My Bird Making Process...

I thought it would be nice to share a little bit of information about how my birds are created here at Annette Mackie Handmade. When you purchase one of my bird sculptures it really is a one-off, a unique art piece that I hope will delight its recipient. Each bird always takes on their own little personality with their own stance and look in their eye. No two birds are ever the same.

Every element of the bird making process is completed by me, from choosing the fabric and cutting out the pattern pieces, right through to carefully wrapping, packing and posting.

All my birds are made using my own design patterns, which were created after making many, many prototypes until I was happy with the final look.

The detailing on my birds (particularly the wings and tail) is an intuitive process, especially on my larger birds. I tailor each one to what feels right for that bird, often using a variety of decorative lace and accent fabrics. The beaks are crafted using fabric and thread. The legs are made using wire and are always finished off with one of my signature leg rings with my initials imprinted upon it.

Wrapping and packing is also a bit of a passion of mine. Every bird sculpture comes gift boxed in a cosy nest of sustainably sourced and environmentally friendly wood wool.

I gift wrap each one with copper orange tissue paper and finish off by tying it up with grey bakers twine and adding a little bird tag.

My postal boxes and inner packaging are either recycled from items that have been delivered to me or made from recycled materials and I only use eco-friendly kraft self-adhesive tape.

My Studio

All of my birds are made in my small, but perfectly formed, studio in Northamptonshire. I am definitely what you would call a hoarder and have accumulated a vast array of fabrics and vintage reels over the years. Some might call it cluttered but I love being surrounded by my sewing paraphernalia whilst I work.
I also love to collect pieces by other independent makers which I have displayed all around the studio and delight in every day. This truly is my happy place.

Sustainability Pledge 2025

I am passionate about being a sustainable business so I have now pledged to only purchase unwanted or waste fabric or clothing should I require any more supplies. I also keep literally all my scraps and offcuts and use these to create my bird art pictures. I am hoping to make my own frames for these using recycled/unwanted wood in the near future as well (if my skills allow!).
The only fabric I now purchase 'new' is for my Harris Tweed birds but again, as I work with smaller pieces I buy the offcuts direct from a producer on the Isle of Lewis. I mount my birds on genuine vintage cotton reels or alternatively onto branch blocks which are sourced from my own garden, cut to size, sanded and then lightly waxed to bring out the textures.
There is undoubtedly much more that can be achieved but, like many of us, I am continually searching, researching and learning about how to make my business as eco friendly as possible.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I'd love to hear from you.

Contact me