Wee Birdy

Wee find: Claudette cards

 

Loving the retro simplicity and the eco credentials of The Claudettes postcards, which are printed on 100 per cent recycled, uncoated board. I've already received one as a baby thank-you note, but they would also be perfect for party invitations or birth announcements. Or any occasion, really.

They're from wonderful Wee Birdy sponsor The Green Apple. Have a look for more fresh and fun eco-friendly and ethically-sourced gifts of the non-hair shirt variety. (Don't forget that you get 10 per cent discount with the code 'weebirdy'!)

Birdy pick of the week

I'm a dedicated builder's tea drinker, but these delightful origami bird teabags designed by Nathalia Ponomareva just might encourage me to consider the wonders of green berry tea. They've been doing the rounds of the blogosphere, but I just had to include them as a Birdy Pick of the Week. Thanks to Inspire Inspire for the tip! (Check out her recent trip to Lille here).

Wee trend: Customised vintage plates

I’ve noticed this little trend emerging after spotting Lou Rota’s bug-and-bird infested vintage plates at one of my favourite London shops, Caravan, last year (a full Caravan shop tour is on the to-do list!). The plates are customised using homemade and vintage decals. I particularly love the beetles scurrying across this chintz tea plate:

They’re mainly used for decorative purposes (they look amazing grouped on a wall) but can be used ‘lightly’, say for serving up cake for afternoon tea. Lou’s vintage plates can be found at Caravan and Liberty in London, and you can buy them online from Not on the High Street.

 

Ninainvorm is one of my favourite bloggers – and her Netherlands home is probably one of my most-visited ‘destinations’ on Flickr.  (I love her patchworked wall of vintage wallpapers.) She also makes ceramics (a combination of slipcasting and hand-shaping), and she screen-prints her own designs (like Scandi-style birdies) on to her work.

She also uses vintage items to screen-print as well, like these vintage plates with bunting and birds:

You can purchase Nina’s ceramics from her Etsy shop.

Le petit oiseau is another gorgeous blog I follow, this time closer to home in the UK. As well as being a real bower bird for lovely vintage finds, she uses decal paper to re-design vintage plates with Tangram-style collages.

Check out her Etsy shop at Le petit boutique.

Birdy pick of the week

Ben Newman's 'Honk Honk' giclee print, £20, from Soma Gallery.
(Soma Gallery is a Wee Birdy sponsor, so please show it some love!)

Birdy pick of the week

Bird and cage stamp set, US$10, from Yellow Owl Workshop.
(The giveaway bonanza will resume tomorrow morning!)