The new i like birds gift and home range from My Gifts Trade, launching at Spring Fair in February, is a significant collaboration with Marie Curie, with a very personal meaning for i love birds founder Stuart Cox.
Explains Stuart: “Years ago, I was made homeless after leading a bit of a reckless life and falling out of touch with my family in Brighton for years. When I started to find my feet again I got back in touch by sending my mum some illustrations to somehow let her know that everything was alright.
“Two weeks later she was diagnosed with a super rare cancer of the spine and we were told she did not have long left to live. She managed a year, the last part of which was in a hospice, where they managed to turn what should have been the worst days of my life into a beautiful celebration of her life. The hospice let her go out in a gentle and graceful way, with views of the birds from her window, so it’s a cause close to my heart and not a charity collaboration that’s been plucked out of thin air.”
Continues Stuart: “Within a year I also lost one of my brothers and my dad, and the illustrations were stuffed into a drawer because I was unable to look at them. Years later they were found there by a friend who suggested I get some printed as cards so they could sell them in their local café. I went along with his idea and they went through over 1000 in the first month! Paperchase soon got wind of this and approached me.”
Today, Stuart’s distinctive illustrations of British birds and flowers appear on an array of licensed products, to include a gift and homeware collection developed in partnership with My Gifts Trade.
The new collection includes home textiles and accessories, ceramic products and a decorative pin featuring a daffodil and Blue Tit design created by Stuart exclusively for the charity.
Ten per cent of the proceeds from every piece sold will be donated to Marie Curie, helping the charity to continue to provide care and support for people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones.
The collection will be showcased at Spring Fair 2020 (Hall 8 Stand C60-C71; B70-C71), taking place at the NEC from February 2-6.
Top: The exclusive i like birds enamel pin designed by the company’s founder Stuart Cox for Marie Curie.
