Have you visited us yet? You should!

We’re delighted to have made it onto the ‘Leeds List of Awesome Indie Stores you need to visit at least once’

https://leeds-list.com/culture/awesome-indie-stores-you-need-to-visit-at-least-once/

The list contains lots of great independent retailers in Leeds, including a couple of our neighbours ; The Little Bookshop, Armadillo.

Also included are several of our favourite indie shops including Colours May Vary in Leeds Corn Exchange, Tandem in Meanwood, Flavour Like Fancy in Headingley and Our Handmade Collective in Horsforth.

So why not pop into visit them soon (hopefully more than once!)

https://leeds-list.com/culture/awesome-indie-stores-you-need-to-visit-at-least-once/

Meet the Chirpy team ... Lizzie

Thought it was about time to introduce Team Chirpy, Lizzie,

You’ll usually see Lizzie in Chirpy on a Thursday morning and covering days when I’m on holiday.

We also stock Lizzie Lino prints cards and tote bags in Chirpy

So here’s a bit more about her …

I’m Lizzie and I work as a potter here in Leeds. I grew up down South but moved up to Leeds for university about 12 years ago and haven’t looked back.

Fave time of year & why
I love summer! Long evenings, al fresco dining, warm river swims… need I say more?!

Fave chirpy product
I love the pocket flower presses that we sell. They’re so cute, and a lovely thing to pop in your bag when you go for a walk and come home with a memory of your day out.

Thing you like about working in chirpy / chirpy customers
I love it when people discover the shop and are so clearly thrilled with what we have. I met a lovely customer yesterday who said how much of a joy it was to find us, as she loved everything we had and felt so welcome in the shop. Those sorts of interactions with people are such a highlight!

Unusual fact about yourself
I studied Ecology at uni, which comes as a surprise to most people!

Why not give Lizzie a follow at Lizzie Fry Ceramics

The highs and heights of July ...

The theme of this month has been about putting one foot in front of the other, quite literally. It’s taken me to heights & distances I never expected, have ticked 2 amazing walks off my bucket list (that I’m not sure I even realised were on it!) The Yorkshire 3 Peaks was epic - I needed to know I had 24 miles in 12 hours in my kegs in preparation for my marathon Coppafeel trek in September & the good news is I do!

So while on holiday in Wales this week it seemed obvious to climb Snowdon. What a fabulous day - perhaps a little bit too warm but a wonderful 4 hours with the best views I’ve ever seen. Just managed to avoid a big cloud when we reached the top. I can categorically say I’m super proud of myself (& Sally & Iain) for getting those walls done & dusted. Ben Nevis next?!!?! 

We started July being a finalist at The RETAs, the Oscar’s of the card industry. Even though we didn’t take away the prize it was a wonderful event & to be part of such an amazing group of other independent retailers is an honour. We pride ourselves on the wonderful cards we stock and our customers  are frequently complimenting us on the range we gave so we’re winners in their eyes. 

Working a little bit on the business rather than just in it, this month I attended a great Branding event workshop with Buttercrumble hosted by neighbouring local independent shop  the Little Book shop. Behind the scenes I’ve also been crunching numbers thanks the The Resilient Retail Club & looking at our Christmas planning. Christmas in July definitely seems to be a thing! But in all seriousness, having also attended Harrogate Home & Gift Tradeshow this month it’s never to early to start looking forward to make sure we have everything right for the busiest time of year. 

Our July Jesmonite workshop was a sell out & we were delighted to be able to help a customer out & host her daughter’s birthday workshop. Thinks have been busy on the corporate workshop front too with 2 Jesmonite workshops in the diary for the autumn. I love doing private workshops so if you’re looking for a team event, meeting or get together then just get in touch for a chat

So as July has come to an end what does August have in store?

I’m planning on keeping my feet on terra firma -  no big walks planned. It’s usually a quieter time in the shop so a great time to sort, renew, take stock. The Chirpy team are getting together next week to celebrate the year we’ve had - I couldn’t do it without them, they’ve been holding the fort while I’ve been clocking up the miles! 

And finally as a little treat for all our Chirpy customers in August to help you do your gift shopping wherever you may be, by a pool, up a mountain, on a houseboat or in a tent, here’s some discount codes for you …

AUGUST10 to get 10% OFF when you spend £25 or more

AUGUST15 to get 15% OFF when you spend £50 or more

AUGUST20 to get 20% OFF when you spend £80 or more

Happy Summer!

Jo x

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

It was a long time coming but we finally saw some sun ...

So here we are, half way through the year, 6 months until Christmas (there I’ve mentioned it!) and it’s t-shirt weather at last! So we’re looking back at the last 3 months in Chirpy …

April wasn’t the best month for sales but there was lots going on to keep us Chirpy! It was time to stocktake (literally), come out of hibernation and kick off Spring, even if the weather didn’t get that memo.

It’s was great to be part of #myshoplife24, celebrating with independent businesses around the country through social media. I’ve been involved in this for the last 7 years and it really feels like being part of an indie family, supporting each other especially when times are tough. Loved seeing all the posts, reels and stories and being inspired by what other indie shops are doing. Lucia also joined us for her work experience and it’s always lovely to have a fresh pair of eyes in the shop, especially young ones! You may have also heard me on Radio 2 this month chatting about shopping trollies! You’ll often see me around Chapel Allerton, mine filled with shopping form the local shops or parcels on the way to the post office.

In May we were delighted to find out we were a finalist for a RETA Award - the Oscars for Card Retailers. Watch this space on 4th July - it’s not just the election which will be decided! As we’re not a bank we decided to stay open for the Bank Holidays and glad we did. Thanks to everyone who shopped with us and made it worth our while being open. May was a busy month with workshops, with over 40 people joining us to paint, knit and get crafty with Jesmonite and Fused Glass (not all at once!) On the look out to expand our stationery range, this month I visited the Stationery Show in London, as part of National Stationery Week, which saw me make my own fountain pen, get lots of great samples and have some decisions to make on what products we’ll be bringing to Chirpy later in the year.

June, another month and another trade show. Visiting PG Live is now one of my favourite days of the year, as cards play such an important part of Chirpy. We had a Sunshine Ticket to spend for our RETA nomination, which we were delighted to spend with Lucky Ink, a new supplier to Chirpy and we’re sure you’ll love her gorgeous modern colourful cards as much as we do. Another month, another radio appearance, this time on Radio 4 chatting about the benefits of shopping local. We really rely on our loyal local customers so it’s a subject very close to my heart.

Summer really did arrive with our Summer Energy Boost workshop with Sarah Brown, where we all took away lots of great tips on how to feel healthier and more energised for the year ahead - still no coffee for me!

After the stresses of A levels in our house, I finally got to relax(!) on a little on a trip to Paris with my daughter. I really noticed the increase in more small independent shops which I’ve never really noticed in France before - like the UK there’s a lot of lovely indie makers which is great to see.

So as we head into the summer months traditionally the quietest season for us, we’re starting to plan ahead for Christmas (there I mentioned it again!). As schools finish and people head off on holidays, please don’t forget your independent shops and local hight streets when you’re looking for gifts for summer birthdays, weddings and teacher presents. Why not spend that class collection money in Chirpy to thank us for the support we’ve given your school Summer Fairs?

Here’s to a summer of sun, washing on the line and eating al fresco.

Until the autumn…

Jo & the Chirpy team x

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

Want to win as part of National Stationery Week?

Next week, from Monday 13th May, we’re celebrating National Stationery Week and you can join in too!

One of our wonderful suppliers, Ohh Deer, has joined is one of the sponsors for the week and is offering you a chance to win £166 worth of stationery!

What’s more, when you enter by scanning the QR code, we’ll also be in with a chance of wining too!

So what have you ( and us!) got to lose?

Just scan the code you’ll find in store all next week

Good Luck!