Win free stuff!

June 17, 2009 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 5 Comments

grand_array_giveaway

This blog surpassed 10,000 views last week and to celebrate I thought I’d give away some awesome merchandise from Grand Array. Hannah Stouffer (read about her here and here) provided the goods, I’ll provide the shipping and all you have to do is leave a comment below! Say whatever you’d like — just make sure to include your email so I can get in touch with you if you win!

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Giveaway includes: a sweet Blood is the New Black tee (size medium), three cute matchbooks and a book, all featuring Hannah’s illustrations. Winners will be chosen one week from today by picking a number out of a hat — good luck!

Karen’s Soap Co.

June 11, 2009 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

I’m a sucker for any unique letterform, so of course I instantly loved the SOAP soap from Karen’s Soap Co., but the more I browsed her shop the more clever soaps I found.

$2 from the sale of each Puzzle piece soap set is donated to Autism Speaks

Her handmade glycerin-based soaps are luxurious and moisturizing, but more than that, they’re fun to give and use. I love the Fish-in-a-Bag!

Farm wedding invitations

June 8, 2009 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 4 Comments

Because we’re living in a teeny apartment for the summer while we house shop, my press has not yet joined me in Iowa City. By and large, I’m not taking on any more custom orders until things settle down and I know what state my studio and free time are in. I finished up the last few orders for wedding invitations the Friday before we moved, and hopefully the next time I head to Wisconsin, I’ll be able to take care of several of my own projects that have languished for weeks (a happy birthday card, finally!).

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This is one set of the invites I just finished, made for a beautifully rustic late summer wedding. She wanted a big ol’ tree to reflect the setting, he wanted some elements of birds, and viola! The lovely kelly green (so on trend!) is courtesy of the couple as well, they sent me a ribbon that matches the bridesmaids’ dresses.

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Shop Local: Iowa City

June 6, 2009 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

iowa_apt Well kids, it’s official. I live in Iowa (new apartment above — painting, ceramics and blanket handmade by me, my mom made the pillow). If you’re like 99% of the people to whom I’ve announced my move, you’re picturing a corn field right now. However, if you’re one of the select few in the know, you’re just a little bit jealous. Iowa City is a great little city that boasts a thriving art scene (in fact, the Arts Festival is this weekend), lots of good restaurants and unique shopping to boot. Of course, you do have to drive through a lot of corn fields to get here.

To celebrate the move, I thought I’d feature some of the many talented artists and craftspeople who are now my neighbors!

The In Touch Clutch ™ by Downstairs Designs is a unique fabric carryall designed to travel with you and keep anything it holds safe and sound. (Letterpress notecards perhaps?)

Dawn Frary of Dewey Street Photo Company not only has the ability to capture the spirit of a place in a photo, she also has a very unique style that adds a sort of magic to her subjects.

4th Ave. Soap Shop offers some of the most intricate soaps I’ve ever seen. Sure to please your nose and hands as well as your eyes, she describes her work as “too pretty not to use!”

Keys

May 22, 2009 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

I can’t get enough of Tiffany & Co.‘s new collection of vintage-looking key necklaces. They’re just so chic and classic . . . and expensive. Until I can afford the real thing, I found a number of affordable handmade alternatives. While they may not be fine jewelry, add a chain and they’re just as chic.

Laser-cut painted wood keys made by Pork Shop Show.