdown. My gift shop just turned two when we had to close the shop and with me and my husband both self-employed, panic set in and I came up with a plan to pull the shop through. I thought it would be a good idea to sell greeting cards of our local area to my lovely customers. I illustrated the cards as I went along and came up with a little campaign to target people online and it said: You can still send cards to your family, friends and neighbours. At first it was just my customers who bought the cards but as more and more people started to buy them and send them out my reach grew bigger and bigger. By the end of the first lockdown I had sold over 10000 cards and I had the first shops in Sussex request to sell my cards. After that I started to design cards that could be sold all over the UK with a focus on the coastal areas because I love the seaside and I live in a coastal town myself.

What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

I get to my studio/shop around 10 in the morning and always have a long to-do list. I do most of the things myself, though I do get help sometimes packing larger orders and I also have someone who helps me in the shop a couple of days a week. I pack wholesale and online orders every day, order stock, design new cards and prints and work on other products that sit well in the range and I also make sure the shop looks tip top and the studio doesn’t look like a bomb went off.

Biggest achievement to date (personally or business wise)?

I designed a whole new range of notebooks this year and I have been very pleased with how well they are doing. They are staple bound A5 notebooks that you can send out instead of a card (they come with an envelope and a little card to add a message). There is a wild swimming logbook, a running logbook, two different walking logbooks and there are two gratitude journals.

Where can we find your cards?

You can find my cards, prints and notebooks in independent shops all over the UK, though mostly in places closer to the sea.

Favourite card you’ve designed  / most popular card design?

All my wild swimming cards are very popular at the moment, along with the wild swimming logbook.

Why do you think sending cards is still so important?

Sending a card connects us on an emotional level with people that are important to us, much more than a text message or comment on social media can do. It can have such a big impact to send someone a card, or at the very least bring a smile to someone’s face.

Best thing about running your own business?

It’s hard work but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love all sides of my business. The shop gives me face to face interaction with customers and the studio gives me a place to be creative and turn my illustrations into cards that sell around the UK. It’s a dream!

Advice to someone looking to turn their hobby / talent into a business?

It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so don’t give up too quickly. We live in a great time where you can learn a lot just by looking them up online. I learned to design my own website, do my own marketing, and I still learn new things all the time.

Plans for the future?

I have lots of ideas for new card ranges. And I also want to add more notebooks to the new range. I am thinking of a cycling logbook and a travel journal to start with. Watch this space! 

You can find a range of Onneke cards and her Journals in Chirpy

Focus on ... Greenwich Paper Studio

This month we’re focusing on Greenwich Paper Studio. We love their modern cards in Chirpy, especially their new striped range.

To get to know Julie a little bit more, here’s a little interview we did with her :

Tell me a little bit about yourselves

Hi, I am Julie and I do just about everything at Greenwich Paper Studio!

I am very lucky to run my stationery business from the beautiful Greenwich in London.

How did you get into doing what you’re doing?

With a background in Textile Design, and being a stationery addict, I decided it was time to combine the two. I started the business in 2020 alongside my existing full time job and after a short while decided this was what I wanted to do, and took the plunge.

What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

 Every day is different and that is what I love. I normally start by making a good old to-do list for the day. It will normally include packing orders, coming up with new designs, updating the website. A bit of everything. At lunchtime I will always take a break and go for a walk in the lovely park nearby which is good for mind and body, and of course lots of cups of tea! 

Biggest achievement to date (personally or business wise)?-

 I am very proud of the business and my best achievement so far is getting stocked in nearly 40 stores across the UK and the U.S. This of course includes the fabulous Chirpy.

Where can we find your cards?

My cards are stocked in independent stores including gift shops, florists, bookshops and homeware stores.

Favourite card you’ve designed  / most popular card design?

 I really love my new striped collection and these have been going down really with customers. I’m a big fan of the stripe and love the playful fonts.

Have you seen any changing card trends over the last 12 months?-

 Typography I think has become more popular and something that personally I love. Also there seems to be a move towards cards that can be used for multiple occasions and recipients.

 Why do you think sending cards is still so important?-

I think people still love receiving cards and in an age where most things are now done online and virtually, it is a personal way to show someone that you care and are thinking of them. It’s also a lovely keepsake for people.

Best thing about running your own business?

 The freedom to create the products you want to do is an amazing thing. It is still a wonderful feeling seeing my designs in shops!

Advice to someone looking to turn their hobby / talent into a business?-

 Spend some time experimenting with ideas and deciding what it is you really want to do. Research in shops and online and see what is out there and what you can bring that is a bit different. Then go for it!

Plans for the future?

To continue with new designs and build on my wholesale business. In time I would like to expand my product range and offer lots of more fun colourful loveliness to my stockists.

 You can find a range of Greenwich Paper Studio cards for all occasions in Chirpy

Focus on ... Katie Roe

Next month we’re welcoming Katie Roe to Chirpy to run a NEW workshop to make your own Monogrammed Leather Glasses / Sunglasses Case

To get to know Katie and her business a little bit more, here’s a little interview we did with her :

Tell me a little about yourself.

I live in Meanwood with my husband & 2 little boys, we moved back to Leeds almost 9 years ago after spending 12 years living in America. I'm from Leeds originally so it's lovely to be back “home” raising our boys near family. I have always loved art and design and spent my school years putting all my energy into those subjects. I also love to run, running for me is an instant de-stress and time to escape the chaos.

How did you get into doing what you’re doing?

I studied Fashion Design and after graduation I packed my portfolio &  jumped on a plane to New York in search of a job. I landed an assistant designer position at Abercrombie & Fitch. I went on to spend a big chunk of my 20s and 30s in New York working as a womenswear designer for various brands including American Eagle, Gap and J.Crew. When we moved back home I was craving a change, so I learnt the traditonal skills of hand leatherwork and set up Katie Roe Studio. I make leather accessories that combine traditional skills with a modern aesthetic and put responsible, sustainable design at the forefront of my work.

What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

 My week days vary, but always start in a rush with my boys school and nursery drop off. A couple of days a week I try squeeze in a run and then spend time in my home studio doing leatherwork - this can be anything from developing new ideas to making bags or prepping for workshops (the fun bits) to social media, catching up on emails or costing out new ideas (for me the less fun aspect).  My workspace is usually a mess when I’m desiging or making but I think that's often the case for creative people. Two days a week I head into Leeds Arts University where I lecture on the Fashion Design degree. This involves working in the studios with our students supporting them with designing, portfolios and making garments. I always get to spend at least a day in the week with my youngest before he starts school in September - this generally involves mud and a park!

Biggest achievement to date (personally or business wise)?

I think having my boys for sure. The transition into becoming a parent is huge and no one could have ever prepared me both mentally and phyically, so yes that definitely feels like my bigeest achievement.

 What do you love best about running workshops?

I love meeting new people and sharing my knowledge of both designing & traditional leatherwork. Helping people to design & create a leather case that they will own for years and that they are really proud of is extremley rewarding, especially if it is someone who has never picked up a sewing needle or is new to “crafting”. 

 Is there a craft you’ve not tried but would love to?

Oh I would love to try so many - anything that involves working with my hands and creating stuff! Pottery and carving would be high up on the list, glass blowing looks fascinating and when I was younger I always wanted to get into millinery (hat making). Basically I think I could give you a huge list if we had enough time!

 Why should people shop local and support their local indie businesses?

Shopping locally is putting your hard earned money into the livelihoods of an indie artist or shop owner that works so passionately and hard to do what they do - rather than giving your money to huge corporations that focus on mass production, often at the expense of quality and the impact it has on our environment. Shopping locally keeps our highstreets alive and really does mean the world to the artist and shopkeeper, plus you are guaranteed to purchase something that is more unique.

You can join Katie on her workshop on Sunday 9th June to make your own leather glasses case. use the code INTERVIEW5 when booking to get £5 off

Focus on ... Jan & Robert of Pavillion

This month’s Focus on .. is Jan & Robert of Pavillion, a gorgeous range of modern cards we’ve been stocking for a couple of years

Here’s a little interview we did with them both to find out a little more.

Tell me a little bit about yourselves.

We are Jan & Robert, we live/work in Norfolk with our dog Ripley and have been together since 2005. Pavilion was launched in January 2018 after 18 months of designing and forming our first collection of greeting cards.

How did you get into doing what you’re doing

Our backgrounds are in design, Jan’s as a textile print designer and Robert’s as a stylist. We both love fashion and print and had worked together on creating a range of printed scarves and bags which became wall art prints which we sold locally at art craft fairs and markets. We then looked into turning the artwork of the wall art into greeting cards and then it took off from there.

What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

The day starts with walking Ripley in the morning, then as we work from home many mornings will involve a run which is a good start to the day as you get to think about and plan the day ahead as you are jogging and also it gets you out of the house for a while before you get to your desk. We often have a quick sit down together to look over what needs to be done, there’s usually orders to be processed, packed and booked on with couriers. A lot of our time in the studio is spent coming up with new card ranges, designing the prints and overseeing proofs of the new collections for the next season. No two days are the same.

Biggest achievement to date

We have had many big achievements since setting up the business, we both feel very proud when we are approached by major galleries and museums and asked if they can stock Pavilion and affiliate:107 (our partner brand) as these shops are very focussed on design-led products. More often than not we are asked to supply these stores as our products sit in line with upcoming exhibitions that the venues are presenting which is a big compliment.

Where can we find your cards?

Our collection is very varied, ranging from modern, simple through to heavily patterned colourful designs. This means you can find us in a very broad range of stockists from many independents across the UK, US along with other stores around the world as well as the museums and galleries mentioned before. We sell into jewellery stores who love our modern, foiled designs to sit along side there jewellery, as well as many florists who love our floral/illustrative cards. Since launching our notebook collections we have found that we have gained many stockists that are focussed purely on the notebook/journaling side of stationery.

Favourite card you’ve designed  / most popular card design?

That would have to be our Radar Card Wes which is our best seller by far and is also very indicative of our brand, really beautifully coloured, bold and impactful paired with a huge gold foiled star motif. We designed this card to being joy and happiness and our customers love it and always repeat buy when ordering along with new customers who have to have it on their shelves in store.

Have you seen any changing card trends over the last 12 months?

We are not probably the brand to ask about card trends as we draw inspiration for our new ranges from sources that are not trend-led. In fact we find most of our ideas come from artwork, fashion collections and graphics from way back.

Why do you think sending cards is still so important?

Sending a card is a very personal way of letting someone know that you are thinking about them whatever the occasion. Many of our customers keep the cards they are sent as a reminder of a special time and even frame them as a keepsake to have on their wall.

Best thing about running your own business?

There are many good aspects to running Pavilion, the best part is the designing process. So much of our time is spent discussing and then physically creating the artwork for the products. For both Robert and myself as creatives turning our ideas into stationery goods is a massive part of the brand. Customers at trade shows are always surprised that its just Robert and I that put the brand together as there is such a wide array of design styles and themes that are a part of the collection. When we set up Pavilion we had no real business experience so it’s been a massive learning curve to running the brand too and seeing our work out in the wild.

Advice to someone looking to turn their hobby / talent into a business?

Research is key, we spent a lot of time researching and going to look in shops at other brands for all aspects of the greeting card/stationery world before we finally committed to exhibiting at a show. We had to think about where we would sit in the industry and what we had to offer, what was unique about our work and what would draw the customers in. If you want to commit to a trade show its important to visit and look at how you would set your stand out as it is a big financial layout and look at existing brands and how they present themselves to show attendees. It costs a huge amount of money to set up so allow yourself to have the finances to launch, I spent a long time working my regular job freelancing as well as setting up Pavilion to keep a steady income coming in.

Plans for the future?

We are forever talking about the future and what we would like to do with the brand, whether its new card/stationery ranges or discussing new products we would add to the collection. For the immediate future we are focussed on creating new and interesting stationery with our unique point of view and hopefully continuing on gaining more stockists that love our work and who knows what the future holds?

Focus on ... Niccy from Type & Story

This month’s Focus on .. is Niccy the founder of Type & Story, a new card range we’ve just started to stock which is proving very popular in Chirpy

Here’s a little interview we did with Niccy to find out a little more about her.

Tell me a little bit about yourselves & your company

Hello I am Niccy and I am the designer / founder of Type and Story! Its rather cliche but I founded the business after having an identity crisis after having given birth to my son! I didn’t have a job to go back to as I was was a freelance graphic designer and felt completely lost in the patriacle world of demanding projects and inflexible timelines! Type and Story was essentially a passion project whilst my son slept and isn many ways was my personal exploration of desire to creatively explore this new identity that was emerging… it was less about what I was creating, more that I WAS creating.

How did you get into doing what you’re doing?

I had always worked in retail either on the shop floor or as a Visual merchandiser in head office. I grew up in London and worked at ‘aspirational’ department stores such as Liberty, Selfridges, Harrods etc. Despite the diabolical salary, I came out with unbelievable friends who I am still to this day 20 years on very close too. For all the hours I spent in these fashion houses, I developed a taste level for product, good design and colour which was undoubtably shaped by my surroundings.

What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

A normal day consists of 6.30am Yoga / run, school drop off, walking my dog, then 4 hours of working before I do the school run again! 

Biggest achievement to date?

My biggest achievement to date business wise was being awarded a golden certificate at my first ever trade show for my Planet Earth range at PG Live via Paperchase who went on to order 27,000 units. I was so shocked an in awe that my tiny little stand and small collection stood out enough in the crowd. Why this moment stands out for me is that it felt validating that my messaging on my cards that is direct and soulful and that is how I want to be spoken to yet no other cards at the time we’re offering that. So the approach to my cards was being noticed and that felt important.

Where can we find your cards?

Oliver Bonas, Anthropologie, Papersmiths and loads of aspirational independent shops, concept stores, museums and art galleries, florists bookshops and coffee shops!

Have you seen any changing card trends over the last 12 months?

I think there is a move away from the traditional rectangle card with more publishers moving towards die cut cards, mini cards and cards that are inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community.

Advice to someone looking to turn their hobby / talent into a business? 

Just get on with it. Ask your self why you are holding yourself back? Are you making excuses  and if so what are you really hiding from?   

 Check out Niccy’s Instagram here

Focus on ... Liz aka Dicky Bird

This month’s Focus on .. is Liz, one of our favourite card suppliers Dicky Bird. Liz’s cards fly of the shelves in Chirpy and are some of the most popular we stock so we thought it was about time we shone a light on her

Here’s a little interview we did with Liz to find out a little more about her.

Tell me a little bit about yourselves & your company

Dicky Bird is me - Liz - a small studio based in South East London. My aim has always been to create cards which are elegant and classic but also contemporary and fun.

How did you get into doing what you’re doing?

I originally trained as a graphic designer at the London College of Communication but was always a fan of European illustrators such as Dick Bruna and Tove Jansson - as well as Japanese kawaii characters like Hello Kitty! A serial card buyer, I was always searching for simple, understated designs but could rarely find them.

What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

There are lots of different days really. As a one woman show you have to do everything! But I like that. I hop from new designs to accounts, trade fairs to product research, customer service to photography.

Biggest achievement to date?

Seeing my designs for sale in the Parisian boutique Colette, once described as ‘the trendiest store in the world’ by Forbes. What can I say?!

 Where can we find your cards?

Over the years, Dicky Bird cards have graced the shelves of Liberty of London, the Design Museum, The British Museum, Tate Modern & Tate Britain, The Designers Guild and The Conran Shop – but most importantly, many amazing independents – like Chirpy!

Favourite card you’ve designed / most popular card design?

That’s an impossible question! But I do really like the Black Cat design at the moment – it just reminds me of something from my childhood I think.

Have you seen any changing card trends over the last 12 months?

I honestly try not to look at what other card publishers are doing – I just like to keep in my own lane and do the things I like. Things I’ve liked lately though are toadstools, blossom flowers and nail art.

Why do you think sending cards is still so important?

It’s still a hundred times nicer to receive a card in the post than it is to get a text message or digital card. There’s just something a bit magic about it and I don’t think that will ever change.

Best thing about running your own business?

In a nutshell, being your own boss. It gives you freedom.

Advice to someone looking to turn their hobby / talent into a business?

If you think there’s a market for what you do, give it a go. I started off by producing a small collection and selling at fairs and markets – it gives you a good idea of what’s popular and what doesn’t sell. Remember it can be a bit lonely at times – and don’t forget you have to do the boring stuff too, like accounts!

Plans for the future?

I‘ve done some collaborations with other designers and companies in the past and I’d like to do some more of that. It’s nice to work with other people.

 Check out Dicky Bird’s Instagram HERE

And pop into Chirpy to buy Liz’s cards, but be quick as they sell out!