CARA discount ONLINE!

Do you use your CARA Card when you shop at Chirpy to get 10% off?

Well from now on you can also use it ONLINE to get the same great discount!

To start claiming your discount then just pop into Chirpy with your card and we’ll register it so you can get your 10% off online too.

Or drop us any email here with your card number and expiry date and we’ll do the rest.

Head here to find out more about CARA and what they offer to the residents of Chapel Allerton

Introducing... Black Violet!

We’re delighted to welcome Rebecca Lori of Black Violet as our first MAKER IN RESIDENCE in April.

Rebecca will be joining us on Friday 28th & Saturday 29th April upstairs in Chirpy with her eclectic selection of ceramics, terrariums and jewellery.

Here’s a little interview we did with Rebecca to find out a little more about her and how. We’ll also be chatting to her LIVE on INSTAGRAM on Thursday 27th April at 7:30pm before she pops up in Chirpy.

Rebecca will also be running her Concrete Jewellery Workshop on Friday 28th April - tickets available HERE Booking essential

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Hi – my name is Rebecca and I am the owner of Black Violet. If you’re not familiar with my work I make concrete and moss homeware and jewellery inspired by abandoned beauty, magical forests and goddess energy! Nature always inspires me and I am kind of obsessed with the idea of nature taking over manmade structures. I like to create a sense of fantasy and magic through my terrariums and classic statues.

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

I have a creative background and have studied fashion and photography. I’ve always been into art and everyone that knows me will say that I am a bit of a dreamer! I am a huge fan of concrete structures and brutalist architecture and one day I realised I could use this material to make jewellery and planters and it kind of evolved from there. My dream as a child was to own a shop and sell things that I make – so I guess it just happened naturally.

 What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

I don’t really have a normal day! Everyday looks different, but if I am preparing for a market or making stock for a shop I will set up a creative space in my flat, put on some inspiring music and get lost in making. Sometimes this might be a messy concrete pour, playing with pigments and moss and other times it might be more intensely focused work making terrariums or necklaces. I also have to make sure I keep my Instagram updated so people can see what I’ve made.

Biggest achievement to date?

 That’s a difficult one! I think my biggest and most proudest moment was being the first person in my family to get a degree – a 2:1 in Photographic Arts, I was over the moon! Then I guess it’s been following my own unconventional path to build my own business.

Favourite things you’ve designed  / made?

 My terrariums! Each piece is unique and like little magical worlds. I recently made a massive piece for an alternative wedding show which I absolutely love too.

 Best thing about running your own business?

 I get to choose my own hours, don’t have to answer to anyone and get to do what I absolutely love!

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

Have patience, it’s really hard! But stick with it, if you have confidence in what you do then you’re likely to make it. Don’t do it my way and quit your job without any savings! Start doing it along with your job and see how it goes. I am a risk taker so had to go all in but I definitely don’t advise that approach though it did work for me and took my business to a totally different level. Think of the whole package and get help if you need to – there’s loads of great free resources out there for indie businesses on marketing, packaging, advertising etc

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

So many! I recently practised using a tattoo gun and was pretty hooked! I would also love to make candles for my business, I bought all the materials but as usual I’ve not found time to do it! There’s loads more but too many to list!

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

 Wouldn’t the world be a boring place if we all bought cheaply made mass-produced products? We need to support the arts and crafts as it’s what makes life so beautiful, people expressing themselves creatively and owning art that’s so personal and emotive. Even small purchases make a difference to supporting indie businesses – you are enabling an artist or maker to do what they love and keeping the creative process going. And it’s so much better to buy handmade!

Check out Rebecca’s Instagram HERE

FIVER FEST IS BACK!

Image : Sarah Thornton Art

From 11th - 25th March we’re delighted to be taking part again in FIVER FEST.

So what’s it all about?

The campaign, started locally in West Yorkshire, aims to encourage people to shop locally and support their high streets.

Did you know that if every adult spent just £5 a week with their local businesses that would bring £4.6 MILLION into Chapel Allerton!

So how does it work?

The year 10 local small indie businesses are taking part and they'll each be bringing you great £5 deals. From coffees and cake, to gift, toys and clothing, it’s a chance for you to pick up a great deal and support your local businesses.

So why not pop into one of the participating businessses from 11th - 25th March and shop you high street?

Other participating businesses are:

Armadillo Toys, Rebel and Rose, Katie & May, The Perfumed Garden, House of Koko, George & Joseph, Hopscotch Shoes, The Little Bookshop, Wayward Wines

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