Love Poetry Broadsides for Brain Mill Press

December 16, 2015December 14, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

Now that the Etsy shop is closed up, I’m excited to share some of the commissions I’ve been working on! Truth be told, this project has consumed so much brain power over the last few months that I thought I’d already written about the first edition, but it turns out I haven’t, so here goes!

You all remember the limited edition of sweet little blind emboss prints I created for Brain Mill Press earlier this year, right? (If not, guess what? There’s a link right up there ^ ) Brain Mill Press is an independent publishing house in Wisconsin, started just a few years ago by two incredible women. They publish prose and poetry that offers an authentic view on the human experience—especially love. Please don’t let your mind go to tacky romance novels, though, these are incredible works by accomplished and novice writers alike.

Each publication is printed first in a fine art first edition, which comes with a special gift for the first 100 pre-orders. For a series of four poetry chapbooks, that special gift is a broadside designed and printed by yours truly!

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Each print features a commissioned illustration by Ann O’Connell and an excerpt from a poem hand-set in lead type. By some luck or fate, I just happened to have a font of lead type that is very similar to a typeface they were already using on their website! The drawer was fairly well stocked—meaning I have a lot of letters—but the poems were longer than I expected, so I ended up having to print each one in several sections as I ran out of certain characters, which was a bit of a challenge.

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Tanka, Seaborgium and The Presentation are finished and delivered, and I have one more to print in early January! I just love how they’ve turned out so far, I roughed up a digital design before I began each one, but nothing compares to the letterpress printed project: The paper is so luxe, the type has a great bite… they’re lovely. In fact, I’m considering hanging an extra Artist’s Proof (the not-quite-perfect prints that didn’t make it into the edition) of all four in our guest bedroom!

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I will be finished with this project in about a month, so if you’re interested in commissioning something similar, please get in touch!

Gift Guide 2015: Dudes

December 5, 2015November 30, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Men! So hard to shop for, right? How many years in a row is too many when it comes to Gander Mountain/REI/Home Depot gift certificates? Never fear—whether it’s your boyfriend, best friend, brother or dad, I’ve got you covered this year!

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Dudes are the worst because they rarely lust after objects like women… and when they really want something, they just go buy it. But you know what dudes need but never buy? Art! The numerals print above is perfect for his office—especially if he’s a numbers guy… your accountants, actuaries, general nerds.

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Not so math-oriented? If there’s one thing all men love, it’s beer! This print was made by hand using antique wooden type on my antique printing press. Lots of antique things—hipsters and old souls alike love that shit. Round out your offering with these coasters and voila! A gift made in man cave heaven.

If you’re feeling super fancy, get in touch in the next week or so to commission a set of personalized coasters just for him! Pick a favorite color and I’ll print his name above “BEER goes here”! I can even print them with “scotch” or another favorite cocktail. Last day to order is December 9!

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And finally, if your fella is a fashionista (or you just wish he was), here’s a collection that’s sure to please. First up: that skinny tie. Zuzu Wear is a husband and wife team handmaking ties in tons of fun fabrics and colors. Personally, I’m a fan of these floral numbers, but they offer some more traditional striped options as well.

While we’re on the subject of neckwear, I love a dude in a scarf. There’s nothing more manly than admitting it’s f*$#ing cold outside so let’s all bundle up, amiright? This hand-crocheted number will keep him cozy while not being overly full (read: girly).

In my opinion, no stylish person is complete without bespoke stationery. I made this set for my own mister with a lead typeface that’s friendly while remaining quite simple. Order your own set here!

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Couple Stationery

November 17, 2015November 10, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

A few weeks ago when I was working on Chris and Kristi’s save the date coasters, I took the opportunity to prototype a new set of personalized stationery I’d been thinking about for a few weeks.

Perfect for a new bride and groom to write their wedding thank yous on, your friends who just moved in together, or any couple who loves putting pen to paper! Order in November to guarantee them in time for Christmas!Because they’re a two-color job, they’re only available in larger quantities than my usual monogram 8-packs, but two people will be using them, so it works out! Order them here.

New Holiday Arrangements!

November 14, 2015November 2, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

I’m so excited to finally unveil new holiday floral designs! I spent the last few weekends researching mistletoe and prototyping designs—and I love this one! Each stem has about eight little berries surrounded by beautifully sculpted leaves. Available in two colorways, either as a single stem or ready to hang—bow and all! Check them out here.

christmas_9661 If you’ve been following along for a few years, you know I do my best to avoid the classic holiday red/forest green color scheme. I’ve been working on a bouquet that is festive yet modern and on trend—which of course this year means adding blush in the form of cheery anemones! Combined with bright lime foliage and a huge fuchsia peony along with red mini roses and deep teal mistletoe, it makes for the perfect arrangement!

Order one for yourself—or better yet, bring it with to holiday celebrations for your hostess!

November Card Club

November 1, 2015October 27, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Well, Halloween has come and gone so it’s officially ok for me to start posting holiday goods! It was all I could do to keep them under wraps this year. As holidays go, Halloween is one of my favorites, but business-wise, there’s just no beating Christmas!

First up, of course, is November’s card club! I got these in the mail last week, so my subscribers should have plenty of time to write family and friends a heartfelt note. I hate Black Friday traffic and the terrible qualities it brings out in my fellow humans, so I that’s the day I usually spend writing cards. What are your holiday card writing traditions?

Need to pick up some holiday cards? Find these designs and more here! Want to join the 622 press Card Club? Join here. A subscription also makes a great gift!