The Story Behind Eric & Eloise: Artist Jessica Hiemstra’s Whimsical World

The Story Behind Eric & Eloise: Where Art, Nature & Imagination Meet

If you've seen the Eric & Eloise (E+E) collection in our shop, you’ve likely been drawn in by their whimsical faces, warm antique, gold finishes, and storytelling presence. But behind every hare, fox, stag, duck, mouse, and bear is a world created by Canadian artist, writer, and designer Jessica Hiemstra, a world inspired by childhood, by folktales, and by the belief that animals, friendship, and art can make our homes kinder places.

From Forests & Folktales to Page & Product

The origin story goes back to Jessica’s own memories growing up in the forests of Canada, where winters were long, snow softened edges, and the presence of animals felt close and comforting. She has said that the landscape of her youth, hares running at dusk, foxes slipping through snow was foundational to the world she has built with Eric & Eloise.

Inspired also by the folktales of Scandinavia, Jessica wrote a little story about an “unlikely friendship” between a hare (Eric) and a fox (Eloise). That story became a handmade storybook, printed on Nepali Lokta paper, illustrated by Jessica herself. The telling is gentle, full of quiet wonder: winter nights, moonlight, stars, the small magic of acts of kindness. It’s the kind of tale that stays with you.

The Birth of the Framily

When Jessica created Eric and Eloise, she didn’t want them alone. She imagined a framily, a group of animal characters all different, all with quirks, who might gather, share, laugh, even differ. Characters like Frankie the Stag with his pipe, Eugene the Moose with his monocle, Louie the bow, tied mouse, Beatrice the Bear, Charlie the Duck, Margie the Doe, etc. These companions expanded the world of the original story into something richer, more playful, more full of possibility.

To Jessica, it isn’t just decoration. It’s imagining a more compassionate world—one where friendship across differences is possible, one where animals become reflections of human stories: bravery, gentleness, humor. She has said she hopes that her customers will see themselves or someone they love in these characters.

From Storybook to Home Décor

After writing the story, Jessica teamed up with Accent Decor and artisans around the world to bring Eric & Eloise off the page and into three, dimensional form. Master mold, makers in China, paper makers in Nepal, and designers in North America all played a part.

The products span wall mounts, busts, dishstands, planter pots, stocking holders, bowls, and more. Each piece retains that signature look and feel: recycled or cast aluminum (often), antique gold or bronze finishes, details like glasses, mustaches, bows, hats, antlers that hint at personality. They aren’t just décor, they’re characters. And that makes them resonate.

Why We Love Eric & Eloise (and We Think You Will Too)

• Storytelling built in: You’re not just buying an animal wall mount or planter; you’re investing in character, backstory, whimsy.
• Quality & craftsmanship: The finishes, the casting, the attention to detail, each product feels like it could be passed down.
• Design with meaning: Each character has traits. The fox is clever, the hare determined, the stag regal, the mouse friendly. You place them around your home and they become parts of your décor story.
• Versatility & collectibility: Because the designs are varied in scale, you can mix & match. A full “framily” wall tells a story; a single bust makes a statement.

How to Bring the Framily Into Your Home

Here are some ideas:

• Start with one character you connect with (maybe because of the story or the look) and then build your framily, add more over time.
• Use them in groupings of mixed scale: mount, bust, dishstand, planter, for visual interest.
• Let the seasonal decor lean in: florals, greenery, holiday stockings, scattered pinecones, these pieces play nicely with other textures.
• Gift with story in mind: These make wonderful housewarming or holiday gifts because they are decorative and meaningful.