Modern Bird Sells Modern, Simple, Sentimental Jewelry

With a history in retail already under her belt, Chestnut Hill resident Laura Flavin decided to take her passion of jewelry-making and turn it into the newest boutique on Germantown Avenue.

Modern Bird Jewelry, at 7904 Germantown Avenue, is not only where Flavin sells her creations, but also where she makes them. With a small studio in the back, Flavin is considering teaching jewelry-making classes. For now, though, she spends her time talking to customers and creating her inventory.

“When I first opened, we were really busy. People in the neighborhood were very welcoming,” Flavin said of her May opening. “It’s been slow the last month or so, but it gives me time to acclimate to being here and build my inventory.”

Flavin said the space on Germantown Avenue wasn’t something she found, but that the shop found her.

“I didn’t anticipate opening a business, but the space opened up and it all came together,” Flavin said. “It’s been more of an exciting challenge than an overwhelming one.”

Her store is lined with cases of beaded necklaces, and there are two display cases standing in the middle of the store, each with unique pieces that showcase her abilities to create small bird, elephants, flowers and other designs out of metal.

The pieces range in price, but Flavin’s style is apparent in all of them.

“I like to make things that make people feel beautiful,” Flavin said. “It’s a modern, simple aesthetic and it’s sentimental, little reminders of things that are important to the wearer.”

While maintaining the storein Chestnut Hill, she continues to satisfy customers from all over through her Etsy shop and her website. Flavin is also planning on carrying lines from other jewelry-makers in the future, but for now, the store contains mostly her items and a few vintage pieces sprinkled throughout.

To see more of Flavin's designs, visit her website here.