Today I’m sharing a little peek behind the scenes at how one of my greeting cards comes to life — from the first idea to the moment it ends up on a store shelf (or in your hands!).
It might sound simple… draw a design, print it, done. I wish! There are actually quite a few steps involved, and plenty of trial and error along the way.
Everything starts with the design. Sometimes I sketch on paper, and other times I draw digitally using my Wacom tablet. I begin with a loose red outline (it always looks a bit wild at first) and slowly refine it into clean black line work. Some designs come together in a few hours, while others take days (or even weeks) to feel right. I also have quite a few half-finished designs waiting patiently for their moment to click.
Once I’m happy with the drawing, I add color and tweak the little details until it feels just right. Then it’s time to prep everything for printing, formatting the artwork, checking sizes, and making sure it’s ready to go. I’ve worked with Stationery HQ since the very beginning, and once I hit submit, it turns into a waiting game.
When the box finally arrives, every card is folded by hand and paired with an envelope, usually with a cup of tea and an episode of NCIS playing in the background.
After that, I photograph each design and list it on my website and on Faire. Seeing stores place orders and spotting my cards in shops never gets old, it always feels pretty special.
It’s a slow, hands-on process, but I love that about it. From the first sketch to the final folded card, each step feels personal, and I never quite know which designs will come together quickly and which will take their time. That’s the magic (and mystery) of creating.
