Dad’s such a Card

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design, father's day, graphic design, holiday, letterpress, product design, stationery, typography

It’s about time to get that Father’s Day card in the mail! Here are some inspired choices to let your pop know he’s tops.

Rocket Ink – My Pops is Tops, $4

Star Shaped Press – Best Dad, $4.50

Ginger P Designs – Daddy’s Little Girl, $3.50

Red Stamp – Argyle, free digital card with the app

Print for Love of Wood – Fab Dad, $4.71

Chasing Type – Behind Every Great Man, $4

Honizukle – My Hero, $5.50

DeLuce Design Letterpress Paper Goods – Dad Owl, $5

Kik Design – Dad Shoe, $4

Egg Press – Sea of Dads, $6

Ink Meets Paper – Love Ya Dad, $4

The Small Print Company – Big Daddy, $5

Urbanic – Charming Dad, $5.50

Sweet Potato Shop – You Da Man, $3.50

Living Letterpress – Darn Good Dad, $3

2013 National Stationery Show Favorite

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creativity, design, indie designers, inspiring, letterpress, new york city, stationery, typography

Each year, I’ve been selecting one brand to highlight as “best in show” from the National Stationery Show in NYC. Which is actually no small feat; the caliber of new talent is pretty extraordinary out there. (I’ll be featuring lots of it over the next few weeks!) This year, my selection is Moglea, a letterpress studio in rural Iowa run, 67 miles from the nearest Starbucks. (Egad… That boggles the mind. I have one on the main floor of my office building and sometimes that seems inconveniently distant.) Designer Meg Gleason started the company a few years ago by offering custom stationery, and just last year launched her first retail line. Her eye for typography, playful handwritten text and sophisticated yet whimsical design sense make for a really fresh perspective. (Apologies in advance: I don’t have great photos of her newest stuff – the stuff I fell head over heals with – just my dark & blurry hurried camera shots. Yes, I could have waited to get fab pics, but I was just too anxious to post this! Keep checking her Etsy shop; they’ll be available soon!)

Freaking Awesome Letterpress Card, $7.50

Happy Birthday To You Letterpress Card, $7.50

Just a Little Note Card Letterpress Flat Card with Lined Envelope, $6

You Bless Me Letterpress Flat Card with lined envelope, $6

Leafy Greens Collage Card, $6.50

Well Said, Ernestine.

Tags

design, inspiring, letterpress, quotes, typography, wall art

Mother’s Day Cards

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design, gifts, holiday, indie designers, letterpress, mother's day, product design, shopping, stationery

I can’t imagine being separated by distance from my mom (luckily for me, we only live about a mile apart). But if I was, I’d be licking a stamp to send off one of these fab finds to wish her a very happy Mother’s Day! (As always, click to shop!)

HowAwcard – 50% You, $3.50

Egg Press – Floral Die Cut, $5.50

(detail)

Egg Press – Poppies, $6

(detail)

BS and RS – Badass Mother, $5.50

Pera Press – Marvelous Mom, $4

Cool Stuff I Want – You Were Right, $4 CAD

Kate’s Paperie – Purple Flower, $4.95

Paper Source – Chalkboard, $3.50

Honizukle – Letterpress, $5.95

Ink Meets Paper – Love Ya, $5

Smock Paper – Warm Floral, $4

(detail)

Doodle Love – Mark Twain, £2.50 GBP

Lark Press – Squirrel, $4.50

Marks & Spencer – Mothering Sunday Personalized, £1.99

Sugar Paper – Lucky, $6

622 Press

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color, design, graphic design, handmade, indie designers, letterpress, product design, stationery, wall art

I like featuring the work of indie designers from this neck of the woods, so I thought I’d share some beautiful stationery products by Madison-based designer Kristin Joiner of 622 Press. I suppose – technically – Madison is in a whole different state; but I figure if you can get there by car in 5 hours, that’s close enough to be considered a neighbor. (As always, click to shop!)

Patience Limited Edition Letterpress Print, $60

Lavender Grasses Letterpress Note Card, $3

Eclectic Mix of 10 Letterpress Tags, $5

Robin’s Egg Damask Letterpress Note Card, $3.50

Silver Dandelion Letterpress Note Card, $3

The World is So Beautiful Letterpress Print, $25

(print detail)

Green Magnolia Letterpress Thank You Note, $3.50

Oops – 15 Pack of Seconds, $15

Leah Duncan Textiles & Prints

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accessories, color, creativity, decor, design, graphic design, handmade, indie designers, interior design, leah duncan, letterpress, modern, patterns, product design, textiles, wall art

“I want sugar in my tea”. A simple and fitting self-description from a brilliantly unique artist. Austin-based Leah Duncan was a designer in the agency world as well as for silkscreening companies before deciding she wanted to make a living doing what she loved: surface design. Today, she sells her quirky, folk-meets-modern textiles in both her Etsy shop and retail boutiques, while also picking up coveted commissions from the likes of Target, Land of Nod and Urban Outfitters. (As always, click to shop!)

Marfa 16″ Pillow Cover, $40

Oslo 16″ Pillow Cover, $40

Leif 16″ Pillow Cover, $40

Landscape 16″ Pillow Cover, $40

Morning Walk 8″x10″ Print, $20

Seasonal Eggs 8″x10″ Print, $26

Set of 2 letterpressed cards (in collaboration with Satsuma Press), $10

Onions and Leaves Tea Towel, $18

Dots Linen Tea Towel, $26

Sprouts Tea Towel, $24

Hoppin’ Down the Bunny Trail

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creativity, design, holiday, letterpress, product design, stationery

Today, a smattering of Easter cards that feel simple, fresh and modern. (as always, click to shop!)

Duet Letterpress – Hoppy Easter Card

Sugar Paper – Hippity Hop Card, $6

Heartfish Press – E is for Easter, $5

Quill and Fox – Egg Painting, $4

Whit and Whistle – Easter Typography, $4

Moxie House Paper Goods – Rabbit Letterpress, $5

Paper Source – Chocolate Bunny, $4.50

Seahorse Bend Press – Striped Egg, $5

Ink Meets Paper – Letterpress Easter Eggs

Lion and Lisa – Carrot Card, $4.50

Crane – Le Cottontail, $3.25

Farewell Paperie – Easter Feaster Letterpress Card, $5

Paper Finch Design – Peter Cottontail, $4

Gimme Some Sugar.

Tags

design, letterpress, product design, stationery, typography

While shopping in Atlanta last week, I stumbled upon a stationery company I actually hadn’t seen in a while. Los Angeles-based Sugar Paper is a letterpress company founded by two graphic designers 10 years ago, whose love of classic social stationery and simplicity comes through in their understated collection of exquisite paper products. (As always, click to shop!)

Baby Boy, $5.50

Baby Girl, $5.50

Birthday Floral, $6

Cake & Candles, $6

So Happy, $6

Be Mine, $6

Easter Confetti, $6

Lobster, $6

Life Colorful, $6

Kraft Thank You, $6

A Good Script

Tags

design, graphic design, handmade, indie designers, letterpress, stationery, typography

Calligrapher Kristen Henderson recently launched a small collection of letterpress note cards featuring her lovely handwritten script and slightly saucy sensibility. All cards are letterpressed in gray on 4-bar flat card on 100% cotton luxurious thick card stock, and retail for $4.25 each. (As always, click to shop!)

Well Said, Kate.

Tags

design, graphic design, letterpress, musings, quotes, typography, wall art

On-line, Valentine.

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design, gifts, handmade, indie designers, letterpress, product design, shopping, stationery, textiles, valentine

Looking for a unique Valentines Day gift – preferably under $35 bucks? Consider leaving the big box behind, and jumping into the world wide web instead. All of the items I’m sharing today are hand-made by artists peddling their wares on Etsy.

Sandra Smith Handmade – Linen Zipper Pouch, $32

Modern Photographie – Little Love Vase (6″ ceramic), $35

LLM Originals – Sea Glass Sterling Silver Earrings, $22

The Big Harumph – Linocut Print, $20

So Cal Gal Mercantile – Graphic Apron, $35

StinkR – Chunky cowl neck scarf, $21

Lei Lei – Silver-Plated Wire Heart Ring, $10

Sugar Mama’s Chocolates – 20 Chocolate Covered Oreos, packaged in sets of 2, $20

Karo Art, Ireland – Red Heart Bowl, €23

The Knitting Sea – Red Heart Cup Warmer, $11

Modern Radar – Petals Pleated Canvas Zipper Pouch, $15

If all else fails, visit your local farmer’s market (or florist) to create your own, original red and pink bouquet!

Be Mine, Valentine.

Tags

design, graphic design, handmade, holiday, illustration, indie designers, letterpress, stationery, typography

What I love about Valentines Day is that it pretty much mandates that one reaches out to those they care about and lets them know how beloved they are. This is something – in my estimation – we should strive to do more than once a year. Daily is probably a better choice. Still, an annual, heartfelt “I love you” is better than none at all, and the formality of a card still exudes sweetness even to those who are lucky enough to get daily affirmations. These Valentines are some of my favorites this year… (As always, click to shop!)

Two Hand Design – Hello Love, $4

Presse Dufour – Be Mine, $5

Kik Design – XO, $4

Lucky Bee Press – Love, $4.50

Rifle Paper Company – Je T’Aime, $4.50

Egg Press – Saving All My Love, $6

(detail)

Egg Press – Love You Heart, $2

(detail)

Sapling Press – Popeye, $4.50

Poetic Madness – Dr. Seuss, $5.50

Lucky Bee Press – Squirrels, $4.50

Chasing Type – I Heart You, $4

Caroline Gardner – Be Mine, £2.50

Caroline Gardner – Heart Row, £2.50

Short Grass Designs – Mini Hearts, $4

Breeding Fancy – Smitten, $4

Fascenated by Facets

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accessories, decor, design, graphic design, handmade, indie designers, interior design, letterpress, patterns, product design, stationery, textiles

I started noticing these little triangle patterns and faceted surfaces well over a year ago at the gift shows. I’m afraid I must admit, I didn’t pay them much attention; as I couldn’t imagine that they’d actually resonate with folks outside the realm of high design. Now, while snacking on my humble pie, I must admit they’ve crossed over. A person can’t spend 5 minutes on Pinterest without tripping over any number of related images. What once seemed madcap and edgy, has thoroughly mainstreamed. (As always, click to shop!)

Amanda Millner McAdoo – Poseidon Print, $20

Blackbird & the Owl – Leather Clutch, $50

Ink & Spindle Blockprint in black fabric designed by Lara Cameron, $24.00 AUD

Pattern Collection by Leandro Pita – Pillow Cover, $20

Ferm Living – Remix Wallpaper, $110

Essey – Crinkle Tissue Box Cover by John Brauer, $32

Harvest Textiles, Australia – Handprinted fabrics

Pavillion notebook from Papier Tigre, France, €14.00

Pom by Pomegranate – Handprinted merino wool scarf, $75 AUD

Robert Abbey Delta Schiarelli Table Lamp, $166

FUSS by Karen pillow from the Decorate Shop, DKK 500,-

Cloud 9 Fabrics – Simpatico

Goldsmiths Embroidered Wallpaper from Custhom, £170/ roll

Menu Design by US Raw Diamonds Vase, $100

Ferm Living Spear Print Shower Curtain, $115

Courtney Oquist – Triangle Print Postcard, $2

Little Hen Studio – Handprinted storage, $26/2

Paisley Sprouts – Triangle Pillow, $30

Well Said, Anonymous.

Tags

creativity, design, graphic design, handmade, indie designers, inspiring, letterpress, product design, quotes, typography, wall art