Phil Hebb from New Brunswick is a retiree who has discovered a rewarding hobby after retiring: woodworking. About four years ago, he started making beautiful birdhouses to fill his free time. A local community member requested his first birdhouse. That simple request grew into “Phil’s Unique Birdhouses,” which now includes over 20 different designs. His creations range from the original “who-house” to detailed guitars and fiddles inspired by his musical group, “Maple Sugar.”
The birdhouses are unique because of their bright, colourful roofs. His daughter, Kellie, often paints these roofs, and his wife, Sylvia, adds flowers to them. The birdhouses have irregular shapes, which gives them a fun look. Sylvia remembers spending a day painting the rainbow roofs with a friend. She enjoys seeing customers at local markets react positively, often describing the birdhouses as “whimsical.”
Phil handled every part of the process. He designed and cut the wood, then added the finishing touches. He looked up the most common hole size for birdhouses in his area to make sure his designs worked for local birds. Some houses had smaller holes to let swallows in, which helped keep other birds from taking over and laying their eggs.
These birdhouses have sold across the Maritimes, Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and the U.S. Many customers are happy and have seen birds using their new houses, and Phil often tells people who have trouble attracting birds that, just like people, birds like to have their homes in good locations.
Phil did not plan to start a business when he began making birdhouses. For him, it was a calming and fulfilling hobby. He enjoys working in his workshop, where he can focus solely on his craft. This brings him an escape from everyday worries. Phil loves the time he spends creating, and Sylvia sees that he is happiest when he is working on his projects.
Phil’s birdhouses are made for both birds and people. They bring joy to their owners and hope to add beauty to nature. Phil wants each birdhouse to inspire a moment of peace for those who have them.
Source: CTV News
