Why are we called "Mr & Mrs Panda" anyway? Where do we get our inspirations from? And did we learn anything about art? You can find the answers to these and other frequently asked questions in this blog.

Did you study art, Mrs. Panda?

No, unfortunately not. Instead, I was lucky enough to turn my hobby into my profession. I am a trained curative education nurse. In this job, you work with people with disabilities and mental health challenges. It was always my dream job. I love it when people can be themselves, free from performance pressure and the urge to be better. You just are who you are. You are genuine. I have always cherished that aspect of social work.

When I met Mr. Panda, I had a drawing in my apartment by Lake Constance—an illustration of birds sitting on a piece of cheese. Mr. Panda thought the picture was lovely and asked where I had bought the art print. Since he loved the drawing and had a birthday coming up soon, I sketched some bumblebees and had them printed on magnets. That was my first gift to him. He said that if it could make him happy, it might also bring a smile to many others.

The idea was born, and with it came the plan to simply take a risk. In 2013, we spent long days outdoors on a meadow, surrounded by leaves full of sketches, and long nights fueled by plenty of coffee, planning how to provide people with little bursts of joy for everyday life.

In 2014, we launched our first Dawanda shop "panda_love", where we sell wall clocks in animal shapes. I drew all of the silhouettes. We then cut them out of bamboo wood and fitted them with a whisper-quiet clock mechanism. And just like that, the perfect wall clock for a children's room was born.

After a year, I had so many ideas that drawing silhouettes was not enough anymore—I wanted to paint in color. The motifs were to be bright and cheerful. So a new idea had to emerge. That’s how our first colorful design came about—our Bunny & our little Hedgehog.

We love animals. It was clear to us that we identify best with an animal. Pandas love to eat. They are happy to be lazy and to relax. They are playful and love cuddling. And what animal could describe us better?! :)

Our workshop is in Hannover - Ricklingen. There, we create all our products to order. This means that we don’t actually hold stock; every single item—from a wall clock, to a doormat, to our cushions, mugs, and even pencil cases—is made especially for each customer. Our busy pandas work almost every day. From the time an order is placed until shipment, it takes between 24 to 48 hours, depending on how extensive the order is.

We both love nature. And we love animals. Yes, we also live without animal products. This conviction did not start with "Mr. & Mrs. Panda" but 15 years earlier. This belief—and the idea of protecting the environment—is reflected in our designs. Our inspiration is flora and fauna. The countless plants and the breathtaking world of animals are what make our world. Old flower books from flea markets are a great source of inspiration for our next creation.

I also have a passion for insects. We have many old books about them, and eventually I used them as inspiration to design our little creatures like the Moth.

When the weather is dry and warm, I love to draw in our garden or out in a meadow. It feels amazing to lie outside, watch little insects in the grass, and sketch them. Those moments are very special to me. Of course, we also have a small studio in our Panda workshop where I draw. However, I rarely find the quiet needed to get into a creative flow, as there’s always something going on. That’s why I have a separate studio in our half-timbered house where I draw in the evenings and on weekends.