Have any of those hard-to-buy-for people on your holiday shopping list? Hand crafted solid birdseed treats, created with all-natural ingredients a creative, thoughtful solution! Every time your loved ones watch the happy birds, they’ll think of you! For the Birds is owned by a junior at Shippensburg University. She’s working her way through college to graduate debt free. Here’s more on the history and products of this one-of-a-kind small business!
For The Birds got its early start as a holiday gift idea. We all have that hard to buy for person, someone who has everything and does not need any more “stuff,” that was my mother-in-law, Kathy.
Kathy loved to feed the birds, and always had the best birdfeeders, birdbaths, and suet cages. Her yard was beautiful and filled with songbirds of every kind. Her birthday falls on Christmas, so it was always important for us to get her a special “birthday” gift that was separate from the holiday. A bag of birdseed was just not going to cut it. Working with my kids we made our first “birdseed treat” in the winter of 2015. The gift of a solid birdseed wreath was a hit. It was beautiful, unique, and a fun and unusual way to feed the birds.
Just a short year later, in the fall of 2016 my youngest daughter Berkley, who at the time was just thirteen years old, made a travel volleyball team. We were excited for her but knew both the financial and time commitment that went along with making the team. As her parents we wanted to challenge her to make sure she was committed. The fees to travel and join the team were expensive so to gage her dedication, we asked Berkley to think of some ways she could help pay for the fees. The bird-seed creations we made the year before immediately came to her mind. Her goal and plan were to make some to sell to family, friends, and neighbors.
We immediately got to work. A close neighbor who hosted a Holiday Open House every year, offered Berkley a small table to sell her birdseed creations and “For The Birds” was launched!
Selling out on her first show, and taking a very large order from a Corporate Business without checking with her parents first, definitely set the pace for just how special that business would become.
Over the next six years, Berkley worked both making the product and selling at local craft shows, festivals and farmers markets as well as through Etsy. For The Birds would provide financial backing for Berkley to play club volleyball and travel all over the country.
Over the years the business has grown and so has that little girl. Now a junior in college and attending Shippensburg University where she is continuing her athletic career as a member of the Shippensburg Raiders Volleyball team, as well as her education studying Early Childhood Education.
Living and running a small business through Covid brought many lessons both positive and negative. Communication skills, life lessons and friendships that running a small business has brought her way are invaluable.
Currently the day-to-day operations are coordinated by her parents Jason and Amy Simmons. As Berkley’s parents we have committed to helping her run the business to assist her in another dream: A Debt-Free Education. You can find Berkley at shows during the month of December, selling and still asking customers, “Do you like to feed the birds”
For The Birds continues to carry and sell those original bird-seed treats. We offer both large and small solid bird-seed wreaths as well as solid bird-seed eggs in both dozen and half dozen quantities. If you happen to make it to one of our shows this fall and winter, stop by and say hello. Meeting new people and staying connected to our supportive customers is one of our favorite things!
See “For the Birds” in-person at these 2024 craft shows:
Nov 7,8,9 – Mistletoe Mart
23 N Court St., Westminster, MD
Nov 16/17 – Holiday Craft Show
Fairfax High School, Fairfax, MD
Nov 23/24 Kris Kringle Holiday Craft Show
Hagerstown Comm. Coll., Hagerstown MD
Nov 23/24 Belle Grove’s Kris Kringle Market
Belle Grove Plantation, Middletown, VA
Nov 30 – Old World Christmas Market
18294 Blueridge Mountain Rd., Bluemont VA
Nov. 30 – Dec. 15 Chick’s Picks Holiday Pop Up
20453 Exchange St., Ashburn, VA
Dec 7/8 – Winter Craft Fair
Glen Burnie High School, Glen Burnie, MD
Dec 7/8 Ida Lee Holiday Craft Show
60 Ida Lee Drive NW, Leesburg VA
Dec. 13/14 – Christkindl Markt
50 West Washington Street, Hagerstown MD
Dec 14 – Handmade Christmas in Shepherdstown
102 E German Street, Shepherdstown WV
Giclée Canvas print, 20” x 30”
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Original Photography
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Giclée Canvas print, 16” x 24”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
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Giclée Canvas print, 16” x 24”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
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Giclée Canvas print, three panel triptych, 30" x 49 1/2" (w/ 3/4" gaps)
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
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Original Photography
Original Photography
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Original Photography
Giclée Canvas print, 20” x 30”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
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| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Original Photography
Original Photography
Giclée Canvas print, 8” x 40”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
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Giclée Canvas print, 16” x 24”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
