Golden Eagles in Matching Scottish Bonnets

A couple of Eagles I did a while back. This was a commission for a couple's 2 year wedding anniversary - they had been bird watching in Scotland when they saw a pair of Golden Eagles and decided to get married. So a very appropriate present :)

Burrowing Owl in a Miners Helmet

This one's another personal commision - I was particularly pleased to find the worlds 'frowniest' Owl..

Red-billed Blue Magpie in a Red Bowler Hat

I'm back from Hong Kong! It's such an incredible, varied place, it has some brilliant parks (and aviaries!) hidden amongst the madness of Central and Kowloon, with half-deserted, forested islands just a £2 ferry away. I managed to see the critically threatened Spoon-billed Sandpiper at the Hong Kong Wetland Park, which is well worth a visit if you get a chance.

I spent a Sunday in Stanley on the south side of Hong Kong island and saw these crazy birds - they have the longest tail of any Corvid, sound really odd and look amazing when they fly.
I also came to the realisation while I was there, that I might be a full-blown bird watcher rather than bird enthusiast these days...

Finally - & very excitingly - my favourite London market's Easter outing is coming up - it's the Crafty Fox market, I'll be there this Saturday with a bunch of new things, but just go either day, it's cracking. It's held in The Dogstar pub, which is a five minute walk from Brixton tube station :)

Atlantic Puffin in a Sou'wester, Red Crowned Crane in a Bucket Hat and Rock Pigeon in a Deerstalker (!)

This was a really fun commission I did a couple of weeks back for a Norwegian/Japanese/English couple! Hence the mix of Japanese, Norwegian and British birds. It was a lot of fun to work at A2 size and I will be drawing more Cranes on some very large paper as soon as I get the chance..

Gentoo Penguin in Top Hat (with Monocle and Cane)

The Gentoo is a pretty good contender for my favourite penguin, and I decided I wanted one on a bag. So here he is!

Avocet in a Trendy Beanie (with roll up, glasses & a sailor tat)

One of my personal favourites and another one that I designed for the Maybe a Vole's Christmas show - not just because I know a few human versions of this one but because I've been meaning to draw an Avocet for ages. It's the mascot of the RSPB, a lovely charity that you should go join if you're in the UK.

Flamingo in a Bowler Hat (with pipe)

A pretty slick fellow I drew for the lovely Maybe a Vole galleries' pop up during Christmas (he'll be available as a print on my online shop soon) It's a lovely place in Dalston and my birds had a cracking time there, go visit if you get a chance

Rockhopper Penguin in a Party Hat

This was a special commission I thought I'd share that I designed before Christmas - for somebody's Mum's 60th Birthday! (Apparently she's a fan of Rockhoppers)

European Robin in a Flat Cap

So I had a very, very busy December, followed by a very, very sedentary holiday. Back to business now with lots of new, exciting things in the pipeline! Not all birds in hats, but mostly animals wearing human clothes. And some birds wearing hats.

Apologies for those that didn't get Birds in Hats 2013 calendars - I was pretty overwhelmed by their popularity! Needless to say I will be much, much more prepared for the 2014 calendar...

This was a commission for a friend's Granddad for his Christmas present, who was apparently visited by a robin just like this, named Robin :)

Emporer Penguin in a Christmas Cracker Hat and bad taste Christmas Jumper

My calendars have sold out! This is brilliant and slightly scary news - can't believe so many people are happy to have birds in hats on their wall all year round :)
I have a big delivery of them coming on Thursday though and am taking lots of pre orders on Etsy over here, so there is still a chance for you too to own a bird in a hat for every month of 2013.

In the meantime here is a Penguin from the Christmas card range... I wasn't going to upload any Christmas ones till December but... I have

Mute Swans in Matching Winter Hats

Some loved up Swans for February on the Calendar. Might be 2013's Valentines Day card!

I've also added a bunch of stocking filler things to the Etsy shop, including these cute fridge magnets, of which you can get all 5 for ten pounds!

Peacock in a Scottish Bonnet

A commision I did awhile back that I haven't got round to uploading - a peacock in a scottish bonnet! 

If you fancy a commision in time for Christmas (because where are you going to find a more useful gift than a personal bird in a hat?) then send an email to alicetams@gmail.com, I'm getting booked up!

Eurasian Magpie in a Witches Hat (October)

Since October's coming to a close... here's October's bird! Part of the calendar that is finally on sale over here in my shop :)

Barn Owl in a Rain Hat (November)

So - I am off to New York for 10 days and when I return many more things will start to get added to the shop... one thing I'm very excited about is my calender, which I'm going to start posting now.
Say hello to one of my favourites, November!

Superb Fairy Wren in a Red Beret

Have been meaning to do one of these amazing wrens for ages. So blue! Very the artist formally known as Prince...
Have been working manically on a 2013 Birds in Hats calender and the new Christmas range - both of which have been filtering onto the Birds in Hats Facebook page in their half finished forms and both of which will be posted in full in the coming months :)
I also had the most lovely time at the Renegade Craft Fair a couple of weeks ago. The awesome Ali & Jam of HelloDodo have blogged about it, as has Amy of 'Into the Treasure Box' and Kat of 'Sweet Valentine'. Check them out for a few shots of my stall, me (well, kind of) and some awesome blogs!
I will be starting a proper, and much broader blog in the next month or so and will begin chronicling the many many gems I bought, traded and put on my Christmas list....
Oh yeah and some new stockists to announce soon. Exciting!

Hoopoe in a Poker Visor

87!

Toco Toucan in a Safari Hat

A cheeky one I did for fun. Over 2 years ago my second 'bird in hat' was a Vulture in a Safari hat. I ought to count how many I've done so far really. News on that in the next post (maybe)

Dodo in Lewis Carroll's Mad Hatter's Hat

My second Alarmist illustration - this one's Lewis Carroll inspired

Bluebird in Bukowski's Wooly Hat

This is the first of three illustrations I did for The Alarmist (do follow the link and buy the first issue, it's absolutely full of brilliant words, images and surprises) going along the 'literary' bird in a hat route. Which I'm sure is a regularly followed route...

Mute Swan in a Danish Clapper Hat

A fun commission I did a while back, very Danish indeed :)

Budgie in a Bow

So one computer meltdown later... I am back. Despite the stress, cost, inconvenience etc... it is exciting to have a new toy.. and I have a HUGE backlog of illustrations to upload and mess about with due to my week or so confined to paper and pen alone. I'm at the Backyard Market off Brick Lane, Sunday as usual drawing away and am going to start to do more Greenwich markets since my back problems seem to be on the mend. Come say hi!

I may draw this guy (the blue ridge on his nose is the give away apparently) a green lady friend - suggestions on the colour of bow welcome :)

Common Starling in a Brown Floppy Hat

One of the more labour intensive birds... but I've been meaning to do a Starling for ages, I love them! The Superb Starling is definitely on my very long to-draw list now. (best bird name ever - google it, it's very jazzy)

I also have a June 'stall' on the brilliant Blog and Buy Sale site which, as usual, has a great selection of treats to browse through. If you head over there and give my stall a 'like' or a 'tweet' that would be lovely and very helpful.
Also remember to like my facebook page if you'd like a bit of bird and hat related friendly spam ;)

Great Hornbill in Indiana Jones' Hat

This was a commission for someones boyfriends birthday :) email alicetams@gmail.com for your very own!

Zebra Finch in a Summer Straw Boater Hat

Because London has been GLORIOUS this past week or so. Hopefully the lovely weather will continue through to the jubilee weekend because I will be in Brick Lane Backyard market this Sunday and I'll be taking part in the Rivington Street Festival, on Rivington Street in Shoreditch next Monday bank holiday. Come and say hi, have a drink, dance and a shop in a hopefully sunny east London with me! :)

A Diamond Jubilee Garden Birds Party - and some news

Living a stones throw away from 'Royal Greenwich' (if the stone was thrown by a powerful robot) I couldn't really resist doing a little homage to the Diamond Jubilee this year. I've been very busy lately - Birds in Hats has gained a few more stockists which I'll be talking about soon - and lots of more fun products in the store. Even pocket mirrors! Due to a back injury confining me to my flat a lot more than I'm used to... there will be a lot more updates too :)

Bald Eagle in a U.S Navy Lieutenant's Cap

A commission for a lovely American chap. Email alicetams@gmail.com for your very own bird in hat!

Saker Falcon in a Tennis Headband

For Wes Anderson fans... (Mordecai!)

...And lots of new fun things going up in the shop this week :)
Thanks to everyone who came to the Crafty Fox in Brixton last Sunday. it was brilliant and I can't wait till the next! I shall be in London Bridge/Borough this Saturday for the Wonderhill Market and in North Finchley on Sunday for the Mercy&Pearl Market, so stop by and say hi if you're near either!

Three Chicks in Easter Bonnets

The two on the left are talking about the one on the right...

... and pigeon tote bags now for sale on my Etsy shop :)

Duckling in Easter Bunny Ears

Spring is coming...

Mallard in a Fisherman's Hat

Bald Eagle in an FBI Cap

Another commission for a special American friend! Lots of markets in and around London towards the end of March - details to come - and some new stockists :)

Cardinal in the Ohio State College Football Helmet

For a friend in America, who is clearly a fan. (The cardinal is the official state bird of Ohio)

Rock Pigeon in St. Edward's Crown

Just in time for the jubilee... (I'll be in Greenwich Market tomorrow if you want to come and say hi!)

Valentines Day cards and February Sale!

Valentines Day is approaching and there are two new romantic Birds in Hats cards over in the Etsy shop! Next day delivery to make sure they get there in time AND 10% off everything in the store with the code HAPPYFEB10 as a special treat :) Lots of new birds on their way and I'll be knocking about Greenwich Market next Wednesday and the New Vintage market in Brixton next Saturday selling my wares, details to follow.
I was also interviewed by the lovely Aussie blog Spincushions a while back, which you can find here.

Rock Pigeon in a Bearskin

Synthetic, obviously.

Blue Tit in a Valentines Day Top Hat

Break the ice with a valentines day bird in a hat...

Peach-Faced Lovebirds in Matching Bobble Hats

Getting ready for Valentines day with a couple of snug lovebirds.

Rock Pigeon in a British Police Helmet

The second pigeon of a series of four London themed birds - Hopefully ending up on postcards in the near future. Tote bags and some special Valentines day cards are underway and there are three new designs up on the Etsy shop - Valentines day discount/treat coming soon :)

Bald Eagle in a Crystal Palace Beanie

A Christmas commission for my manager's boyfriend - a Crystal Palace fan (their mascot being an eagle...)

Magpie in a Brown Leather Trilby

I was asked to give a magpie a 'pikey' hat by a drunken regular and here we are. Inspiration taken from Brad Pitt's brown leather trilby in Snatch...

And thanks to everyone who came down for the Christmas market in Brixton last Saturday, it was great fun and I'll be doing plenty more in 2012 :) I'll also be expanding my stocklists majorly, so email me if you're interested and birds in hats now has it's home on facebook - here.

Christmas!!

Four new A6 christmas cards have gone up on my Etsy shop!
If you're ordering online they'll be posted the same or next day first class and so should be with you before Christmas for now...

...However I will be at the second New Vintage market in Brixton this Saturday, on Coldharbour Lane at
The Living Bar. Last months market was brill and there'll be many new designs on sale there!

Some of which you can see here - my 2011 Christmas designs! They'll be printed on 350gsm card, A5 and with some extra glitter.
Hopefully on sale on my Etsy shop after the market if there's time - email me if you'd like to pre order any (£3.50 per card, all 4 for £12)

Happy Christmas!

Red Footed Partridge (in a tree) in Christmas Knitwear

Two Turtle Doves in Gold Christmas Cracker Hats

Three Winter Wrens in the Three King's Hats

Four Long Tailed Tits in Santa Hats