Meet the Maker: Fine Feathers

We were delighted to introduce a brand new maker to the WeeBox Clan, Fine Feathers back in April!  A beautifully crafted accessories brand based in the Scottish Borders. Inspired by the landscapes and wildlife of the region, Fine Feathers creates distinctive feather brooches and accessories that celebrate craftsmanship, sustainability, and rural tradition.

Founded by Cheryl, she took the leap into self-employment in January 2025 after a long career working in mental health and pharmacy. What began as a creative hobby has quickly grown into a thriving small business, though its beginnings were wonderfully simple. The very first Fine Feathers piece was a handmade brooch Cheryl created as a gift for her mother-in-law.

Watching that single brooch grow into a recognised brand has been one of the most rewarding parts of Cheryl’s journey. She describes Fine Feathers not simply as a business, but as a way of life, one built on creativity, craftsmanship and the support of her family, who often lend a hand behind the scenes.

Fine Feathers is firmly rooted in sustainability and traditional craft. Cheryl works with locally sourced game bird feathers that would otherwise be discarded, turning them into beautiful wearable pieces. Each brooch is carefully handmade, with individual feathers arranged by hand to create unique combinations of colour and texture. For this WeeBox alone, Cheryl placed around 47,500 feathers by hand to create the pins included in the box, ensuring that no two pieces are exactly the same.

Working locally is also central to how the business operates. Cheryl collaborates with a printer in nearby Jedburgh for her packaging and design work, choosing to support another Borders business rather than outsourcing production online. It’s a small detail that reflects her wider philosophy of keeping craftsmanship and community at the heart of the brand.

Despite being a relatively new venture, Fine Feathers has already gained recognition in the world of British Country fashion. Cheryl now supplies respected brands such as Really Wild in London’s Sloane Square and the historic gunmaker Westley Richards, yet she remains deeply committed to the personal service that has defined the business from the beginning.

Fine Feathers is based on Cheryl’s family beef and arable farm in the Scottish Borders, where the surrounding countryside continues to inspire every design. Fields, wildlife, and changing seasons all influence the colours and textures that appear in her work.

The natural tones of the feathers pair beautifully with tweeds and tartans, making them a perfect addition to wardrobes inspired by Scotland’s countryside.

For Cheryl, sharing her work with the WeeBox Clan is something she feels incredibly proud of. After months of careful work, she hopes each brooch brings a small sense of individuality, craftsmanship and Scottish countryside spirit to its new home.