When people think of Metalbird, they picture the birds. The silhouette in the backyard. The patina catching the light. The moment of pause when someone spots it from the kitchen window.
What they don’t usually picture is the people behind the birds. The ones running the laser cutters. Packing the boxes. Driving the trucks. Keeping the lights on in small local workshops, not giant factories halfway across the world.
That’s the part of Metalbird we don’t talk about enough. So today, we’re doing just that.
Local Means Local
We don’t make our birds in one massive warehouse with conveyor belts and corporate lanyards. We make them close to where you are.
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In New Zealand and Australia, we cut our birds from NZ and Aussie steel, using local cutters and packers.
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In the US, our birds are cut from American steel, shipped from within the States.
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In the UK and Europe, we do the same... sourcing locally and keeping the process regional.
It’s not just about carbon footprints (though that matters). It’s about keeping the craft close to home.
Why We Do It This Way
We could outsource the whole thing. Cut costs, scale up, lose the soul.
But we don’t.
Because when you keep production local, you’re not just making birds... you’re making jobs, supporting communities, and building something that lasts.
It’s slower. It’s messier. Sometimes it means chasing down local suppliers when steel’s in short supply.
But it’s worth it.
Meet the Makers: Local Voices
We asked a few of our local partners why they’re part of the Metalbird story.
Here’s what they had to say.
Dave – Laser Cutter, Tauranga, NZ
"I’ve been cutting Metalbirds for years now. My favourite’s the Tūī. I’ve got one at home, actually... it’s patinaed in just right. I like that these birds end up in someone’s garden, not sitting in a warehouse."
Lisa – Packing Crew, Brisbane, AUS
"We don’t just throw these in a box. Every bird gets packed like it’s going to a mate. I love knowing that someone will open this, smile, and remember who gave it to them."
Marcus – Fulfilment, Ohio, USA
"I like the Hummingbird best. We cut them right here, ship them out ourselves. It’s cool knowing this is local work that lands all over the States. Feels personal."
Amelia – Partner Workshop, UK
"My grandad was a blacksmith, so I’ve always liked working with steel. The Robin’s my favourite... it’s a bit of a national bird for us here. Every time I cut one, I think about it landing in someone’s garden, maybe as a memorial or a gift."
It’s About More Than Birds
For us, Metalbird is about connection. Connection to place. To people. To memory. To moments. That connection starts in the workshop, not just in the backyard.
When you buy a Metalbird, you’re backing:
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Small businesses
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Local jobs
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Craft, not mass production
You’re saying, "I want something made with hands, not just machines."
Why Our Partners Back the Mission
The people who cut, pack, and ship our birds aren’t just ticking boxes. They believe in the project.
Because they’ve seen:
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The memorial stories
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The wedding gifts
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The retirement tributes
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The simple acts of joy when someone gets a bird for no reason at all
They’re part of a chain of meaning, not just manufacturing.
Small-Scale, Big Impact
Keeping things local isn’t always the easiest way.
But it’s the right way for us.
It means we can:
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Respond quickly when someone needs a custom piece
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Keep quality high
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Stay in touch with the people actually doing the work
And it means that every bird has a story behind it... not just the one you create when you install it, but the one that started in the workshop just down the road.
Patina With Care
Our birds are made from Corten steel because we love the way it patinas.
Here’s something people don’t always know:
Every silhouette starts out clean. Sharp edges. Fresh cut.
Then time and weather do their work.
The bird forms a protective patina that seals and protects it, creating surface rust that saves the metal underneath.
By the time it’s settled into your garden, it’s softened into the landscape... a finish that evolves with the seasons but never falls apart.
That process starts locally. In workshops that know what they’re doing, with people who care about the craft.
Why This Matters
In a world of drop-shipping and faceless production, Metalbird is different.
We know where our steel comes from. We know who cuts it. We know who packs it.
And we like it that way.
Because when you’re making art that’s meant to last, it should start with relationships that last too.
Want to Support Local Craft?
When you buy a Metalbird, you’re not just buying a bird... you’re joining a community project that spans backyards, workshops, and countries.
Find your bird here.
Made close to home. Sent with care. Installed with love.
Suggested Image:
A collage of local workshops: someone cutting steel in New Zealand, packing orders in Australia, preparing shipments in the US, cutting a Robin in the UK. Real faces, real places... no stock photo gloss.