How to send a letter

October 15, 2014October 11, 2014 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Custom letterpress cards printed with my fancy new wood type is now available in the shop! Order script here and brush caps here.

Robin’s Egg

October 13, 2014October 11, 2014 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

You guys… I might have a problem. As I unpack the things I’ve shipped here, I’m noticing a trend…

So it’s only fitting that my first printing for pleasure was a lovely shade of robin’s egg! Hello cards now available in the shop!

Let’s Make a Date

October 11, 2014October 9, 2014 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

I wanted to make something to thank Amy and Jeff for making me a part of their day earlier this summer, and I had been toying around with ways to utilize my set of wood numerals and incorporate more hand lettering for quite some time. The resulting print—featuring the date of their wedding and a cut made from my own handwriting printed in their wedding colors—turned out great and I can’t wait to make them for other couples and even new parents! Get in touch or order them here.

Card Club is back!

October 1, 2014September 30, 2014 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

You guys, MY PRESS STILL ISN’T HERE. I haven’t printed in more than two months! I think I’m starting to show symptoms of withdrawal… The only upside is that without the joy of production to distract me, I’ve been checking things off my business development to do list.

One of those items is bringing back the Card Club! It’s an even better deal this time around: Each month more than $20 worth of stationery, prints, coasters and other goodies will be delivered to your door—for just $10 per month! A membership also makes an awesome gift for anyone who loves letterpress, getting mail or sending letters! Purchase here or get in touch directly here!

Restoring my faith in humanity

September 22, 2014 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

A few months ago, I got an email out of the blue from a woman named Diane who wrote to say she had had a letterpress in the 90’s but sold everything except a few special cuts years ago. She had discovered my blog and loved what I was up to—right down to my paper, which only another artist would notice!

She asked if I wanted the remaining cuts but didn’t mention a price, so I sent her my address and wasn’t sure what would happen. A week later, a box of preciously wrapped vintage printing plates arrived with the loveliest letter.

I’ve printed a few—starfish coasters? Yes, please!—with many more to come once Bess is up and running again. There is something so wonderful about old plates: Their heft, their patina and the crispness of the way they print. I’m so thankful that Diane decided to share them with a perfect stranger/fellow printer!