At Mash + Mint, we love discovering the stories behind independent British brands - especially those that bring creativity, craftsmanship and a sense of humour into the home. One such brand is Cluck Cluck!, founded by artist Victoria Hall, whose distinctive bird illustrations have become beloved across kitchens and homes throughout the UK.
Based in the Suffolk countryside, Victoria transforms hand-drawn ink sketches of hens, puffins, pheasants and other birds into a joyful collection of British-made kitchen textiles, ceramics and homeware. What began with a single tea towel at a local church fair has grown into a characterful range of made-in-England gifts and kitchen accessories, each carrying Victoria’s signature bold lines and playful personality.
In this Mash + Mint Founder Q&A, Victoria shares the story behind Cluck Cluck!, how the birds around her inspire each design, why supporting UK manufacturing has always been a core value, and how small details can bring warmth and personality to a kitchen. If you love country kitchen style, artist-designed homeware, and thoughtful British gifts, you’ll enjoy stepping into Victoria’s creative world.
What inspired you to start Cluck Cluck! and turn your artwork of hens and birds into a homeware and gift collection?
When we moved out of London in 2010 I was keen to get back to drawing and making smaller artworks. My father had suggested I should try drawing hens again, as he reminded me that when I was an art student I would often sell them at Christmas.
I drove past a sign for a clearance sale at a local printers, near the market town where I live, I popped in I found a wonderful screen printing company making kitchen textiles and it seem a perfect product for the ink drawings that I was working on. After a local church fair with my first tea towel I was hooked!
Your designs begin as hand-drawn sketches of birds from life. How does living in the Suffolk countryside influence your creativity and product designs?
I am surrounded by hens and pheasants, which gives me plenty of opportunity to watch them dance around. I then spend time drawing from life in a form of shorthand. It looks like crazy squiggles, but it gives me a feel for the movement of the birds. This is then translated into a ink drawing using a thick nib giving a clear line on which the designs are then based on.
For readers discovering Cluck Cluck! for the first time, how would you describe the style and personality of your brand?
Contemporary take on a traditional subject. A simple line drawing, not quit a cartoon, but still with a bit of humour! A touch of colour to brighten up the day.
Many of your designs start as fine art prints before becoming kitchen textiles and homeware. How do you translate artwork into products people can use every day?
I wanted the textiles to feel like a hanging picture, which is why the designs are a full size image, rather than a repeat pattern. I love the brightness and punch of the picture with the simple drawings.
I also test out the designs as prints or cards and see which people are drawn too before selecting to take them further.
Your range includes everything from tea towels and aprons to ceramics and feather-finished prints. Which products have become unexpected bestsellers over the years?
The very angry looking penguin that I made just before Christmas one year, because I was in a grump! It’s always been hugely popular design, especially on the espresso cups. The bright yellow puffin apron is very popular, especially when people have been to visit the puffins.
British kitchens have become more design-focused in recent years. What do you think makes a kitchen feel personal and full of character?
The little touches, such as the well thumbed cookery books. I am an avid collector of jugs of all sizes and I think they add a very personal touch too.
Cluck Cluck! products are proudly made in England using small producers. Why was supporting British manufacturing important to you from the beginning?
Making all the products in the UK was a founding principle of the business. I wanted to have a very hands-on approach and be involved in the production at every stage. I visit all the production partners that I work with, and they often visit me when I have a stand at events, this helps build a really good working relationship and trust as well as great friendships!
Many people love gifting homeware. What are your favourite Cluck Cluck! pieces to give as thoughtful gifts for friends or family?
When I go to visits friends I love to take a bottle of wine wrapped in one of the tea towels, it makes the gift feel a more special.
Your designs feature many different birds, from hens and pheasants to puffins and pelicans. Do you have a personal favourite bird to draw?
At the moment it’s ducks, but I am always sketching hens. I find customers will suggest birds they would like on the products, so then I will spend a bit of time looking at those and seeing what works. I tend to draw larger birds than the classic garden ones. Next in line to have a look at is the Sea Gull.
You’ve been a practising artist since the 1990s before launching Cluck Cluck! in 2010. How has your artistic journey shaped the brand today?
Whilst being an artist, I have always worked alongside in publishing. I worked as a picture editor for a variety or magazines and books ranging from interiors to historical titles. This gave me a far wider skill set that I realised when I set up by business. It helped in the building of the website, product shots and gaining press coverage too.
Running an independent creative business comes with challenges. What have been the biggest lessons you've learned as a founder?
Making sure you do have the occasional day off! It is very hard to take a break, but it is really important to stand back and look at your product and how it is perceived by others.
Sustainability and craftsmanship are increasingly important in homeware. How do these values influence the way Cluck Cluck! products are created?
They are extremely important and they also are contributing factors to making the products in the UK. I spent a good few years working with different people to get to the high standard and finish of the product at a price point that worked. With keeping it all UK means the carbon footprint is pretty low too.
For someone styling a cosy country kitchen or cottage interior, how can small details like textiles and tableware transform the space?
A splash of colour can really warm up the practical colours that are often used in a kitchen. My farmhouse kitchen is painted a dark grey (Railings Farrow & Ball) and I have bright yellow textiles and stools to contrast with it, bring a bit of cheer too!
What does a typical creative day look like for you when designing new Cluck Cluck! pieces?
Sketching outside, then pulling together photos and sketches and drawing straight in ink on an A4 thick cartridge paper, you can really here the scratch of the pen. I will do several in one sitting and then come back to review them the next day so the ink is fully dry too.
Finally, what’s next for Cluck Cluck! - are there any new designs, birds or collections you’re excited to bring to homes soon?
It’s the Sea Gull, which gives me a great excuse to visit the Suffolk coast on a regular basis! I am just working on what colour to place it on so it can join the other placemats. I will make a series of samples and then get feed back from children and their friends when they come through the door.
Victoria’s story is a wonderful reminder that the most memorable homeware often begins with a simple idea and a personal connection to place. From sketching hens dancing around the Suffolk countryside to working closely with UK makers, Cluck Cluck! captures the charm of British country life through art that can be used and enjoyed every day.
At Mash + Mint, we are proud to showcase independent brands like Cluck Cluck! that celebrate craftsmanship, creativity and thoughtful design. Victoria’s playful birds prove that even the smallest touches - a tea towel, apron or espresso cup - can add warmth, humour and character to the heart of the home.
If you’re looking for unique British homeware, country kitchen accessories or thoughtful gifts for food lovers, Cluck Cluck! pieces are designed to bring a little joy into everyday moments. Explore more Cluck Cluck products here.
