Meet Monica: creativity, colour and the story of Twenty Birds

In this 'Meet The Maker' post, we hear from Monica Gabb, creator of Twenty Birds and one of our most local suppliers. I first met Monica when she was exhibiting in Ripon Cathedral, before I'd opened the GreenHouse, and I knew I wanted to stock her colourful designs straight away. She is participating in North Yorkshire Open Studios this weekend, so you can visit her space above Drinkswell on Ripon marketplace on Saturday and Sunday. Here's her story.

Monica Gabb, Founder of Twenty Birds

First of all, tell us a bit about your business

I have a greetings card and giftware business which started with only geometric birds. I have a range of cards in varying formats, hanging birds, tea towels, mugs and fabric.

A selection of Monica's work in The GreenHouse

What inspired you to start?

I started working on developing my skills at screen printing. I worked on layering colours and tessellating shapes. I became drawn to the colour combinations of birds and used abstracted versions to create my first print. The more I researched birds the more the interest grew. I saw how the birds in their triangular format could work on additional products - separating out the tessellation from the print onto a tea towel to work as a key to the prints. Since then my collections have grown. I also now have cards and prints with flowers and the most recent cats. There is always an element of abstraction and simplification to maintain the aesthetic style.

How do you incorporate sustainable practices into your business?

I am really keen to avoid unnecessary packaging and have no plastics. My sticky-out range have delicate pop outs so I use compostable cellos for these. All other packaging I make sure is minimal and printed by me or in the UK. When I cannot print my own products, I always make sure the materials are ethically sourced and printed in the UK too.

What's your proudest moment?

One of my prints was shown and sold in the Bankside Gallery in London (next to the Tate Modern) The curator of the exhibition was Jonny Hannah who is a printmaker I have admired for years.

Monica's print work

What do you love most about running your own business?

The flexibility and creativity of creating new products. 

Any top tips for other small business founders out there?

Keep going and stay adaptable. You will have fluctuations of busy and quiet times, I have a second job alongside my business which mostly compliments it. I still enjoy having both as I am not under pressure to make products that are too commercial, I can still follow my creative path and stay niche.

We still stock many of Monica's products, including her original hanging birds and her latest creations, embossed Cat-themed cards. Don't miss the chance meet Monica, and her studio-mate Amy, in their studio on Ripon Marketplace this weekend as part of North Yorkshire Open Studios.