New Retailer: Apartment 528

April 27, 2016April 23, 2016 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

April has really been one for the record books on the wholesale front—I have another new retailer to announce! I don’t mean to be all #blessed, but I totally am!

Apartment_528_987x1500

Chicago’s Apartment 528 was opened in 2009 with one goal in mind: To rescue boring apartments (and homes!) with a unique mix of colorful handmade product and vintage furniture. Owner India Shannon has such an amazing eye for curating products that make a big impact and could change your space all on their own, but play nice with everything in the shop, so you could also do a full redesign!

hello_5416

Naturally, she gravitated toward my brightly colored cards featuring large scale vintage wood type! She also got the last of a few designs, like “YOU’RE AWESOME” below!

youreawesome_6340

apt528 yellow_circles_0475

The most exciting part about her order is that Apartment 528 is the first retailer to also carry my embroidery hoops! Chicagoans can check out a good selection of my abstract pieces and the original cactus hoop, along with a few new ones! The online shop is now looking a little sparse in the embroidery department (I’m working on it!), but get in touch and I’ll make something just for you!

cactus_hoops_2362

Pink Starfish Personal Stationery

April 22, 2016April 17, 2016 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

VJC_1576

A few months ago, a friend got in touch about a birthday present for his wife. She’s a list-maker like me, so he thought it would be cool to create personalized list-sized paper as well as stationery. She adores pink and starfish, so I immediately knew one of the vintage cuts Diane sent to me years ago would be perfect in a custom pink ink! We decided to add her initials in a brighter fuchsia and create two different designs that worked perfectly together. I love how the set turned out, and so did she!

VJC_1577

Tinder Love Stories

April 15, 2016April 5, 2016 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

I love the small glimpses my work gives me into my customers’ lives—whether they’re the guy who opened an etsy account just to buy a handmade “I’m sorry” card, stocking up on congratulations cards because this is the summer all their friends are getting married, or creating custom invitations for one of the biggest days of their lives, every order reminds me of the small acts of kindness that are so prevalent, yet often overlooked, in this world.

My “So glad you swiped right” cards have definitely yielded the best stories. Recently I had the most moving order from a man in Brazil, who asked if I could write his message (which was in Portuguese) in the card and send it halfway around the world. Naturally I obliged… and then snooped to see what he had written (thank you Google Translate!). Turns out, I had just transcribed one of the sweetest love notes I’ve ever read!

Another customer shared the way she and her boyfriend met after purchasing the card. In her own words:
“Robert and I met on Tinder almost 2 years ago! I had been on Tinder for a couple of months before matching with him, and had never actually had anything come out of it besides a few almost date-worthy conversations. When we matched, I almost didn’t believe he was real because of how inconsistent his pictures were (some with a beard, some with a mustache, short hair, long hair, etc.)…but decided to still swipe right, because what are the odds I was actually going to date one of these people?

“After a day of talking, I immediately realized he was different than any of the other guys I was talking to, mainly because he didn’t ask me right away to get drinks or meet up. So, about a week after we started talking, I took a risk asked him out on a date! I wanted to meet at a super public space for our first date because I was terrified to meet someone off the internet, let alone Tinder (hello catfish!), so we met at a bar in Chicago for dinner. After a 6 hour dinner, we finally decided our first date should end…only to have our second date the next day. Two years and endless amounts of dates later, we both couldn’t be happier that we made the somewhat shallow decision to be on Tinder way back when :)”

And here’s a photo of the couple because they’re adorable. Share your Tinder love story below!

New Retailer: Laurel Grove

April 13, 2016April 14, 2016 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

One of my main goals for 2016 is to expand the network of stores that sell 622 press goods. I’ve been working hard at this one—emailing my catalog to dozens of stores over the last few months, and sending samples to as many as I can. (Know a local shop that would be a good fit for 622 press? Get in touch!) However, the most recent addition to the 622 family fell right into my metaphorical lap!

LG_4

Laurel Grove is an adorable boutique in Sudbury, Mass. that grew out of the owner’s part-time vintage business. She was in a similar situation to mine two years ago: Working full time at a job that she loved, but also pursuing her own business on nights and weekends… plus she had a two year old. Eventually, the stars aligned and with the perfect space, business partner and her husband’s support, Laurel Grove was born!

LG_2

The shop carries a mix of vintage and handmade and select new home decor and jewelry. Kim’s goal is really to showcase artisans whose stuff she loves. She says, “I do try to stay mostly local to New England, but every once in a while if someone catches my eye (like you did) and I just love the product I’ll reach out.” The store also offers customization and furniture refinishing.

Kim picked out an awesome collection of cards that includes some of my very favorites, and got the last of a few designs, like our wood type “good luck” card and select colors of “best day ever!” Laurel Grove is also the first to carry my new calligraphy inspired “oh happy day” and “mr and mrs” cards! And, she picked up a great selection of Mother’s and Father’s Day cards, so pop in soon to grab those while they last!

Letterpress Card Sale!

April 10, 2016April 1, 2016 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

You guys, I’m so excited. I finally took the plunge and switched from the magnesium and wood plates I’ve used for years to photopolymer plates from one of the biggest producers in the U.S. I say “finally” because it’s been a long time coming—not only have the quality and customer service declined at my old platemaker, but I’m looking forward to better print quality and registration as well with this new system. For a few years now, I’ve watched what other printers can do with photopolymer with amazement, and I’m so excited to be part of the club! And the icing on the cake? Shipping and production costs are a bit less, so I won’t have to raise my prices again right away this year. Win-win-win!

COTM_515_6531

I created a handful of new designs to learn the new system with, and I’m planning for a big order of new work this summer, so to make room for all these new designs, I’m trying to clear out a few older ones. I’ve moved a ton of merchandise to the SALE SECTION in my shop, so make sure to go check it out! I won’t be reprinting any of those designs soon, so if there’s one you love, make sure to stock up!

card-club-4