Post & Courier Interview

Jamie and I moved to Charleston in 2006. After a year of getting to know the city, we fell in love with the Park Circle neighborhood of North Charleston and bought our first house (that would eventually include the INK MEETS PAPER studio). The Post and Courier, Charleston’s newspaper, has been highlighting various areas of town, and we were thrilled when they wanted to interview us about Park Circle. You can read full article here.

We also really enjoyed getting to know photographer Laura Olsen who did the photo shoot for the article. She also took some photos of our studio and was kind enough to send them our way. A few of my favorites are below, and you can check out the rest of them on our Facebook page.

INK MEETS PAPER by Laura Olsen

Challenge Paper Cutter by Laura Olsen

Ink Table

Event Display Makeover

Over the past year or so, we’ve become more comfortable with the routine that comes with preparing for a craft show: how much inventory to  bring, how much cash we’ll need to make change, how long our display setup will take, how to package up everything in the fewest (and lightest weight) containers. That said, we still feel there’s always room for improvement and more polish. After each show, we discuss and critique– what works, what doesn’t work, what needs to be changed, etc).
For all of our previous shows, we set up a table with a burlap cloth and then arranged the cards in stacks or in crates and boxes. While it looked okay, we felt we could do better.

We also wanted customers to have a similar experience at our booth/table that they would in a stationery shop, which meant they’d be viewing them on shelves rather than in stacks on a table. Browsing for cards can be somewhat intimate– you’re looking for the perfect sentiment for someone special and don’t necessarily want that person behind the table staring at your every reaction as you browse through cards.

Jamie built a portable shelf system as our new display. A support panel on the back stabilizes the entire piece (the panel is also hinged to make it easy to transport). It also has a carrying handle. While it is a bit on the heavy side, one person can carry it, and it’s sturdy enough for outdoor use (no worries about gusts of wind). We tried out our new vertical display shelf for the first time at the Lowcountry Artist Market, and I think it worked extremely well.

Singles are displayed along the shelves, and sets are stacked on the table. We keep the extra inventory on the table behind the unit (which we can easily reach when someone makes a purchase).

 

Aside from visually presenting our cards, the other big piece that we want to communicate is our Card Stories. For the Lowcountry Artist Market, we included the card name and Story Code number (yes, typed on the typewriter) on each shelf below the card.

A separate display to the side of the shelf included vintage cameras, a standup explaining card stories, and an iPhone that looped video footage and demoed the mobile app.

We’ve still got a bit of work to do to prepare for the upcoming series of Maker’s Markets at Mixson since they’re all outside. The screen is difficult to see in bright sunlight, so we’re working on a solution. We’re also planning on including additional signage about the letterpress process and Card Stories.

Lowcountry Artist Market

Jamie and I were really excited to be selected as a vendor for the Lowcountry Artist Market. Coordinated by Kristen Gastaldo, the Lowcountry Artist Market is a place for Charleston artisans to sell their handmade and vintage goods locally. I’d attended previous markets and was always so impressed by the caliber of participating vendors. The Music Farm is a great venue too. It’s got great architecture and lots of character (high ceilings, brick walls, wood floors), which complements the bazaar-like feel of the event (it’s filled to the brim with amazing, handmade goods).

Despite the dreary day and occasional downpour, the Artist Market was bustling with people. Lots of friends from Park Circle dropped by (we have the best, most supportive friends). And we enjoyed meeting several other awesome people too: Kristen (mixed media) and Janelle (fused glass jewelry), Seth (screen printing), and Carla (baked goods). It was also great to see the creative business ladies I grab coffee with:  Allison, Jeni of Sea Star Arts, and Sarah of Dodeline Design (who was another Lowcountry Artist Market vendor).

For those of you who’ve seen us at previous shows, you’ll noticed we changed up our display. (More on that here.)

We also introduced two new cards.

Yay was inspired by pieces of washi tape.

and Bummer because everyone has a bad day every now and then.

Type Truck Comes to Charleston!

POPCORN! SODA POP! BOILED PEANUTS! LETTERPRESS PRINTING!
Sideshow Press Movable Type Event

Last week Jamie and I headed over to the Sideshow Press studio in downtown Charleston for the Movable Type event with Kyle Durrie and her type truck. Kyle, who is from Portland, Oregon, has been traveling the United States in a 1982 Chevy step van that she’s outfitted with built-in cabinets, lots of type, a Showcard sign press, and a Golding Official No. 3 tabletop press. She’s been on the road since June 2011 bringing the world of print and movable type to the public. I love that Kyle’s project was funded through Kickstarter… it’s a testament that print is still very much alive and appreciated.

Everyone who stopped by that evening got the opportunity to print a two-color piece using the Sideshow Press Vandercook and Kyle’s sign press. Along with pulling our own print, we really enjoyed talking letterpress with Kyle and the Sideshow Press team. Cheers to the love of print

Peanut Party Letterpress Print