Bess and I met eight years ago today! If you’ve never heard the full story of how I found my press and got the studio up and running, check out my about page and the first few blog posts way back in 2008.
I never, ever, ever would have dreamed that this business would grow so much or travel so far. Life always throws you curve balls, but I really do think the universe has your best interests at heart. Here’s to eight more years!
This week, we head out on a daring adventure: to Chile! Ever since I saw a friend’s photos from Easter Island a few years ago, it’s been on my short list, so when Andrew proposed taking a real vacation this year, it was one of the destinations I was rooting for.
There will be plenty of photos and a travel post to come, but in the mean time, I’ve checked another shop update off the list! Three sizes of cotton archival prints turn one of my digital downloads into a museum quality piece! Browse all the sizes here and stay tuned for new prints soon too!
Each year, a dear friend does a fair amount of her Christmas shopping from my shop. This year was no different, but instead of cards and stationery, she took advantage of one of my new offerings and commissioned several watercolor paintings. Now that the paintings are in the hands of their happy recipients, I can finally share them with you!
It all started with the radish watercolor I sold last year. Brittney asked if I was planning on more vegetables, and when I said yes, she made a special request for beets! I especially love how the leaves turned out on this one—I made sure to keep the painting very wet and loose so the varying colors I added could flow into each other and dry with the natural variations that make watercolor so great!
Next up: something new! That’s Deirdre up there, and she loves flamingos, so Brittney asked if I’d be up for doing a little something different, and of course I was! The texture of the feathers was a bit of a challenge, but I feel like I got it just right.
Don’t worry, I’ve saved the best for last (or maybe it’s just my favorite because it’s the one I finished most recently…). For this piece, Brittney sent a few inspiration images, and they were all sketches and drawings, so I decided to go with a different medium. I created an abstract background with blue, purple and green watercolor, then inked the drawing (which I had already sketched in pencil) over the top. I don’t draw much any more, and this reminded me how much I miss it!
I’d love to do more commissioned work in the future, so if you’re interested in a very special gift, or artwork for yourself, get in touch!
Christina and Micheal got married at the end of June at Villa Terrace in Milwaukee. I love the design the couple’s brother/brother-in-law came up with: It’s modern while paying homage to their chosen venue and its current function as a decorative arts museum.We had to make a few tweaks to make them more letterpress-friendly, but overall they’re exactly as they envisioned.
I finished these several months ago (I like to keep invites under wraps until after the nuptials unless the couple says it’s ok!), and looking at them again has me excited to start printing next summer’s invitations! Getting married next summer? It’s not to early to get in touch! Visit the wedding stationery section of my etsy shop or get in touch for a custom design! 
We’re heading out on a tropical vacation today! So this month’s Card Club package is inspired by the sun and the sea (plus a few cards for those inevitable summer weddings)!
Don’t worry, I’ve got a few posts scheduled to entertain you while I’m gone! And, there’s some fun stuff coming up later this month, so stay tuned!
622 press | LETTERPRESS GOODS MADE BY HAND 