Fancy a bit of Late Night Shopping?

Image : Sarah Thornton Art

After the success of our last Late Night Shopping Event we’re hosting another one.

Join us on Friday 24th February for a night of DOUBLE POINTS, Discounts, a glass or 2 of fizz & a Chirpy goodie bag.

It’s a great chance to come along with friends for a bit of a shop and catch up or head along on your own for a bit of retail therapy.

Tickets are £10 which are redeemable against your Chirpy purchases on the night.

Grab your ticket here

See you then!

Jo x

Welcome to the Chirpy Wedding List!

Image : Sarah Thornton Art

Just launched!

The Chirpy Wedding List Service.

If you’re getting married this year or in the near future then why not have your Wedding Present List with Chirpy.

We’ll create & manage a list for you which you can send out to your guests. They can buy their gifts online or in store and we’ll wrap them fro FREE. We’ll even send them out to you.

What’s more, you’ll be gifted with all of the Loyalty Points from the gifts too!

If you’d like to find out more, or start setting up your list then get in touch HERE or pop into Chirpy

Introducing... Lizzie Fry Creative

We’re delighted to welcome Lizzie Fry Creative as our first MAKER IN RESIDENCE

Lizzie will be joining us on Friday 24th & Saturday 25th February upstairs in Chirpy with her gorgeous selection of prints, cards and ceramics.

You might recognise Lizzie as she works in Chirpy on a Thursday morning. Here’s a little interview we did with her to find out a little more about her and how. We’ll also be chatting to her LIVE on INSTAGRAM on Thursday 23rd February at 7:30pm before she pops up in Chirpy.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Hello! I’m Lizzie Fry, and I’m a freelance artist based in Leeds. At the moment I’m primarily producing ceramics and lino prints, with the occasional bit of digital design too. I’ve lived in Leeds for around 10 years so definitely consider myself a local now, although having grown up down south I may not sound like one!

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

Sometimes I wonder the same thing! I’ve always loved making things, and I’ve usually had a creative side-project on the go alongside ‘normal’ life; little by little my creative work has become the main thing I spend my time doing, and I love it.

What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

The studio where I make my ceramics opens at 1pm each day, so I usually try to fit my other work into the mornings where I can. This can involve anything from designing wedding invitations and printing my linocuts onto tote bags, to sending out invoices and contacting shops to ask if they’ll stock my work. It’s incredibly varied but I really love it.

Biggest achievement to date (personally or business wise)?

I grew up in awe of my grandfather, who was a potter and calligrapher; the precision and care in his work are truly beautiful to see. So I’d say it’s both a personal and a business achievement that I’m now making a living from my artwork, particularly the ceramics – I often think of my Grandad when I’m on the wheel – even though I’m sure he would have lots to critique! The icing on the cake for me was that last year I managed to track down his old pottery wheel from the 50s, which I now have. I’m in the process of creating my own studio space so that I can use it.

Favourite things you’ve designed  / made?

There have been a few mugs that I’ve got out of the kiln which I think are really perfect. It’s always a little bit sad saying goodbye to them when someone buys them. I also have a couple of favourite lino prints – like the botanical seeds design – which I’m really fond of; having spent so much time planning and carving out a design, it’s wonderful when you print it for the first time and it turns out exactly how you’d hoped.

 Best thing about running your own business?

Anyone who knows me will know that I’m not a routine-led person. In fact I recently told someone that the closest thing I have to a daily routine is that I usually sneeze a lot when I first wake up. So I feel very fortunate to be able to work for myself and structure my own working day according to how I feel – especially with art, if you try to force yourself to create something when you’re not in the right headspace it just doesn’t work.

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

Go for it! Back yourself even when you don’t feel like it, and take every opportunity you get. And make sure that you have good friends and family around who can tell you when you need to stop at the end of the day or week – otherwise you’ll never do anything else.

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

My problem is that I want to try everything! I’ve always wanted to have a go at letterpress printing; I love the whole process and the result.

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

There was a graphic floating around Instagram recently that said ‘when you buy from a small business, a real person does a happy dance’ – which is true, and every purchase really does make me so happy! But it’s more than that. When you buy from a small business owner, we also breathe a big sigh of relief. Now more than ever, we need you to support those of us who don’t have bigger structures to fall back on. If you love the idea of small businesses thriving, then please help us to keep going – and it doesn’t just have to be through financial help either. Sharing a small business on social media and recommending us to your friends goes a long way and doesn’t cost anything. We will be so grateful!

Check out Lizzie’s website at www.lizziefrycreative.com

LOVE CHIRPY x

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

Got a card from CHIRPY

How about You?

It’s that time of year - Valentine’s cards are in store and online along with some lovely gifts for all budgets.

Check out our Valentine’s section here

Christmas Opening Hours

It’s almost time to close for a Christmas rest but before that here’s our Festive Opening Hours this week.

Then we’ll be having a rest until 2nd January

Any online orders made between 25th December - 1st Janaury will be ready for Click and Collect or posted out from Tuesday 2nd January 2023

We're getting ready for Indie Week with @justacard 21st-25th Nov

Just a Card is such an important campaign which we whole heartedly support and so we cant wait to be part of INDIE WEEK from 21st - 25th November

Watch this space & our social media to see what we’ll be getting up to.

We’re saying NO to Black Friday - it really is something that small Independent businesses can’t afford to do, and embracing a week of fun and celebration of being an indie business.

The week ends on COLOUR FRIDAY, supported by Holly Tucker, a colourful way of celebrating all things indie

Join in, support us, #shoplocal buy #justacard

Your support means the world!

IT'S BACK!! WIN A YEAR'S SUPPLY OF CARDS WORTH £180!

For the 3rd year running, to celebrate our #chirpyversary we’re giving you the chance to win a Year’s worth of free cards worth £180!

That's 5 cards a month for a year!

All you need to do is buy a card bundle throughout November in store on online and you’ll be in with a chance of winning - it’s that simple!

Click here to buy a bundle

Join us for our 6th CHIRPVERSARY!

We’re having a PARTY!!

To celebrate our 6th CHIRPYVERSARY this year we’re having a party on the evening of Friday 4th November

Like any Chirpy party, there’ll be discounts & special offers, goodie bags and fizz!

This year there’ll also be DOUBLE LOYALTY POINTS - if you haven’t already signed up to our loyalty scheme we’ll sign you up on the night so you can start collecting your points straight away - collect 75 points to get £5 off in store.

To join the party you’ll need a ticket - they are £10 but you’ll get it taken off the cost of anything you spend on the evening. Grab your ticket HERE

What’s more, we’re delighted to welcome Sarah Thornton as she’ll be be drawing some mini originals for the party guests - all we ask is you donate to BREAST CANCER NOW so don’t forget to bring a bit of cash.

Tickets are limited so don’t delay! We can’t wait to celebrate with you

Jo & the Chirpy team!

Chirpy on Tour!

This year we’re taking Chirpy on Tour around Leeds!

Join us on Friday 16th September at Left Bank as part of the Welcome Festival - FREE entry but book tickets here

We’ll also be returning on Friday 18th November - watch this space for details

Leeds Winer Market, at New Dock Sunday 4th December - we’ll be there again so why not join us for what’s always a great event with hundreds of indie stalls

Christmas market at The Mustard Pot on Tuesday 6th December - we’ll be there with all out Chapel Allerton products and a selection of Chirpy goodies

Hope to see you there!

PRE ORDER AVAILABLE : Paper Cut Christmas Baubles

It’s the time again!!

Our Paper Cut Christmas Baubles of areas in North Leeds area always a sell out so this year we’re letting your PRE ORDER them!

This really helps us, and Bethanie who hand cuts ever one, to manage how many to make and make sure we have enough

Due to the rise in materials the bauble this year will be £9 however if you PRE ORDER before 1st September you can buy them at the original price of £7.50

Areas available to order:

Chapel Allerton

Meanwood

Roundhay

Headingley

Leeds

The baubles are light weight (so don’t pull your tree branches) and come in a presentation box so make fantastic presents.

Available to Click & Collect (when ready at approx end Oct) or we can post them to you or send on your behalf if they are gifts.

Don’t miss out this year!

Click here to ORDER