Author: Bess Paper Goods & Gifts

Ecofont

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

I know everyone from news organizations to design bloggers have been raving about this, but I thought I’d join the chorus: Have you downloaded ecofont?

Basically, the designers reduced up to 20% of the black area of each letterform by creating small holes in the center of each stroke, undetectable at normal text sizes, thereby reducing the amount of ink used when printing the text. The typeface is based on Verdana (which is actually a little silly because Verdana was really designed for viewing on screen, not in print, but I won’t go there), an exceedingly common and simple typeface.

Even more impressive, SPRANQ (the company that created ecofont) hopes that the spread of ecofont will inspire environmentally-conscious practices throughout the business and design world. Specifically:

• End-users: print only when necessary, use a modern, efficient printer and use unbleached paper.
• Graphic designers: use modern color separation techniques to avoid unnecessary wastage in ink. In paper choice, take the environment into account.
• (Offset) printers: avoid modern laser techniques that make ink indivisible from the paper. Keep an eye on innovations, such as plant-based ink.
• Printer manufacturers: invest in environment-conscious innovation.

Kudos to SPRANQ for the genious invention and ideals for all of us to keep in mind. Now, don’t you dare print this blog post!

Farm wedding invitations

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 4 Comments

Because we’re living in a teeny apartment for the summer while we house shop, my press has not yet joined me in Iowa City. By and large, I’m not taking on any more custom orders until things settle down and I know what state my studio and free time are in. I finished up the last few orders for wedding invitations the Friday before we moved, and hopefully the next time I head to Wisconsin, I’ll be able to take care of several of my own projects that have languished for weeks (a happy birthday card, finally!).

greeninvite_1

This is one set of the invites I just finished, made for a beautifully rustic late summer wedding. She wanted a big ol’ tree to reflect the setting, he wanted some elements of birds, and viola! The lovely kelly green (so on trend!) is courtesy of the couple as well, they sent me a ribbon that matches the bridesmaids’ dresses.

greeninvite_2

We’re back!

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

As some of you were aware, until mid-April I worked full time at a local women’s magazine called brava (website is now a little outdated). It ceased operations and left about a dozen wonderfully creative people without jobs. Half of that group stuck together to try to figure out a way to work together to get brava back into production. I finally have good, no, great news to report: brava is back! Here’s the official press release:

BRAVA MAGAZINE AND MADISON WOMEN’S EXPO ANNOUNCE RELAUNCH
Brava magazine confirms release date of August 1, 2009

Madison, Wis. — June 4, 2009 — Brava magazine, the monthly lifestyle publication dedicated to celebrating the lives of women in south central Wisconsin, announces it will re-launch the popular magazine on August 1, 2009.

Erickson Publishing, LLC, former publisher of brava magazine, its sister publication the annual encore edition and producer of the Madison Women’s Expo suspended operations in April.  The fate of the products was unknown. Kristin Erickson, owner of Erickson Publishing, LLC, is happy to have sold the business to a core group of former employees. “I am so proud of the impact brava made to our readers, our advertisers and the community as a whole,” Erickson says.  “It was extremely hard to suspend publication, and I am absolutely thrilled that this team of talented professionals will continue to take the products to new exciting levels. I am delighted to pass the baton to Laura Houlihan.”  Erickson will also remain working with the team as a consultant.

“The team is assembled and has been working behind the scenes for weeks in the hopes the purchase would go through,” says Houlihan, the newly named publisher of the magazine. Houlihan brings to the table her past experience running Skirt Magazine in Jacksonville, Fla., as well as her sales experience at brava. “The outpouring of support from our readership and advertisers has been amazing. We couldn’t let it die,” says Houlihan. “It’s like having our family back together.”

The Madison Women’s Expo, a yearly event produced by brava and held the weekend before Thanksgiving will also return for its 11th year. Marketing and Events Director, Michelle Page-Alswager, will remain at the helm.  “What can I say?  Women look forward to this event and exhibitors love the results they get from the thousands of attendees visiting them.   It’s the perfect tie in — the premier women’s magazine in south central Wisconsin, and the best Women’s Expo, I’m lucky to be part of both,” states Page-Alswager.

More information to follow.

For more information, contact Michelle Page-Alswager at (608) 235-3857 or Laura Houlihan at 608-609-9149 or holdthathought@gmail.com.

As always, you can follow our progress at our interim blog, hold that thought, although I can’t make any promises for regular updates since we’ll be working so hard to get this magazine launched. Feel free to leave any comments here or there as to what you’d like to see in brava as it moves forward.

Shop Local: Iowa City

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

iowa_aptWell kids, it’s official. I live in Iowa (new apartment above — painting, ceramics and blanket handmade by me, my mom made the pillow). If you’re like 99% of the people to whom I’ve announced my move, you’re picturing a corn field right now. However, if you’re one of the select few in the know, you’re just a little bit jealous. Iowa City is a great little city that boasts a thriving art scene (in fact, the Arts Festival is this weekend), lots of good restaurants and unique shopping to boot. Of course, you do have to drive through a lot of corn fields to get here.

To celebrate the move, I thought I’d feature some of the many talented artists and craftspeople who are now my neighbors!

The In Touch Clutch ™ by Downstairs Designs is a unique fabric carryall designed to travel with you and keep anything it holds safe and sound. (Letterpress notecards perhaps?)

Dawn Frary of Dewey Street Photo Company not only has the ability to capture the spirit of a place in a photo, she also has a very unique style that adds a sort of magic to her subjects.

4th Ave. Soap Shop offers some of the most intricate soaps I’ve ever seen. Sure to please your nose and hands as well as your eyes, she describes her work as “too pretty not to use!”

Audience Participation Required

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 4 Comments

Just in time for graduation, I’ve finished several note cards in my typography series. The first is just a simple congratulations, but the texture of the vintage lead type really makes an impact with such a simple design. And I love the unique shape — perfect for checks. Not socks, not monogrammed towels, checks!

The next is the first of many note cards I plan to make of famous quotes and sage advice. I did a project about Helen Keller in college and have had this quote stuck in my head ever since — I’m glad I can finally put it to good use!

I have several phrases in mind, but I’d like your help to come up with more! Simply leave a comment below, making sure to include your email address in the designated space, and if I decide to use your quote, I’ll send you a couple cards free! Do not recommend copyrighted material (song lyrics, poems, etc.). If it’s a quote, please include who said it. Feel free to comment as many times as you’d like — can’t wait to see what you come up with!