Featured Designer - Urban Fox Designs

Juliette, our dark horse, makes amazing screenprinted fabric, which she then uses to upholster furniture, or make into cushions. Last Christmas, her soft toy cats were best-sellers, so we're waiting to see what she brings out this festive season.

"Unique handmade and handscreen printed homewares. Inspired by nature and wildlife with an enigmatic twist."

 

A selection of hand-printed cushions

More cushions

More cushions

Hand printed fabric used to upholster a recycled chair

A selection of brightly coloured homewares

Close-up of cushion to show detail

If you can't make it to Bird's Yard, then have a look at Urban Fox's websites

www.wix.com/urban-fox/design

Shop through Etsy - www.etsy.com/shop/urbanfoxden

Featured Designer Monday - Two Material Girls

All over Bird's Yard, we have amazing lampshades - but they aren't just for decoration, they're all for sale!

Multi-talented Lisa and Sally, known as Two Material Girls, make bespoke lampshades in vintage, retro and contemporary fabrics.

 Map lampshades - made to order - £40 each

 Recycled stamp lampshade - £23

Here are some from contemporary fabrics.

If you'd like to get a commission, or more information about the lampshades shown here, please email twomaterialgirlsuk@gmail.com or visit their facebook page


@peskychloe
on behalf of Bird's Yard, 83 Kirkgate, Leeds 

Behind the scenes at a photo shoot!

We had a photo shoot this morning at the Yard - we're usually closed Mondays, but regular creative Claudia, who runs Kitsch-ina, has never done a photo shoot, so we arranged it for Bank Holiday Monday.

Here are some photos Pesky took so you can see what it's really like at a photo shoot - although I'm guessing most shoots don't have crumpets for everyone, mums hanging around finding umbrellas, and plastic lobsters on loan. We like to do things a bit differently at the yard, so we piped in the Glen Miller and poured out the tea!






















Links


Photography - Anne-Marie Price Photography
Aprons - Kitsch-ina
Jewellery - Life's Big Canvas
Vintage dress - Aurora Vintage 
Floral items - Dora's gift Box
Models - Danielle and Sophie

Full photos here in this flickr set

Latest News from Bird's Yard

Hey everyone!

Every week we'll now be giving you the latest news from each of our permanent shops! For our first post, let's reintroduce you to everyone, and where you can find them in the building.

Bird Shell 

All the amazing vintage couture items from the boutique on the top floor are now available to hire as well as rent! So if your budget can't justify that incredible dress for that special occassion, just hire it! You'll also find all the independent designers who used to be on the ground floor.

Marvellous Tea Room 

Have yourself a bit of refreshment before seeing the rest of the shops by stopping in at the vintage style Marvellous Tearooms - they share space on the ground floor with some of our independent designers, and if you haven't seen it yet, you simply have to come and look at how they've decorated!

Bird's Art Room

Run by The Lovely Crayfish, this room will soon be awash with the best in upcoming local talent, including prints, screen printed totes and t-shirts.

Aurora Vintage 

Laura has finally worked her magic with the big room on the first floor! We love her way of displaying items, and so far she's going down really well! If you haven't popped in to say hello, please come down -she's friendly, chatty, and will show you just how to wear those vintage pieces.

Dora's Gift Box 

Now Dora has moved into another room, her goods are flooded with light! If you need toys or gifts for any occassion, you'll be able to find something here.

Life's Big Canvas 

Pesky is still in the room at the top of the stairs, but has constantly changing featured designers, as well as a new Saturday girl, called Amy.

Blonde Fury

Chloe's salon is ready for business on our top floor! She's got some great offers on introductory appointments and student stylists.
For bookings or enquiries please contact Chloe on: 07816 221 295 or email: styling@blondefury.co.uk

Photography by: Martin M Photography, Laura Cooper, Hannah Crayfish

Searching for new birds for our nest

Well, after two years, things are getting busy for Bird's Yard and we find ourselves in need of some help, so we have some fantastic opportunities.

1. Saturday part time retail work in Birdshell vintage boutique. We're looking for someone with the following skills

- ideally a retail background
- interest in fashion, particularly vintage but also high fashion and mixing the two
- interest in style
- friendly personality
- good communication skills
- ability to work as a team

This position will be a paid opportunity, with rates to be discussed.

2. Intern positions

We're searching for summer interns with the following personalities

- interest in retail, design, branding, creativity and events
- ability to work as part of a team

The skill areas we're particularly looking for are

- website design, including maintaining, redesign and maybe even building apps for smart phones
- online retail eg building and maintaining a shop
- marketing and advertising
- social media such as twitter, pinterest, Facebook etc
- event planning
- visual merchandising inc window dressing
- general personal assistant responsibilities, such as organisation, communication and problem solving

This is an unpaid opportunity, but as you'll be working closely with the shop you'll be there on the ground floor for new opportunities when they arise, and we can give references, and the kind of advice and opportunities money just can't buy!

This would be perfect for someone wanting to open a shop of their own, or someone looking for something for their cv or college course

To apply for either of these positions, please email michelle@birdsyard.co.uk stating which position you're interested in and what qualities you can bring to the shop.

We look forward to meeting you all!