Hello.

I am Thomas Parry, the founder of Made On The Canal. I live and work aboard my narrowboat Maid Catherine, moored on Birmingham’s Grand Union Canal. Life on the water has its own rhythm—close to nature, shaped by seasons, and filled with a real sense of community. Here, neighbours swap tools, share stories, and look out for one another. It's the perfect home base for a creative life.

My work is all about celebrating the character and charm of the buildings around us—especially the ones that risk being forgotten. It started almost ten years ago, watching the demolition of Birmingham Central Library. That moment made me realise how quickly parts of our shared landscape disappear. I began sketching buildings, turning them into prints, wooden decorations, and keepsakes that bring those places—and their stories—back into people’s homes.

Made On The Canal has grown from commissions of family homes and wedding venues to a full collection of Birmingham-inspired designs. Whether it’s a skyline you grew up with or a hidden gem you walked past every day, I hope my work helps you reconnect with the places that matter—and see your city in a new light.