Goldfinch Blankets

The Goldfinch egg was formed in 2013 when we – friends who share a fascination and passion for textiles, old world craft and modern technology – believed we could hatch something useful and beautiful by combining all three.

With unique talents and vision under our wings, we went to find artisans in Nepal, where making things by hand is still a way of life. This small Himalayan country has ready-access to the softest wool, cashmere and yak and is home to a great body of fine craftspeople. We design our collection in Minneapolis, but our textiles are brought to life by the skilled hands of our Nepali partners.

Our flight is just beginning. Come along.             -Debra Herdman and Caroline Vaaler       (hover on photos for bios)

 

Debra Herdman Debra is an interior and furnishings designer, www.debraherdmandesign.com. Her career has spanned interior design, fashion design, art direction and product design. She's always made things by hand and at age 11 started sewing clothes for herself, friends, relatives and rock bands. From there she experimented with knitting, macrame, tie-dye, block printing, embroidery and painting on fabric. She utilized many of these skills when she founded her first textile company, modern linen industrie--a collection hand-made by her and local artisans in Minneapolis.  Debra likes to remodel houses, build gardens and travel. She's inspired by other cultures, travels to Nepal each year to work with the Goldfinch makers and is currently learning to speak Spanish.                                            

Debra Herdman

Debra is an interior and furnishings designer, www.debraherdmandesign.com. Her career has spanned interior design, fashion design, art direction and product design. She's always made things by hand and at age 11 started sewing clothes for herself, friends, relatives and rock bands. From there she experimented with knitting, macrame, tie-dye, block printing, embroidery and painting on fabric. She utilized many of these skills when she founded her first textile company, modern linen industrie--a collection hand-made by her and local artisans in Minneapolis. 

Debra likes to remodel houses, build gardens and travel. She's inspired by other cultures, travels to Nepal each year to work with the Goldfinch makers and is currently learning to speak Spanish.
                                           

Caroline Andrea Vaaler Caroline has been with Andrea Home since 2010 representing luxury linens and pillows in Minnesota. Prior to that, Caroline was co-principal/designer of Three Fish Design for 20+ years. Three Fish specialized in print communications for corporations and arts organizations as well as designed and produced a successful line of note cards. She was born into a family of creative entrepreneurs and as a kid loved decorating Barbie houses and drawing dream-home floor plans. Caroline loves good design, grand ideas, lots of color, creative collaboration, working with her hands, fabric, paper, music, dancing, running and biking in the great outdoors, family and friends and cozy warm beautiful throws, of course!  

Caroline Andrea Vaaler

Caroline has been with Andrea Home since 2010 representing luxury linens and pillows in Minnesota. Prior to that, Caroline was co-principal/designer of Three Fish Design for 20+ years. Three Fish specialized in print communications for corporations and arts organizations as well as designed and produced a successful line of note cards.

She was born into a family of creative entrepreneurs and as a kid loved decorating Barbie houses and drawing dream-home floor plans.

Caroline loves good design, grand ideas, lots of color, creative collaboration, working with her hands, fabric, paper, music, dancing, running and biking in the great outdoors, family and friends and cozy warm beautiful throws, of course!