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!

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!

Coaster Roller

September 10, 2014September 18, 2014 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

My favorite new items from the last year are my coasters! The first were save the dates for this wedding, and since the minimum order of coaster blanks was 1,000 I started playing around with existing designs and wood type. Some of my faves were the drink coasters below, currently out of stock because I pared down for the move, but I’ll print some more soon!

The coasters have been so popular, I’ve since ordered a couple thousand more blanks. The first design I drew specifically for a coaster was this citrus design. I love to have a variety pack on hand for summer entertaining and I think a large quantity of single-color coasters would truly be great as part of a baby or wedding shower theme! They’re available here.

Game day coasters are also awesome—the ones below are exclusively available at Driftless Studio in Madison, WI.

And finally, most recently things came full circle for another save the date for a couple in Australia. Get in touch if you need custom coasters of your own!

S is for Seahorse

February 4, 2013 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

I just had an epiphany: not everyone likes typography as much as I do! For those of you who enjoy pictures more than words, I’ve been working on stationery sets featuring animals and inanimate objects. Available so far: Wisconsin, pineapple, bee, butterfly and seahorse. Leave a comment on this post or vote here to add your favorite!