The Chirpy Blackbird

09/05/2026

I’ve been absent from instagram for a while after my hip replacement operation. Recovery going well and I’ll be back very soon. Photo of Moon water for last week’s flower moon with Sophie Huddleston. . Setting our intentions.

18/03/2026

This travel trunk will have to wait a while as I had a hip replacement operation on Friday. I’m taking a while off to recuperate.
Last week, I started to patch up the canvas. There’s some brass under the rusty old locks too. Looking forward to getting back to it & finishing the trunk.

04/03/2026

The Steamer Trunk. Messy filling, next stage canvas repair. It’s had a rough life. It’s been wet as you can tell by the canvas and the leather straps have rotted away. It will have travelled on ships so maybe thrown in the hull with many others. I doubt it was green as it’s been painted at some point.

13/02/2026

Hi, There was a hick up yesterday as my store didn't update. Everything in the sale is now showing. https://thechirpyblackbird.etsy.com?
Sale continues in my Etsy store. Keeping the sale on for now to clear stock. Adding more next week.

10/02/2026

The magic machine in action and the finished pansy. Just a bit of practice on this embroidery sewing machine. It performs acrobats too🤣 well maybe not but it’s very clever.

05/02/2026

Project Steamer Travel Trunk 🚢. Where to start🤷‍♀️I wonder where it’s travelled to in the past. I’m starting with rust removal. I’ll then see how I can patch the canvas. It’s going to be a challenge!

02/02/2026

A smaller project today. Antique oak plant stand. This was covered in brown paint. There is some lovely wood underneath and it’s coming up a treat.

31/01/2026

https://thechirpyblackbird.etsy.com/listing/1869267815

Beautiful Pine Up Cycled Dresser in my Etsy Store via link.

This Living Room Furniture item is sold by TheChirpyBlackbird. Ships from United Kingdom. Listed on Oct 6, 2025

28/01/2026

A message for customers:
Going forward I am phasing out making and selling Confetti Cones, Baskets, trays etc. I am still considering if I will continue to sell the petals.
When I started on this journey there was a handful of people selling confetti accessories. Now it's a saturated market mainly because of Chinese sellers and UK sellers drop shipping. Temu and Shein now have warehouses in the UK.

UK sellers will also take your money and have the items made in and posted to you from China ( drop shipping)
Etsy is no longer a hand made market place. Be careful who you order from and be careful what you purchase.

Remember when you purchase made in China it is from a communist country with very poor working conditions and a high percentage of slave labour. It also damages the British economy.

I am going to concentrate on my sewing, where I can use fabrics that the Chinese cannot copy and pass off as genuinely British.

Please purchase any confetti cones, trays and accessories as soon as possible. Also take advantage of the very reasonable sale items I have in my store. Also watch this space Exciting times are on the way :)

18/01/2026

New Dresser project for 2026. I’ve just started to prepare this lovely solid pine dresser. It’s in great condition so not too much preparation. Some very dark stain in the top edge but I’ll have that completely removed tomorrow.