“The rooster may crow, but everyone knows the hen delivers the goods.” – Unknown
Mother hen Danielle Ben-David deconstructs and reconstructs various materials like organic cottons, bamboo fleece, linen, and hand-woven wrap scrap into new plush creations through her shop, Chickadee and Hen. The result is squawk-worthy.
“I love working with all sorts of materials, especially luxe minky, organic bamboo fleece, and woven wrap scrap from babywearing wraps. My favorite combination is organic bamboo fleece and upcycled wrap scrap,” Ben-David shared. “I love constructing all sorts of plush animals, but I think coming up with new lovey designs is my favorite.” Ben-David “hatched” the idea after her son turned one in August 2016. “I had sewn some blankets and loveys for him and a few friends and family suggested I sew items to sell,” she said. “I started off making loveys and selling on Etsy, and soon after, I started my own website and began making loveys and plush animals.” The shop name actually came to Ben-David from a children’s song. “One of the birds mentioned in the song is a little chickadee. I was thinking about that song and, in the process, learned that a hen is the name of any kind of bird that is a mom. So I thought chickadee and hen sounded cute! A little baby chickadee and its mama.”
Prior Chickadee and Hen collections include bunnies, hedgehogs, llamas and, of course, chicks, as well as minky loveys in a range of festive colors. Ben-David also offers a limited number of custom spots every month. “I love working with different patterns and altering patterns or designing my own to make the perfect lovey,” she shared. “I am inspired by cute and snuggly animals in nature as well as suggestions from my customers. I love making the things they want to see and they know their little ones will love.” Ben-David has received all types of custom requests, including some particularly meaningful ones. “The most unique custom order I have made was a moose made with a baby wrap that represented a twin who had passed away. The moose was for the surviving baby to have and snuggle,” she recalled. “It was so difficult emotionally to sew the piece because of the mother’s story and because I felt so much pressure to get it right since it was so important for her. I wanted it to be perfect, as though it could offer her healing in some way. These stories and many more are the reason why this work is so meaningful and why I truly feel honored to be able make something that a little one will love for years to come.”
Shake a tail feather and join the Chickadee and Hen VIP Facebook group for new drop dates and availability for custom creations. More photos are also available on the shop website located here.
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