Store sells handmade clothes for kids

Three-week-old Sofia Boldman is perfect in every way except that she doesn’t have quite enough hair for a bow.

So her mother, Nicole, was delighted to find Sofia’s first pink, stretchy headband at downtown Oviedo’s newest handmade gift and consignment store, Little Bird Handmade, Consignment and More. Its product line is a unique blend of local artists’ creations and eco-friendly gifts for moms plus consignment clothing for newborns through juniors.

Little Bird opened Sept. 1, two doors down from the Oviedo Post Office and is easily recognized by its bright purple lettering, which has attracted moms jogging on the Cross Seminole Trail.

“They can see our purple sign from the trail, and they jogged right in,” said Oviedo mother and Little Bird owner Mary Brophy.

When first dreaming up Little Bird, Mary believed moms were looking for unique items that were made right there in the community, which is why the store carries handcrafted bracelets, necklaces, hair accessories, hats and headbands from local artisans Banana Bean Creations, Raenewed Pieces and Rebecca Lavender. Gift items include quilts, crocheted blankets and beanies made by her mother, Carol Boldman, while unique diaper cakes and sock cupcakes provide pastel whimsy.

But besides a need for the unique, Mary knew families needed the value of a consignment market.

“Kids grow so fast, and moms are looking for high-quality clothing at a great price,” Mary said. “This economy means consignment!”

Consignment clothing is taken in on a 50-50 split, and during the month of September, Mary will accept children’s consignment clothes without an appointment.

The bright yellow walls of Little Bird display nature photographs from local photographer Rebekah Schuck, bird art and bright graphics to style kids’ rooms. Carol said she is proud that her daughters have made such a large contribution to the Oviedo community.

“Working with my two daughters, seeing them use their strengths, has been wonderful,” Carol said. She enjoys working in an environment that nurtures creativity in others.

Carol showed off a jewelry display from her friend Val Garber. For the past seven years, former Longwood residents, Val and Lon Garber have been ministering to women of Namibia in South Africa. They taught them to make beads and jewelry as a source of income and independence. Selected pieces of their jewelry are for sale at Little Bird and proceeds go back to the Work of Our Hands ministry in Namibia. “It means so much to see the positive effects of someone I personally know,” Carol said.

Soon after Mary got the ball rolling, her entire family got involved. Mary, her sister Anna Ware, the company’s marketing director, and Carol have been working on the concept for about a year and soon their father chipped in by designing the store’s logo and their husbands became their IT experts.

Anna said bringing Little Bird to life was somewhat easier than she expected. “The concept came together really well,” she said.

“We have been super blessed that our family covered all the bases,” Mary added.

Community is as important to the Little Bird team as the bottom line. Mary hopes to cultivate a hub for moms, speak to local groups and eventually include story time for children at the store. She hopes to give local artists greater exposure.

Why the name Little Bird? First, the Brophy family loves the Oviedo chickens and second, Mary remembered that special needs mom Jenny McCarthy lovingly called her son, “my little bird”.

As the mother of a special needs son, Mary felt strongly about including new educational toys in her product line. She sells many Melissa & Doug products that teach motor and language skills and concepts reflecting good manners and respect for the Earth.

Nearby businessowners have been supportive, Mary said, and customers are excited about the convenient downtown location. “We love Oviedo,” she said. “It’s always felt like home to us.”

Learn more

Little Bird Handmade, Consignment and More

87 Geneva Drive

Oviedo, FL 32765

407-721-5309

[email protected]

www.TheLittleBirdStore.com