embroidery hoop paper airplane wall art (by Montclair Made)
Very cute!
View maps and find local businesses on the web.
My two main loves in life (aside from my Rob, friends, family and rabbit that is) are crafts and travel. In the past I’ve been able to combine these, but I haven’t had funds for the last few years to do this. So, if I can’t travel right now, I can at least plan! Some of you may know I’ve started making a map of crafty places I’ve visited and blogged about over the world, now I want to hear about your favourite craft/art/DIY places, wherever you are or wherever you’ve visited! I’ll add it to my map and when I have funds again, I will visit!
I recently got a pet rabbit recently, and he’s adorable and stuff, so I’ve got a bit obsessed with rabbit accessories and things, and these are my favourites.
First necklace is a commission from Katie May Designs, a fantastic laser cut designer. Laser cutting is everywhere now, and her stuff still manages to be fresh, and geometrically amazingly hip. She made another rabbit with flowers on, but I thought it’d look gorgeous with maps, so this is one she made for me with a map of Hope Cove in Devon, where I spent much of my childhood.
The drawing is by Kate Webber Illustrations. Kate does amazing one of drawings with so much detail, it’s really incredible.
The other necklace is by Gallons of Ink, I also have a tote bag with rabbits by her. She does lovely drawings and turns them into jewellery and wearable accessories. This one looks just like my rabbit, Sir Anthony Hopkins. (pictured above on his 3 month birthday.)
A bag of ninjas
Catbug Hoops (by loveandasandwich)
I don’t really understand…I think I’m missing a reference… but anyways, this is cute!
Bird’s Yard
I first discovered Bird’s Yard in my second year of university, nearly 3 years ago, not long after it first opened. I was waiting for a megabus to make the long and arduous journey down to London. I hated that journey and it always put me in a bad mood, and whats more the coach was late so I had to stand on a grubby cold street and wait.
I turned around and saw the most beautiful inviting shop, and that was Bird’s Yard. I walked round amazed, it was so creative, so DIY and so full of stunning things. Everything had so much charm. I met Chloe and she was just so friendly and lovely. We talked for ages about crafts and I showed her my owls I was working on at the time (yes folks, I was well ahead of the trend. But that’s beside the point.) She gave me Michelle’s email address and told me to get in touch.
I then moved abroad for a year and when I got back to the UK and settled in I got in contact right away and met up with Michelle, who was just so passionate about the shop and it was just fantastic. The shop had changed and was more stunning, more full of amazing designers and vintage. I soon had my things in the shop and during my final year of uni I’d have my one or two days a month in Bird’s Yard. Every month I’d get to meet the other Yardie’s, hear about their business, see the shop progress, it was all very inspirational.
Since leaving uni it’d be a lie to say I’ve been doing great. I’ve been in a rut. I’ve been less creative, I’ve been unemployed and hopelessly broke, had jobs that have drained me and a lot of my closest friends have moved away. The past year has been really freaking difficult. Bird’s Yard has helped. When I’ve had monotonous jobs and months have passed where I’ve felt uncreative and uninspired, and then I’d have my day at Bird’s Yard, and I’d feel like a weight has lifted. These people get me. These people are talented, they’re inspiring, they’re devoted to their crafts and businesses and I am so happy to call them my friends.
The idea that Bird’s Yard could close is really devastating for me. I’ve stocked there longer than any other shop so far. It’s more than just somewhere I stock. It’s a support network, and I am not ready to loose it. So many fantastic individuals have built their businesses up there. So much has changed, and if you give us the chance we could grow and grow.
That’s right, it’s down to you, the shopper, the blogger, the people of Leeds, of Yorkshire and beyond. You can help. We are 2 minutes from Leeds town centre, just round the corner from the Corn Exchange. Come visit us and support us. If you need to buy a gift soon, buy it from us instead of a generic chain store.
