16 Sparrows

Artist: Kathy Zadrozny
Web site link: 16 Sparrows

Where are you located?
16 Sparrows is strictly an online shop, but the studio is in Chicago. My business partner, Donovan, lives in Chicago, while I go back and forth between Chicago and Savannah as I attempt to complete a Masters degree in Art History.

What do you create?
Sarcastic paper goods for quirky, cynical and unique individuals.

How did you come up with your company name?
As a little girl, I saw a woman with a sparrow tattoo and worked up the nerve to ask her what it meant. She told me that sparrows were a signal to sailors that land was near and developed into a source of hope for those who had been out to sea for a long time. Since then, I’ve loved the symbol of the sparrow and its many interpretations. As far as the sixteen goes, it’s simply my favorite number.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
It was early 2003 and I was working for “the man” (aka an advertising firm) and began to feel my creativity withering. I was already making cards and stationary for my friends, which gave me a great and fulfilling creative outlet. One night, my friends suggested and insisted after several drinks, that I open up a shop. At first, I dismissed the conversation as bar talk but they insisted, sober even! Long story short, in the Fall of 2003 I organized myself and opened the online shop.



Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
Again, it comes from significant details, pranks and intimate jokes for my friends. For example, the telegram stationary we offer came about because I’d bought a vintage typewriter that I wanted to write letters to my friends with. After experimenting, I realized that I wanted to up the look of the letter and decided to mimic an old telegram. I loved the final product so much, that I decided to add it to 16 Sparrows.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
Oh brothers and sisters, let me tell you about the glory of the guillotine cutter! It officially changed my life and saved me from cutting individual cards by hand. Also, I have a fixation with the swish sound it makes as I cut through paper.



What keeps you motivated?
Protecting myself from a zombie uprising – kidding (kind of)! In all honesty, life motivates me, even though it may sound cliché. A beautiful day, a friendly conversation, a run in with a quirky stranger… The list goes on as far as things that keep my mind moving, invigorated and otherwise inspired.

How did you get the word out about your business when you first started?
Word of mouth. We have never used advertising or paid for any promotions. We have been lucky enough to receive press from people who just happened upon our products and thought they were unique and worth mentioning.

What marketing avenues do you use now?
We have yet to pay for advertising or press, but we do promote through The Sampler and at craft fairs like Renegade.

What is your main goal for the next 6-12 months?
We are in the process of creating paper goods that will benefit several charities and causes we feel strongly about. We are also slowly moving to sustainability by printing our goods with soy inks on recycled paper and expanding upon our custom design press.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
When you first begin, write down why you want to do this and what your goal is and post it on your workspace where you can see it everyday. Starting up and running your own business is hard work and you are going to need the reminder of why you started this in the first place. Also having your goal in front of you will help you to continue on the path to it. Oh, and keeping a frosty beer in the fridge in case of emergencies doesn’t hurt.


What's your favorite quote?
"What strikes me is the fact that in our society, art has become something which is related only to objects and not to individuals, or to life. That art is something which is specialized or which is done by experts who are artists. But couldn't everyone's life become a work of art? Why should the lamp or the house be an art object, but not our life?" - Michel Foucault

Can you recommend a good book or great music?
52 Projects by Jeffrey Yamaguchi. It is a great book for when you are in a creative slump. It has wonderful ideas that motivate and inspire.

Who is your favorite indie designer/artist?
I have way too many, but if I have to narrow it down, I have to say two: one who I’ve admired, Jill Bliss, and one who I have worked with, Stella IM Humberg.

What do you consider a perfect day?
A sunny, breezy day filled with friends and good food.


Thank you Kathy!!