Sophie James earns £1,200 by letting her pigeons walk on canvases with painted feet, selling the abstract art on Vinted.
Sophie James, a 21-year-old adult support worker from Ellesmere, Shropshire, has found an unusual and profitable side hustle : selling art created by her pet pigeons.
Inspired by a friend who made money from rat paintings, James decided to try the same with her flock of racing pigeons. She paints the feet of her birds-Blizzard, Brock, Pip, and Seagall-and lets them walk across mini canvases, creating abstract patterns. Starting in March 2025 on Vinted, she initially priced the pieces at £6 but quickly raised it to £8 each due to demand. Now she sells about five pieces per week and has earned approximately £1,200 in total.
While some of the money goes into savings, James admits most of it is reinvested into her pigeons, covering costs like food and race entry fees. James, who grew up around racing pigeons, explains that she starts training the birds when they are very young, so they become accustomed to the process. Brock, for example, began his artistic career at just 20 days old. The painting sessions happen anywhere in her home where she can set up the materials.
She selects a pigeon for the day, holds them gently, applies paint to their feet, and then places them on the canvas to walk around. She often rotates colors to keep the artworks varied. Her family and friends have been supportive and curious about the venture, often asking for updates. James notes that the birds seem to enjoy the activity, and it has created a deeper bond between them.
The response from buyers has been overwhelmingly positive. James receives messages from customers who love the paintings and order multiple pieces, sometimes as surprises for others. She posts the artworks on Vinted, and they typically sell within a day. She spaces out her listings to maintain steady sales.
The pigeons involved include four different breeds: grizzle, check pied, blue bar, and mealy. James plans to continue the side hustle indefinitely, curious to see how long the trend lasts and how it evolves. Overall, her innovative approach has turned a simple hobby into a small business, blending her love for animals with creativity and entrepreneurship
Pigeon Art Side Hustle Pet Painting Vinted Sales Abstract Art
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Millionaire Father Cuts Off Daughter to Teach Value of Money; She Earns Thousands on VintedA 13-year-old girl, cut off financially by her millionaire father, learned the value of money by selling clothes on Vinted, earning over £1,200. Her father, Mindy Paul, believes it's irresponsible not to teach children financial independence.
Read more »
Shoppers Say This Amazon Best-Selling Eye Cream Makes It Look Like They Got a FaceliftSmooth fine lines and wrinkles with the TikTok viral goPure Instant Lift Eye Gel. Here's why customers say this Amazon find works so well.
Read more »
Millionaire Father's Financial Lesson: Teen Earns Thousands on Vinted After Being 'Cut Off'A wealth expert father stopped giving his teens spending money to teach financial responsibility. His 13-year-old daughter now earns over £1,200 reselling clothes on Vinted, while her brother saves for a gaming PC. The father stresses that learning to generate income early is a crucial life skill.
Read more »
Mindelle Makes History as First Woman Nominated for Producing, Writing, and Performing in Same ShowMindelle, the star of the Broadway show 'A New Musical: Celine Dion,' is making history as the first woman to be nominated for producing, writing, and performing in the same show. In an exclusive interview, she opens up about her journey, from struggling with imposter syndrome to finding freedom and confidence as a performer.
Read more »