Tied up with a bow

March 6, 2009 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

This has been a week of getting very close finishing up several projects — thank God because I also happened to start quite a few new ones last week and I’m just barely keeping up.

Although I still have to cut and assemble the above invitation suite, they’re all printed and they turned out beautifully.

I’m also thisclose to wrapping up a project I mentioned waaaaay back in October for the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. I designed the logo, save the date and invitation, poster and large-scale window clings that will soon plaster the front of the museum. A very special thanks to Jason Gaylor who created the foliage photoshop brushes that are and integral part of the whole identity.

nolatiles.com

March 3, 2009March 4, 2009 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

royal

Throughout the historic parts of New Orleans, the streets are labeled with ceramic tiles embedded into the sidewalk. These beautiful antique tiles are the inspiration for Chris & Nicolle Psilos of nolatiles.com. The duo specializes in home decor items that bring a little bit of NOLA anywhere!

They agreed to share a bit about the business:

This whole thing really evolved out of our love for New Orleans. Using such a unique piece of the city as a basis for our work makes it extremely enjoyable to create our pieces.

Getting started was an extremely intimidating process because we really never considered ourselves “artists” and basically taught ourselves everything through trial and error. We spent lots of time researching many different processes until we decided on our final items: coasters, magnets, plaques and ornaments/displays.

Everything is created in our home and all “raw materials” (with the exception of the heavy duty magnet paper) is purchased over the counter at stores/markets around the city. The most crucial ingredient is the actual picture of the letter or number that we’re using at the time. We literally took thousands of pictures and filtered them down to about 50 or so different images that we use.

Even though we’ve only been at this for less than a year, I can say with confidence that we now do feel like “artists” and are working tirelessly to improve our items that we create!

New Year, New Collection

January 21, 2009January 21, 2009 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

At long last, I’m happy to show you what I’ve been totally absorbed with the last couple of weeks: my first stationery collection of 2009! Below are just a few of the new designs (check out my etsy shop for the rest — and everything is available in any color!) and the press release I sent out with it.

feathers1

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Hot on the tails of its popular holiday line, 622 press has just released its first stationery collection of 2009. Showcasing the signature luxury for which 622 press is known, the collection includes influences from contemporary designer fashion, 17th- century culture and modern home décor, reflected in metallic inks, rich plum damask and feather motifs.

Madison, Wisconsin-based graphic designer Kristin Joiner successfully created and executed her first piece on her antique 1882 Pearl Old Style letterpress in June of 2008 and has been printing and artfully experimenting ever since. Each of the five new core designs is manifested in a variety of colorways and arrangements, and all offer the elegant handcrafted style of a small boutique press.

Hailed as “distinctive and unique . . . they are not merely paper, but also a piece of art for the mantle,” by Megan Larson of the Isthmus Daily Page, 622 press goods make the perfect addition to one’s inventory, whether for penning a personal note or for making a statement on an otherwise blasé wall.

622 press utilizes only the finest materials including hand-mixed oil-based inks, 100% recycled cotton letterpress paper and other quality art papers and creates every piece using earth-friendly processes.

For wholesale pricing, custom orders or further information visit http://www.kristinjoiner.com/622 or contact Kristin at six22press@yahoo.com.

thankyou

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Who runs this place, anyway?

January 15, 2009 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

Ahhhh I know, I’ve failed you again. I promise I’ll be back next week, but in the mean time here’s a sneak peak at what I’ve been working on:

newcollection That, my friends, is only part of a brand new collection of stationery from 622 press. A few pieces are up in my etsy shop — more to come.

Press

December 4, 2008December 4, 2008 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

Just wanted to say ‘hi!’ to all the new visitors to the blog courtesy of the Daily Page and other recent press. When it rains it pours: 622 press is currently featured on The Isthmus Daily Page’s Madison etsy explorations as well as brava Magazine’s annual holiday Wish List. Woo hoo!