Focus on ... Sophie Eloise Calligraphy

This month we’re focusing on Sophie from Sophie Eloise Calligraphy. Sophie will be running her Mindful Calligraphy workshop in Chirpy on 13th March.

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

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I’m Sophie, mum to a toddler and a whippet. I am a calligraphy artist, creating wedding signage and teaching workshops and also dabble in watercolour. I love trying new creative things but calligraphy has been consistent for me - I love the mindful nature and creating beautiful words!

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

I attended a calligraphy workshop myself in 2017 and spent a lot of time practicing and making cards for family and friends. I then set up my instagram page in 2021 after hand painting signage and stationery for my own wedding. I wasn’t loving my day job and this provided me a lovely creative outlet. The following year I handcrafted wedding signage for 8 friends & family alongside my full time job. It was a huge learning curve but I got so much satisfaction from the end results. I started teaching workshops after requests and love sharing the practice!

Favourite things you’ve designed  / made?

I love my bespoke handpainted birth moon artwork. These combine my loves of calligraphy, watercolour and all things celestial! Sometimes it feels like the whole world is going digital, but nothing beats real, tangible pen and paper for me.

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

Just go for it! It’s cliche but stop waiting for the perfect time and just get started. I remember such a tingle when I first set up my instagram and business email address! Then my Etsy shop and everything else flowed from there. It’s brave taking the leap but so worth it and I love looking back at my journey to see how things have evolved and grown.

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

I’d love to try making my own jewellery!

What do you love best about running workshops?

Supporting people to relax and enjoy trying something new, whilst simultaneously slowing down and being really mindful about what they’re doing. We live in such a fast paced world, I like to see my workshops as two hours of calm, presence and screen free time!

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

 I love how supporting local businesses is championing someone else’s dream, and keeping local areas interesting and unique! I made a real effort to shop local for Christmas this year - every time you spend is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in ✨🌎

You can join Sophie on her next Calligraphy workshop on Thursday 13th March - click HERE to find out more and book

Kids Half Term Workshops

This half term we're bringing you a special mini version of our ever popular Jesmonite Coaster Workshop

In this mini workshop you'll make one coaster / trinket tray using a choice of premade coloured shards and a white jesmonite base.

You'll leave your coaster to dry and should be able to collect it later that day, or pop into Chirpy anytime afterwards to collect it.

This workshop is suitable for age 7+ however anyone under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. If ther accompanying adult would also like to make a coaster then please book an additional ticket.

Jesmonite is an environmentally conscious, eco-friendly and safe lightweight product which is perfect for creating beautiful design.

This workshop will run 3 times on Thursday 31st October

Booking is essential - please arrive on time as this is a short workshop

£5 PP + BF

Tickets available here

Introducing our MINI MAKE series of Workshops for the Autumn

Introducing MINI MAKES - a series of shorter workshops at Chirpy this Autumn.

We know that people are feeling a little bit short of time & money so these workshops are aimed at letting your stay creative without breaking the bank!

Whether it’s a mini version of our ever popular Jesmonite Coaster workshop, or the NEW Woven Plant Pot Cover workshop, these 1 & 1/2 hour workshops are perfect to help you keep crafting and learning new skills.

All held upstairs in our great workshop space, they still promise to be the same relaxed, friendly and enjoyable workshops as before.

You’ll also still benefit for 10% off in Chirpy on the night of the workshop, perfect if you need to do a bit of birthday or Christmas shopping (or a treat for yourself). What’s more for each workshop you’ll still get a virtual stamp on your Chirpy Workshop Loyalty card - collect 8 stamps to get your 9th workshop for FREE!

So why not try on (or more) of our MINI MAKE workshops this Autumn, we know you won’t be disappointed!

Mini Embroidery Hoop Woven Hanging

Woven Plant Pot Cover

Wooden Stitched Bookmark

Jesmonite Coaster Workshop - 2 dates

Thursday 6th October / Thursday 10th November

Rainbow Weaving for Kids

Christmas Collage Night

Needle Felted Decorations

Christmas Workshops! Just the weather for it!

We’re excited to launch our Christmas workshops - even during the hottest week of the year!

Join Agnis Smallwood for her ever popular Christmas Fabric Wreath Workshop £35pp

25th November 6:30pm - 9pm

8th December 6:30pm - 9pm

NEW! Join Sophie from Ink & Bear for her

Christmas Card Collage Workshop £22pp

23rd November 7pm - 9pm

Chirpy Workshops on Tour!

Are you a business looking to run a team building event?

Are you looking to reward your staff with a bit of downtime in a creative environment?

Did you know that we can offer private workshops at your premises?

In May 2022 we ran Jesmonite Coaster Workshops as part of Leeds College of Building Staff Wellbeing day - running 6 one hour sessions, each for 20 people, so 120 in total throughout the day.

Each person made their own unique Jesmonite coaster which they took away with them at the end of the session.

So if you’re looking for something a little bit different for your team, businesss or organisation then just get in touch here to. discuss

Focus On ... Sophie Greenwood of Ink & Bear

The smile behind the brand

As we launch our first workshop with Ink & Bear, here’s a little interview I did with her a few months ago …

Why not join Sophie’s Intro to Lino Printing workshop on Sunday 18th September - click here to find out more and book

This month we’re focusing on another local maker, Sophie, of Ink & Bear, a local screen printer whose gorgeous plant storage bags are proving popular in Chirpy

Here’s a little interview we did with Sophie.

CH: Tell me a little bit about yourself / your company

Sophie: I'm Sophie from Ink & Bear and I'm a screenprinter from Leeds. I'm from Hull originally and moved over to Leeds to go to University 16 years ago and I have never looked back! I design and print screenprints, t-shirts and fabric goods inspired by nature, travelling and the sky at night. I've always printed on paper but recently I have started to print on fabric too (which I love!). I screenprint in my studio at home (aka the spare bedroom!) and love the freedom this gives me to try out new things. 

I set up my company, Ink & Bear, 3 years ago and in the last year I've really enjoyed being able to invest more time in the business (one of tiny silver linings of the pandemic!).

CH: How did the business start?

Sophie: I dipped by toe in the printmaking waters whilst at University studying an optional module. I studied Business at University but have always had a love for art - the printmaking module was the only practical art course on offer at the time for 'non-art' students so I jumped at the chance! I later developed my love for screen printing specifically through night classes at Leeds College of Art. 

Three years ago I realised I had way too many prints piling up so set up a small business, initially just selling at local craft fairs. I discovered I absolutely love the buzz of selling online and in person and the rest is history!

 I love being open and sharing tips about the screen printing process because whilst it does take a while to set up, I really feel like anyone can do it. I still find the process magical all these years later. Before the pandemic hit I was planning creative workshops and retreats around printmaking and creativity and it's something I would really like to pick up again when everything feels more normal!  

CH: What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

Sophie: I work for a social enterprise 4 days a week, so I squeeze all my Ink & Bear work in on a Monday (and often on weekends too!). Each Monday starts with tackling some admin to help wake me up (I'm not really a morning person!), followed by a trip to the post office and lunch. In the afternoon I tend to focus on creative work; this could be printing a new batch of fabrics to send off to my Mum (who I collaborate with on my plant bags and pouches), designing new work, exposing new screens or screen printing a new batch of prints or cards. The afternoon is my favourite part of my day as I get to try out new ideas (well, apart from all the cleaning up afterwards!). 

CH: What’s been your biggest achievement to date?

Sophie : Alongside screen printing, I also run a bi-annual event called Super Seconds Saturday - developing and running this during lockdown has definitely been my biggest achievement to date! Super Seconds Saturday is an online event that offers people an opportunity to buy discounted goods from 250 independent makers. A lot of indie makers have seconds/misprints/end of line stock that just didn't go quite right (or is from a few years back!) - and normally a lot of these are sold off at fairs at bargain prices but with few (or no!) fairs due to Coronavirus it means that these bargains aren't on offer. I was so happy with how the creative community of makers came together to support this event and I can't wait for the next one in October!

 CH: What’s been the favourite thing you’ve designed?

I have only recently (in the last year) started printing onto fabric and I'm really enjoying the process. My Mum is an incredible seamstress so I was really happy when we cooked up the idea of working together on fabric goods (like plant bags and pouches). I love seeing the fabric I've printed by hand turned into fabric goods by my Mum- it still feels magical seeing them fully made, packaged and ready for sale.

CH : What’s the best thing about running your own business?

Sophie: I love the freedom to try out new ideas and interact with customers and other creative businesses online too. Everyone is super supportive and it's so lovely to meet like minded people. 

 CH: What advice would you give to anyone looking to set up their own business?

Sophie: Just go for it! Sometimes setting up your own creative business can feel really daunting, but building a creative community around you (either online or in real life!) can make a huge difference to your confidence. I spent years telling myself I didn't have the time to set up a business and there never seemed to be a 'right time' so I just started small and ran Ink & Bear alongside my full time job for the first couple of years. After I'd built it up a bit I took the leap to go down to 4 days a week in my full time job and now I'm hoping to turn it into my full time career! Small steps can make a HUGE difference and getting started is the best thing you can do. 

 CH: Is there an activity you haven’t tried but would like to?

Sophie: I would really like to try working with glass! I love watching glass blowers (Blown Away on Netflix was fascinating to watch!) and would love to try it one day. I also have a real soft spot for ceramics and would like to learn to throw on a wheel.

 CH: Why should people shop / support local?

Sophie: think it's so important to support small local shops and makers - as a buyer you can buy really unique, high quality items that you can't get elsewhere and you're also supporting makers, for who the sale makes a huge difference to. I think shops like Chirpy are so important to introduce people to a wide range of makers - and the shopping experience in an independent shop is unrivalled for creativity and inspiration. 

 Thanks Sophie for such detailed answers - it’s great to get advice from a local maker mixing 9-5 with being creative.

LOVE CA LOCAL - follow the trail

Valentine’s is coming!

We’re delighted to be part of the CA space Love Local trail with lots of the other Chapel Allerton businesses.

Look out for the coloured hearts displayed in our windows, unscramble the letters and complete the sentence to be in with a chance over winning over £100 worth of vouchers for the local shops

Just follow the link to find out more and who’s involved.

https://www.caspaces.org/lovecalocal

Introducing MINI MAKES with Agnis Smallwood

We’re delighted to launch the NEW MINI MAKE series of workshops with Agnis Smallwood, to help you get creative over lunchtime

These workshops are open to everyone, perhaps you’re working from home and would welcome a break between meetings, or you fancy the opportunity to natter with others while you craft. Whatever the reason, we hope you can join us virtually or one or more of these Zoom workshops.

How it will work:

-    Each week there will be a different workshop, make sure you have booked onto the workshop by the previous Thursday so there is time for the kits to be posted and arrive with you (for the workshop on 21st January, you would need to have booked your place by 14th January).

-    Each workshop is just 1 hour long so that hopefully they will fit into your lunchtime.

-    It is going to run for at least 4 weeks, you can join us for 1 or all of them it is entirely up to you!

-    You will receive the workshop kit of materials in the post and then the zoom link via the email you booked onto the workshop with so that you can learn how to use your materials just like if you were attending a class in person.

-    All the materials you will need will be in the kit apart from some equipment that can be found within the home for example scissors or a pencil.

-    The workshops will be very flexible, and I will be repeating the steps and top tips throughout the session. We know that everything is quite tricky at the moment! So if you arrive 10 minutes late or need to leave a bit early or each lunch at the same time it is all ok!

21st Jan : Mini Woven Wall Art

28th Jan : Rag Rug Flower Brooch

4th Feb : Coasters

11th Feb : Needle Felted Heart Decorations