Where are you from and tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a fashion designer & fine arts graduate, situated in the very heart of London.
Why did you start your Etsy shop?
The Wingless Bird’s boutique is still very new, it started off as a little project in the break of the new year, January 2010. I had been a long term fosterer for small, no-kill animal shelters. In Fall 2009 I took in a litter of kittens & their mum. I fell in love, adopted my little family & then it suddenly occurred to me how impossible this would make it to further help sheltered animals. I just start using my creative side to make things for the shelter; blankets, toys… & raise money for donations.
The Wingless Bird is a charity boutique.
What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
At the moment, it has to be my pretty little catnip mice. It was my very first idea & I really enjoy making them!
How did you come up with your Etsy shop name?
”The Wingless Bird”
came from an early 20th century novel. A love story. I have always had a thing for the 1900s.
Where do you get your inspiration for your pieces?
I am constantly being inspired by everything around me. From colors & textures to music & movies…
The Wingless Bird has a very vintage & romantic feel, sophisticated with elements of cute & querky. A couple of artists that inspire me are fashion designers Anna Sui & Alexander McQueen. Arthur Rackhum, Beatrix Potter. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec & photography by Eugene Atget, Brassai & Tim Walker.
Apart from creating beautiful pieces, what else do you do?
Working on my boutique is currently taking over my life right now! If I’m not creating, then I’m designing, if I’m not designing, I’m creating, if I’m not creating, I’m taking photographs. I adore my kittens & love to spend my time with them. Shopping & discovering beautiful vintage findings is one of my hobbies!
Any advice on selling things handmade?
I am still very new to this but I have to say: you must be passionate about what you are doing.
Quality & appearance is determined by how much you put into each item. Another this is: promote, promote, promote!
Why should people buy homemade?
Receiving something handmade is just so special – to think about the time & thought & love that has been put into every indivual item. No two items are the same. They all have their own querky differences yet, you can be sure they are going to be the best of quality, if enough care is put into it!
Any works in progress?
Yes! I am preparing for the launch of ‘The Wingless Beauty’ – I am very excited about that! This will launch in Fall/Winter.
Any other sites you can be found on?
For more information, updates & special offers, you can follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/TheWinglessbird & please do get intouch – I would love to hear from you.
Photography & sneak peek findings can be found here on my Deviant page http://thewinglessbird.deviantart.com/
& The Wingless Gives
http://thewinglessgives.ning.com/
An organization of charities & people who support & promote the wellbeing of animals. A place to discover wonderful ETSY shops you can donate to.
**Please take a moment to visit The Wingless Bird. If you comeback here and leave a comment with your favorite item you can have a total of five extra entries to leave on any or a combination of my current giveaways. You MUST leave the comments for the extra entries on the giveaways you would like to be entered into. This offer ends on 9/20 at midnight.
4 COMMENTS
MoonRae
13 years agoFirst I love that this is a charity based shop.My fav piece is the vintage compact.
I do have a question….did you mean this offer ends 10/20?? Seeing how today is 9/23 and it says the offer ends 9/20….may I borrow your time machine??? heeheehee
love your blog,thanks for all the cool info and giveaways
~Sharon~
lunrei@yahoo.com
paulasue
14 years agoI love the unique items! Thanks
jhitomi
14 years agothe http://www.etsy.com/listing/54993246/pearl-drop-deco-earings
earrings are really pretty. Actually I was going to choose the tapestry compact till I saw the first person named it too!
jhbalvin at gmail dot com
MoonRae
14 years agoFirst I love that this is a charity based shop.My fav piece is the vintage compact.
I do have a question….did you mean this offer ends 10/20?? Seeing how today is 9/23 and it says the offer ends 9/20….may I borrow your time machine??? heeheehee
love your blog,thanks for all the cool info and giveaways
~Sharon~
lunrei@yahoo.com