Loved this post from Oh So Beautiful Paper from a week ago… the color palette of two of the photos, side-by-side, inspired me for a holiday project I’m wrapping up this week! Hope the OSBP post inspires you too. I think anything looks good with kraft paper.
{images found via Oh So Beautiful Paper; left image from Country Living & right image from Design*Sponge}
Finally I can share with you a project that I’ve been secretly working on for a few months! This past Saturday was a small craft fair I organized, called the Hidden Holiday Market. I was so inspired by Chelsea & Abby in their creation of the Little Winter Market from last year, that I wanted to create a small fair of my own. I know so many talented and creative people and I knew collectively we could put together something really wonderful. I decided to host the event at my home, making it a warm, inviting, and casual holiday shopping experience. However, since I didn’t want complete strangers showing up or knowing where I live, we made the event by invitation-only for family and friends… which is why I’ve kept it secret until now.
In total, 9 different artists and craftspeople came together to showcase their wares and their talent. We had hot cocoa & cookies, a fire in the fireplace, and holiday music to get visitors in the mood. After a bit of a slow start, we suddenly had the house full of people and it was absolutely buzzing with activity! From what I heard/observed, people really liked that it was held at a home and felt like they could linger and meander more so than at a craft fair, and thus were really able to relax and talk with the artists about their work.
I had such a great time and I’m very much hoping to have this event happen again next year. My dream and goal for 2012 is to be able to afford my own studio space, and if I’m able to do that (and it’s large enough), I’d love to host this event there and have it completely open to the public. Although, there is something nice about having a cup of hot cocoa by a toasty fireplace…
Thank you again to all the artists who showed their work and who helped make this event go off without a hitch!
Allison Bianco
Leo Bonarrigo & Leah Mooney from Bonarrigo Weddings
Jeffrey Ellse
Calla Fogarty
Meagan Gilner from The Brocade Blackbird (and who also represented Shortstack Accessories)
Lara Henderson
Laura Warecki from Paper Taxi
*Photos and a video (I do believe!) of the event from Bonarrigo Weddings to come soon!
Today’s the last day to order custom note cards to receive them in time for holiday delivery! Here’s the details:
A set of A2 (4.25″ x 5.5″) folded note cards, one-color printed on 100% cotton stock, with unprinted envelopes in two quantities and prices:
• a set of 25 for $170 or
• a set of 50 for $190
(if you’d like the return address printed on the envelope flaps, add $1.50 per envelope)
Customize with a name, a design, a favorite quote, or a pattern. I’ll work with you to design cards that your family member, dear friend, or you will love. To begin the custom process, contact me here.
*This pricing does not include shipping costs or sales tax (6.25% for MA residents only).
Thank goodness it’s Friday! I’ve been working twice as hard this past week because most likely I will absent from this space (and from doing any letterpress work) for most of next week. My amazing cousin and dear friend, Caitlin, is getting married next week (next week! my little cousin!) and we’re having well over 30 people for Thanksgiving because of it. Between cleaning, baking, and cooking for turkey day, plus all of the prep for the wedding and the nupitals themselves (I’m a co-maid of honor), I think I will actually be more busy not working!
However, make sure to check this space on Monday as I will be posting a special “Black Friday special”!
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Colleen
{image shown via my iPhone; a sneak peek at some more holiday letterpress items}
They’re here! Hot off the press! Channukah, Christmas, and Holiday note cards are now stocked in the shop. More holiday paper goodies to come next week… stay tuned!
{images shown via my shop}
Over the summer I had the pleasure of working on a letterpress wedding invitation suite for Jamie & Michael, who got married at the elegant Ocean House in Rhode Island this fall. The bride was lovely to work with and through the project I was also able to work with two talented women. The entire set was designed by Kristin DiVona; often while I was printing these pieces I had people stop while passing the Vandercook and praise the ink choice or design. I also worked with the bride’s event consultant, Meg Cimini of Cairn Event Consulting, who couldn’t have been nicer. The bride, Kristin, and Meg were so great to work with and the entire suite was beautiful to print… I was lucky to work on such a great project!
Next week is November (already?), which means December with all of it’s holidays will be just around the corner. To celebrate the upcoming gift-giving season, from now until December 5th I’m offering personalized & custom letterpress note cards at a special rate.
A set of A2 (4.25″ x 5.5″) folded note cards, one-color printed on 100% cotton stock, with unprinted envelopes in two quantities and prices:
• a set of 25 for $170 or
• a set of 50 for $190
(if you’d like the return address printed on the envelope flaps, add $1.50 per envelope)
Customize with a name, a design, a favorite quote, or a pattern. I’ll work with you to design cards that your family member, dear friend, or you will love. To begin the custom process, contact me here.
*Please note: December 5th is the last day I can offer this pricing in order to design, print & mail your note cards in time for December 25th. Also, this pricing does not include shipping costs or sales tax (6.25% for MA residents only).
If this offer isn’t quite what you were looking for, please contact me and I’m always happy to prepare a custom quote.
The last few weeks were a big blur of illustrating, designing, and marathon printing, and yet it was all done with lots of love and care. I’m pleased to share my first letterpress calendar, A Year in the Woods. It’s inspired by my local Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary and all the time I’ve spent there during the 12 months of the year.
Things are always changing, life is always growing. Often I’ll bring my camera and stop to try and notice all the wildlife the forest holds: the tiniest mushrooms in the fall, various animal tracks in the snow during winter, or a clump of fiddleheads coming through old growth in the spring. Even when the woods are silent, there is always something new to see or be inspired by.
To reciprocate my love for those 2,000 acres, I’ll be donating 10% of each calendar sale to the Mass Audubon Society. For more details, check out the calendar in my shop.
{image shown via my online shop}
I’m teaching another Business Card workshop at the AS220 Print Shop in Providence, RI on Thursday, November 3rd from 6–10 pm. Students can either submit their own design ahead of time or they can pick from three templates; everyone leaves with 250 letterpress business cards printed in a dark blue ink. For $80, that’s such a bargain! Come on over and have some fun learning the letterpress process while printing your cards. Sign up here.
{image above via my portfolio}
Some photos from Kyle’s visit to the AS220 Print Shop tonight. Very cool idea to see a letterpress shop on wheels!
Love this last photo, a map with red pins that show everywhere the type truck has been thus far! Best of luck with your letterpress travels, Kyle!
{images shown via my iPhone}