Today we’d like to introduce you to Tori Tedesco
Hi Tori, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Little Birdie Design Studio was born out of my need for a knit hat and scarf that was both practical and fashionable while in a neutral color palette. Unable to find exactly what I was looking for in stores, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I taught myself how to knit and started designing my own knitting patterns. It was a creative journey that turned into something truly meaningful.
In 2009, Little Birdie officially launched as a business, and I began selling my custom-designed knitwear at local Ohio markets and shops. What started as a personal quest for the perfect knit pieces has grown into a passion-driven business, that allows me to provide others with high quality, timeless knit wear designs.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Over the years, my journey as a small business owner has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. From 2017 to 2020, I experienced an incredible surge of economic support that swept through the business. Watching Little Birdie Design Studio (LBDS) grow beyond the confines of my local community was truly remarkable, marking a period of unprecedented expansion.
However, as my handcrafted knitwear gained wider recognition, I couldn’t ignore the changing tides of the economy. Despite record-breaking sales, I began to notice that consumer spending habits were evolving, and the once-steadfast support for local small businesses was shifting. This change presented me with an important moment to pause and reflect on my customers: who they are, what they value, and how their objectives for their wardrobes and home décor were evolving.
I shifted my focus toward creating pieces that perfectly blend functionality, practicality, and durability—while remaining timeless and handcrafted to last for generations. Five years ago, my husband Kyle and I decided to venture into a new creative direction: crocheted handbags. We wanted to design sturdy, everyday bags that could stand the test of time. When we launched them on the LBDS website, social media, and at various events, the response was overwhelming. Customers eagerly shared how they incorporated our bags into their lives and voiced their desires for additional features and styles.
This feedback inspired us to explore a new project: the fusion of leather with fiber. Our mission was to craft bespoke handbags that seamlessly blend full leather with mixed textile pieces, creating something truly unique.
In 2023, Little Birdie Design Studio underwent an exciting evolution. Kyle and I launched a new brand under the LBDS umbrella: Coalesce Leather. This collection, which reflects both of our creative talents, allowed us to separate our knitwear and home décor items under the Little Birdie name while focusing on leather goods under Coalesce Leather.
This collaboration between Kyle and me may not have happened if we hadn’t faced our challenges with a positive outlook, seeing them as opportunities to grow both as artists and as a business. It’s been a journey of adaptation, and I’m so excited to see where this next chapter takes us.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Little Birdie Design Studio is a knitting business that specializes in modern knitwear and knit home décor. I take immense pride in designing all of my own patterns and personally knitting each and every piece. When customers purchase from LBDS, they can be confident that they are receiving a high-quality item, carefully handcrafted with attention to detail.
Over the years, LBDS has become known for its cozy, chunky knit styles and soft, neutral colors, which have resonated with so many people seeking timeless pieces that bring comfort and style into their homes and wardrobes.
More recently, with the expansion of our handbag line, Coalesce Leather, we’ve started to gain recognition for our unique half-leather, half-crochet handbags. These one-of-a-kind designs have become an exciting and defining aspect of the business, and we’re incredibly proud of how they’ve added a new dimension to our creative offerings. The fusion of leather and crochet has allowed us to bring something truly distinctive to the market, and it’s been such a rewarding journey to see these handbags gain a following of their own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.littlebirdiedesignstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebirdiedesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlebirdiedesign
