Celebrating PRIDE at Chirpy!

To celebrate PRIDE throughout June we’ve picked some gorgeous colourful rainbow things - perfect for gifts or treat for yourself!

Head to our PRIDE section on the website here to spread a bit of rainbow love!

Focus On ... Rachel White of Seb and Roo

The smile behind the brand

This month we’re focusing on another local maker, Rachel of Seb and Roo, a teething jewellery brand which is already proving popular in Chirpy

Here’s a little interview we did with Rachel.

CH: Tell me a little bit about yourself

Rachel: I’m Rachel, the owner of Seb and Roo, a independent children’s brand, specialising in baby goods. I’m a mum of two boys, Sebastian and Rupert (hence the name!), and live with my Kiwi husband in Yorkshire. I run the business around flexi-schooling the boys, and when I have time, I love to play tennis as an escape from our busy lives. 

 CH: How did the business start?

Rachel : Prior to having children, I led a very different life, working in marketing for global companies and living in London and more recently Sydney. We settled in Yorkshire when I was pregnant to be closer to family, and it soon became apparent that our priorities had shifted drastically. I wanted a job that could fit around family, not the other way around, and I had always wanted to run my own business. 

 When Seb was born, I came across teething necklaces. I loved the concept and functionality of them but not the styles, so when my youngest was born I decided to design my own. And so in 2016 Seb & Roo was born. We’ve since grown our product range into baby toys, gifts and accessories, but teething jewellery and baby teethers continue to be our best selling items.

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

Rachel: After the rush of the school run, I’ll come home and work through my emails and customer messages (with coffee in hand of course) and reply to anything urgent, before printing off the days’ orders and getting started on making them. I might have to put in some orders with suppliers or make up a large wholesale order, and if I get chance I like to play around with and sketch new design ideas and scour the internet for new product ranges. 

As a one woman business, I look after everything - from design, supplier management, finance, fulfilment and shipping, marketing etc as well as the physical making of some of the products, so each day can be quite different depending on what takes priority that day. I’ll have the days’ orders ready to ship by mid afternoon and then go and pick up the kids from school. I love being able to do this but it does mean that I will often work in the evenings and weekends to catch up.  

 CH: What’s been your biggest achievement to date? (feel free to mention something work related and  / or personal)

Rachel: It has to be having my two boys and parenting them in the most mindful way I can. It’s definitely my most important job! Professionally, it’s a toss up between getting my first sale on Etsy (I now have multiple Etsy Bestsellers!) and launching my website a couple of years later. 

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

Rachel: I’m really proud of the Panda teether that I designed. It started with a hand drawing, then a 3D drawing, then a mould and finally a physical product in a beautiful custom box that I also designed. It’s a real favourite with younger babies, as the black and white is visually stimulating, and I love that it started our as a rough sketch on a scrap of paper!

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

Rachel: I love the flexibility of running my own business around my family and also being wholly responsible for its successes and failures. The reward is far greater when you’re working for yourself.   

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

Rachel: Have a really clear idea of your brand and your customers. Try to come up with a unique selling proposition, which is hard in saturated markets, but really think about what you can do different and better than your competitors. One of the biggest pitfalls I think for hobby makers trying to grow is that they underprice their products / services, which means their business won’t be sustainable in the long run. 

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

Rachel: I really fancy learning calligraphy. It looks so beautiful and is a real art form, so it’s definitely on my to do list!

 CH: Why should people shop local?

Rachel: Oh gosh, there’s so many reasons! If we don’t support our local businesses, we will lose them, and with it a piece of our community. When you shop local, you’re making a great choice for the environment, as well as making a real difference to the individuals and families that own them - you’re supporting real people’s livelihoods, not multinational corporations. You can also find some great quality and unusual items that you might not find elsewhere as well as fabulous, personal service

 Thanks Rachel for letting us get to know you!

Check out the range of Rachel’s teething products we have in store and at Chirpy online

FIVER FEST Chapel Allerton 12th - 26th JUNE

We’re delighted that Chapel Allerton is taking part in this year’s FIVER FEST from 12th - 26th June

This national campaign, now in its 5th year, is a great way to help you support your local shops and community to reward you when you #shoplocal

During the 2 weeks there’ll be lots of indie shops joining in with great offer in store and online

Already announced:

Chirpy

Rebel & Rose

Armadillo Toys

The Refilling Station

The Sweet Quarter

George & Joseph

Why not give them all a follow on Instagram?

To find out more as we other businesses join in then click here

Here's to all the Dads!

Don’t forget Father’s Day on Sunday June 20th

We’ve got lots of lovely gifts online, perfect for all budgets and a great choice of cards for dads, stepdads, grandads or other important men in your life.

We can even send your cards for you - order online by Sunday 13th June and we’ll send 1st class with your message for FREE (choose Click & Collect then add a note with with your message and ask us to send it)

A year of Chirpy Online - fancy a treat?

I can’t quite believe that it’s been a year since we received our first online order.

It’s true to say that Chirpy online saved the business over the last 12 months so a huge THANK YOU to all our customers who shopped online and supported us during that time.

So here’s a little TREAT to celebrate - valid throughout May…

Use the code

WEBTREAT5 to get £5 off orders over £30

WEBTREAT10 to get £10 off orders over £50

WEBTREAT15 to get £15 off orders over £75

Focus On ... Katie Bentley Ceramics

The smiley face behind the brand

This month we’re focusing on another local maker, Katie Bentley Ceramics, whose beautiful hadn't crafted products have just landed in Chirpy

Here’s a little interview we did with Katie.

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

Katie: I’m Katie, the founder of Katie Bentley Ceramics. We are based in Leeds. All our products are designed and handcrafted in our little Yorkshire studio. Our aim is to create stunning ceramic homeware for beautiful interiors. 

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

Katie : Our days are crazy and always busy! 

Running a small independent business is like doing 10 peoples jobs all in the same day! 

I have a fabulous studio assistant Cerys who joined us in June 2020. Between us we are the designers, makers, casters, glazers, packers, social media managers & cleaners. We order materials for making & packing, stock take and organise the orders coming in and going out. 

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

Katie : I would say my biggest achievements would definitely be creating products that people love! Building up a fabulous selection of independent stockists who are excited to order all the new products we create. But also getting the business to a point where it’s not only a secure income for myself but now to be at a point where it’s also someone else’s full time job too is an amazing feeling. 

CH: Why should people shop / support local?

Katie: Shopping small & local is so important! Your not only massively supporting your local economy & high street but you are supporting someone’s real life dreams & their families too!! Thanks to Amy for her honest answers which really capture her wonderful cheery personality .

Check out the range of Katie’s ceramics we have in store and at Chirpy online

Focus On ... Amy from Its Balderston

The smiley face behind the brand

As we’ve reopened our doors, with lots of lovely new stock, we thought we’d take the opportunity to introduce you to some of our local suppliers, based in Yorkshire.

Here’s a little interview we did with Amy from Its Balderston, a quirky homewares brand we love stocking in Chirpy.

CH : Tell me a little bit about yourself
Amy: I am Amy, an Illustrator and homeware designer based up on a hill in Otley, Yorkshire and I create all things ItsBalderston, hand drawn chronic illustrations that derive joy and mirth from the every day.

Current Collections include The Furious Vegetable Army, Hostile Houseplants, Coffee Pals, Positively Naughty Dogs, Garden Birds and Jolly Leaf Pals.

CH: How did you get into doing what you are doing?
Amy: It all started with an absolutely furious Big Tommy Tomato. Created after a particularly theatrical performance by my husband- with a beef tomato deigned for homemade burgers-Big Tommy was the original inspiration behind my first collection - the Furious Vegetable Army. (And explains why he remains front and centre despite factually being a fruit.) The rest of the characters came along as a way to continue making my main pal smile. A few friends requested the design on a tea towel on the lead up to Christmas that year, and it all gathered momentum from there.

CH : What does a ‘normal’ day look like?
Amy : Life is a little loose and wild right now with a 3 month old in tow. But prior to this invasion... a strong stint working at the mighty Cafe 164 has permanently endeared me to early starts and delicious coffee. So that is where we begin. Packing orders, checking stock, before heading to Otley Maker Space in town where I fire up the laser. I typically work on new designs and admin while the etching takes place. Post office, then home - on a super dream day - a trip to North Bar Social with pals to finish.

CH: What’s been your biggest achievement to date?
Amy: Taking a leap and moving to become completely freelance in October 2019. While retrospectively a bit of a clanger timing wise (pandemic, pregnancy, lockdown the following spring...) it firmly cemented these dreams of mine and pushed me to finally take myself a little more seriously.

CH : What’s been the favourite thing you’ve made?
Amy: This has to be my laser etched boards and spoons. The sheer joy I feel when I see those furious little faces slowly appear across my products is like nothing else. The magnificent team at Duke Studios first introduced me to their motherfrickinlaser while I worked as their Community Manager - it’s an amazing space full of creative industries, inspiration and pals.

CH : What’s the best thing about running your own business?
Amy: While the freedom to create, to explore and make obviously has glorious perks, for me it has to be the communities and people I have met across the years. From the very best of maker pals, to wonderful stockists- I feel incredibly lucky with the company I get to keep, and the support, friendship and kindness they bring.

CH : What advice would you give to anyone looking to turn their hobby into a business / set up their own business?
Amy : In the brilliant words of Laura Wellington- Just (f***ing) do it. Those words thrown at me while serving her a coffee at 164, pushed me to finally invest in my first print run. There are always a hundred reasons to stall or stop, I think I needed to stop blowing it out of proportion. It doesn’t have to happen all at once, small steps can always become big. I’m a glutton for structure, community, and small steps. So working various roles alongside this business in wonderful teams and places while gently investing/growing was the way for me.

CH: Is there a craft you haven’t tried but would like to?
Amy : Pottery! I’m a huge fan of Rebecca over at Sunken Studios since helping out at a Hey Clay! event a few years ago. I suspect I will not rest until I have had a spin on a potting wheel or attempted the recreate some of my favourite characters in clay. I would love to see furious vegetable lamps in my future...

CH: Why should people shop / support local?
Amy: Because you are unquestionably brightening the the lives and souls of people who make, create and run these businesses. Each share, interaction or purchase will be putting a smile on someone’s face - keeping their hard work and dreams a reality. This Sunshine is absolutely something we all need after the year we have had.

Thanks to Amy for her honest answers which really capture her wonderful cheery personality .

REOPENING MONDAY 12th APRIL!

After 13 months of turmoil, we’re delighted to announce that we’ll be reopening on MONDAY 12th APRIL!

We really can’t wait to welcome our customer back into Chirpy - it’s been too long!

But don’t worry if you can’t make it to Chirpy, if you don’t live locally. Our online shop is still going strong with free postage over £35. We’ve gained lots of new customers over the last year from all around the UK (and beyond) and we love sending out our Chirpy gifts and treats.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

See you next week!

Jo x

NEW! Mother's Day Bundles

Win all of these goodies!

Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift for the special lady in your life?

We've put together some great bundles for all budgets, to make it easy for you.

They’ll come gift wrapped and and both you and the recipient will receive a Chirpy discount voucher to spend online.

We can send or deliver on your behalf with a note from you, or add a Mother’s day card

Just head to the MOTHER’S DAY section on the website

Don’t delay, order by Sunday 7th March if you’d like us to send it for you

Mother's Day GIVEAWAY!

Win all of these goodies!

Did you realise that so many of the independent retailers in Chapel Allerton are run by mums?

Mums are also our best customers, usually being in charge of gift & card buying and occasionally buying treats for themselves!

So we’ve joined together to offer an amazing GIVEAWAY worth over £150 from these businesses run my mums ..

Chirpy

The Little Bookshop

Katie & May

Rebel & Rose

The Refilling Station

Chapel Allerton Pilates

Sunshine Bakery

To win this prize for you mum or a special lady who you thinks deserves it, then all you need to do is the following…

Like our Instagram post here - lust look for the post from Sunday 21st Feb with the same photo

Comment telling us who you’d like to win the prize & why - tag them if they are on IG but don’t worry if they are not as we’ll contact you if they win to get their details. Also don’t worry if they are not local as we’ll send the prize to them.

Make sure you are following all of the 7 participating businesses to be in with a change of winning.

A winner will be picked at random on Sunday 7th March

Good luck!