Open Studio: Lucinda Walker

Open Studio: Anne of Mira Aster

I had the pleasure of having my friend Anne Millett visit the shop for a little bit to show me a fun project she's been working on as well as have a nice chat over some tea :) Anne owns Mira Aster, a lovely stationery and paper goods company known for it's unique stitching and fabric details.


















We've worked together on many projects in the past, I always try to think of ways to incorporate her work into one of my designs. The paper + stitching + fabric + letterpress combination is always a winner. Each piece is meticulously hand made and ridiculously beautiful. We both get giddy everytime we meet about a project :)

Open Studio: Christine of Idora Design

Last week I spent a day with the sweet and talented Ms. Pyers, who just recently started her landscape company, Idora Design. I had the pleasure of working with her during the design of her logo and identity and we have been friends since. Her website is still under construction so make sure to check back soon, and she has this fun and informative blog for those of you needing tips on gardening or just looking to get inspired.













She named her company after the Idora amusement park that was built in the early 1900's in the neighborhood where she's based. Christine knows her history and has a vintage throw-back feel to her personal style which I love and this definitely influences her work.

Open Studio: Chewing the Cud with Viola

I met Viola Sutanto about a year ago during a wedding networking event. I immediately felt comfortable around her among a sea of strangers and found we had a lot in common--both graphic designers, attended the same schools, know a lot of the same people, have the same nickname ("Vi"), the list goes on...

She owns Chewing the Cud, a concept-driven design, paper goods and textile-based company along with a super stylish wedding line to boot. Here are some snapshots of her work, make sure to take a sec to peruse through her sites. Her work is absolutely fun and flawless!

Open Studio: Happy to meet Joy

I had 3 fun studio visits this week! One of them was from a fellow letterpress printer, Joy Knott of Flybird Press. Her website is still under construction so make sure to check it again soon...




















I love how it says "Momma Bird" on her card :) She has 4 kids under the age of 7. Talk about multi-tasking, she's one busy press-lady! She looks great and seems to handle it all in stride...


















I had a great time talking shop with her and exchanging printing stories and tips, I love it when I can geek out with someone about the technical aspects of letterpress. Yes, we all know its beautiful...but not everyone understands how difficult (and many times frustrating) it can be to make it look that way!

















Joy runs two platten presses: a Heidleberg Windmill and a Chandler and Price similar to mine. You can check out a catalogue of presses here. She learned and bought her presses from The International Printing Museum in Carson, CA. It's quite an amazing resource for printing aficionados.


















She also partnered up with Chewing the Cud at the National Stationery Show this past May so you can see some of her printing work there. And Joy and I are both members of the Ladies of Letterpress website so if you want to geek out with us, check it out :)

I hope to do a studio visit with her soon so I'll make sure to post more about Flybird Press. Thanks Joy, glad we met!

Open Studio: Playdate with Hannah and Seymour

Today, the original crew was back together: Me, Max, Hannah & Seymour. Hannah Berman is the lady behind Pie Bird Press, a little card company that is 100% a reflection of her--sweet, cute, fun, and truly one-of-a-kind. Hannah was my very first shopmate, we've gone through business ups and downs together, raised puppies at the shop together and shared countless stories about boys, friends, family and pop culture gossip all while listening to Justin Timberlake's first album :)

Open Studio: Ms. Yakovenko

Today was a work hard/play hard kind of day--had lots of printing to do and lots to learn from my new guest! My lovely friend Galina Yakovenko spent the day with me and I had such a blast :) She teaches studio art and art integration classes to elementary school kids and works for a Bay Area non-profit called Opera-Piccola. She's one of those exceptional individuals who is able to utilize both sides of her brain and is academically and artistically gifted. I think it's so amazing that she has a passion for teaching, a person with her caliber will make such positive influences on kids today. I always looked forward to my art classes in school--I would've loved to have Galina as my teacher :)

Open Studio: Anna and Blue

I had a fun playdate with my friend Anna Ji and her pup Blue for open studio the other day. I met her through a previous client who thought it would be a good idea for us to meet and network. Anna and I have a lot in common-both graphic designers who have gone through formal training with old-school mentors. Hers being in calligraphy and mine with letterpress.

Open Studio: A day with Jane Kim

I had the pleasure of spending the day with one of my good friends, Jane Kim, who is an all-around amazing person and talent. She's been a full-time artist since 2006 and has had numerous shows around the Bay Area, the most recent one opening this Saturday, August 22nd at the Untitled Gallery in Sausalito.