Thank You Notes

thanks_9921As New Year’s approaches, I find myself reflecting on the year that’s passed. As I send out Christmas cards, I take the opportunity to tell friends and family what they mean to me, usually thanking them for various kindnesses throughout the year. This year I thought I’d do the same for my business. As I grow and put more of myself into 622 press/studio I find that the businesses and clients helping me realize this dream mean even more to me. Don’t worry, I’ll be sending cards, but I also thought I’d share here!

Iconi Interiors: About a million years ago, when I had absolutely no idea what I was doing business-wise, the owner of a gorgeous home interiors shop I truly admired took a chance on my work. I wrote about how absolutely floored I was at the time, but looking back, I realize her buy gave me the confidence to pursue all my other wholesale clients, which has become a huge portion of my business.

Driftless Studio: I’ve written about her a lot over the years, because the shop has been instrumental to the growth of 622 press. Not only does Driftless sell the most product of all my wholesalers, owner Anne is an amazing collaborator, never hesitant to share what she thinks will sell best, offering ideas and commissioning projects she truly believes in. And she’s always willing to let me peek behind the scenes of her business, which will quite possibly help me for years to come. As a creative running a successful retail shop, she has become a shining example of what I hope to someday grow up to be!

When Pigs Fly: This shop is owned by my friend’s mom, so it took me a long time to approach her about wholesale, but I’m so glad I did! Kim is always up for trying out new product and I love that! It’s been so important, especially in this year of growth. She’s currently the only retailer carrying my paper flowers!

Lark & Woods Grove: Both of these fabulous stores approached me out of the blue to carry 622 press goods. Just the fact that they were sold on the product alone has been a huge confidence booster this year!

Brain Mill Press: The projects Brain Mill Press sends my way make me feel so incredibly lucky to be able to spend my days doing what I love. With this second commission of art prints, I feel like a part of the BMP family: looking forward to our continued success and collaborations!

Card Club subscribers: Even though it’s a one-way relationship, I feel connected to the women I send cards to every month. I love thinking about what their stationery needs might be for the month, what pieces would round out their collection. Plus they help me keep my inventory in check, and for that I’m very grateful!

There are many more wedding and freelance clients that have really made a difference this year, and if you’re reading this you know who you are :) Thanks for an amazing 2015, here’s to another successful year!

Time to Step Up Your Stationery Game

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Guys, I hate to be the one to break it you, but there’s a pair of newborns out in the world totally showing you up in the stationery department. Several months ago, their mama-to-be got in touch about a custom order so she’d have plenty of paper for thank you notes before the babes were born. We chatted about options, I created a few designs… and then the communication stopped. One guess what she was busy doing!

We finalized the design a few weeks later and I printed these beauties in pink and blue ink with a blind emboss ampersand. Paired with snow white envelopes, they are as perfect as those new babies!

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Love Poetry Broadsides for Brain Mill Press

Now that the Etsy shop is closed up, I’m excited to share some of the commissions I’ve been working on! Truth be told, this project has consumed so much brain power over the last few months that I thought I’d already written about the first edition, but it turns out I haven’t, so here goes!

You all remember the limited edition of sweet little blind emboss prints I created for Brain Mill Press earlier this year, right? (If not, guess what? There’s a link right up there ^ ) Brain Mill Press is an independent publishing house in Wisconsin, started just a few years ago by two incredible women. They publish prose and poetry that offers an authentic view on the human experience—especially love. Please don’t let your mind go to tacky romance novels, though, these are incredible works by accomplished and novice writers alike.

Each publication is printed first in a fine art first edition, which comes with a special gift for the first 100 pre-orders. For a series of four poetry chapbooks, that special gift is a broadside designed and printed by yours truly!

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Each print features a commissioned illustration by Ann O’Connell and an excerpt from a poem hand-set in lead type. By some luck or fate, I just happened to have a font of lead type that is very similar to a typeface they were already using on their website! The drawer was fairly well stocked—meaning I have a lot of letters—but the poems were longer than I expected, so I ended up having to print each one in several sections as I ran out of certain characters, which was a bit of a challenge.

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Tanka, Seaborgium and The Presentation are finished and delivered, and I have one more to print in early January! I just love how they’ve turned out so far, I roughed up a digital design before I began each one, but nothing compares to the letterpress printed project: The paper is so luxe, the type has a great bite… they’re lovely. In fact, I’m considering hanging an extra Artist’s Proof (the not-quite-perfect prints that didn’t make it into the edition) of all four in our guest bedroom!

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I will be finished with this project in about a month, so if you’re interested in commissioning something similar, please get in touch!

Closing up Shop

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The end is near! Today is the very last day to order anything from my etsy shop until after Christmas. By tomorrow evening I’ll be in Wisconsin! I’m so excited to see friends and family and am very much looking forward to a break from the small-business-owner hustle.

I’m so grateful to have been so busy this last month as I always struggle this time of year. I think it simply comes down to seeing less sunlight, but aside from the holidays, November-March are just not my favorite. One evening last week I decided I needed something to re-energize me, so I bought myself a little present: A bundle of a dozen or so fonts and hundreds of decorative elements and illustrations!

I’m so excited about my new toy and actually stayed up late last Friday night working on some new designs (I know, I’m pretty cool). So stay tuned for lots of new digital downloads in the shop soon—including this one, available here—which actually are available while I’m away!

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Gift Guide 2015: Dudes

Men! So hard to shop for, right? How many years in a row is too many when it comes to Gander Mountain/REI/Home Depot gift certificates? Never fear—whether it’s your boyfriend, best friend, brother or dad, I’ve got you covered this year!

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Dudes are the worst because they rarely lust after objects like women… and when they really want something, they just go buy it. But you know what dudes need but never buy? Art! The numerals print above is perfect for his office—especially if he’s a numbers guy… your accountants, actuaries, general nerds.

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Not so math-oriented? If there’s one thing all men love, it’s beer! This print was made by hand using antique wooden type on my antique printing press. Lots of antique things—hipsters and old souls alike love that shit. Round out your offering with these coasters and voila! A gift made in man cave heaven.

If you’re feeling super fancy, get in touch in the next week or so to commission a set of personalized coasters just for him! Pick a favorite color and I’ll print his name above “BEER goes here”! I can even print them with “scotch” or another favorite cocktail. Last day to order is December 9!

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And finally, if your fella is a fashionista (or you just wish he was), here’s a collection that’s sure to please. First up: that skinny tie. Zuzu Wear is a husband and wife team handmaking ties in tons of fun fabrics and colors. Personally, I’m a fan of these floral numbers, but they offer some more traditional striped options as well.

While we’re on the subject of neckwear, I love a dude in a scarf. There’s nothing more manly than admitting it’s f*$#ing cold outside so let’s all bundle up, amiright? This hand-crocheted number will keep him cozy while not being overly full (read: girly).

In my opinion, no stylish person is complete without bespoke stationery. I made this set for my own mister with a lead typeface that’s friendly while remaining quite simple. Order your own set here!

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