Flower Market and Update

A couple weeks ago I got the opportunity to go to the Portland Flower Market. I love flowers and I love seeing the behind the scenes of things, so I jumped on the chance to go with my friend Leslie on her rounds for a local florist. It was such a fun morning waking up early to get to the market in hopes of getting the best pick of the flowers. The smell was amazing, I don't know how you couldn't be happy walking into that place. 

Back in the shop...we're growing! (Like the flower pun?) Leslie has joined our team helping get me and the shop organized so that when we conquer the world I know where my receipts are. She is a natural and has grown smitten with letterpress and brings new energy and ideas with her. We are having such a good time and working our asses off...you know good things are coming!

I am getting ready to take a photo styling class in Portland in a week, so I am going to hold off posting any more product shots until I can show off my new skills. I am excited to learn from the Portland Etsy Team and Chelsea Fuss from frolic! on how to really make photos of your products be the best they can be. 

You can see we have a lot of fun things going on. This weekend is the Portland Letterpress Printers Fair which is part of Design Week. I am excited to take Mike and Leslie and show them a little more of the world I love. 

Also, if you haven't already checked out my Twitter or Facebook you should. It's a good way of getting behind the scenes of what's going on around here (you can also follow my Instagram feed). 

Have a great rest of your week...

Chelsey

New Treasures

I mentioned a few posts ago that the shop was going through some changes. I thought it was time to let you in on the fun! I love the histroy of what we do. Through the last few years I have grown to love everything that comes along with it. Especially the beauty in the machinery and tools. When I learned of a chance to purchase some letterpress equipment and supplies from a local company I jumped at the chance to expand my collection and offerings. From day one I knew I wanted my next press to be a Heidelberg Windmill press, so I am so excited to have one in my collection. 

Along with the press we also gained a new collection of dies. Dies are used for cutting shapes into paper which can be used to make any number of things (packaging, shaped business cards, coasters, etc). Not only did we purchase the dies but we also took on another type of business (more on that soon). 

When we made the purchase, there was a lot of other fun stuff that came along with it. I don't mind growing my collection of letterpress and other printing pieces, even if I don't know what it is I still enjoy it's company. 

One of my favorite additions is this shrinkwrapper we use for packaging. Mmmm, the smell of hot plastic warms my heart. 

I can't wait to go through all of the new type. Who knows what treasures are in these old type drawers. 

So while we get ourselves organized we continue to stay busy. A big part of this new addition was working with customers who make award ribbons. With the press we are die cutting circles and rectangles that are used in the creation of ribbons. Remember the last time you got or saw a ribbon, on the back is a piece of paper where your name and event were written. Well, we are now making those. Random, maybe, but it's a solid business that we are excited to be a part of. 

Interesting, right?

We think so.

Chelsey 

Manly Letterpress

I love working with business that think outside of the box. Local company Adams General Construction is a great example of someone in a traditional industry but knowing how to target his audience and stand out from the crowd. 

Cory and Elizabeth Adams came to me wanting some business stationery that would help them gain the attention of their current and prospective clients. They both are very creative people themselves, and letterpress printing is right in their comfort zone. And their simple, clean style works really well to create standout pieces.

Cory wanted two sided coasters that he could have in the local bars. I thought that was such a great marketing move on his part. And Elizabeth wanted simple classy notecards that could be used to send thank you notes to clients. We made sure they had addressed envelopes for the notecards as well as for their invoices and bids. 

 Cory also gave me one of his company hats so that I can wear it around town when it starts to rain..

Cross promotion at its best. 

All the best to Adams General Construction!

Chelsey

Open House

I had an Open House a couple of weeks ago. It was such a success and so much fun we are already planning our next party! I'm not going to say too much about the evening, but I have a lot of shout outs to make. 

First, this event wouldn't have been so amazing without the help of two dear freinds, Mike B. and Mike F. (with me above, I'm the one in the middle in the "not Mike" button). Mike B. and his wonderful wife (and my friend) Rene' planned the menu and prepared the food. The food was so beatiful and yummy, I am so thankful for their support and help. Mike B. also helped on the crafty decoration side with the paper garlands and a million other little things. Mike F. is my right hand man. He works with me in the shop helping with the sales and die cutting end of my business and he is one of my biggest cheerleaders (a girl needs cheerleaders). 

It was so rewarding to invite people into my world. I have been doing this business for two years but have always had another full time job. The week of my open house was also the same week as my last day at our family printing company where I had worked for the last 9 years. So that was a pretty big week for me, and the party was a great time to celebrate my new life as a small business owner and being self employed (pretty much living the dream!). 

I also got to meet some new people that I know will be great friends. Some for McMinnville, and others from far away. Kyle Durrie with Power + Light Press from Portland came down to McMinnville with her Moveable Type Truck. It was so fun to meet her and talk shop with another letterpress printer. I can't wait to spend more time with her and get more involved in the Portland letterpress scene. 

Katie and Nate with Kinfolk Magazine also made it down. It's always nice to see them and hear what they are up to. Kelly Searle took the beautiful photos...she's a pro. I love that girl and her photos on film make me so happy. Kelly was the one who introduced me to Katie and Nate and also my designer Jane. 

Jane and I met for the first time in person that night. We had only ever communicated online or on the phone. It was like a dream meeting her for the first time. I had pictured what that moment would be like and what she would be like. She is everything a good friend is. I didn't want to leave her side in fear we wouldn't see eachother again for a long time. But alas, two girls with big goals won't be held back, and we will see each other again soon. 

And that's where I am. Full time, in my shop. Happy. I'm so grateful for all of the support of my friends and community and I can't wait to show you what a girl with ink on her fingers and stars in her eyes can accomplish. 

Stay tuned.

Chelsey 

Avett Brothers - Edgefield

I love the Avett Brothers. LOVE. I am always surprised when people haven't heard of them. If you haven't experienced the perfection that is the voices of Seth and Scott Avett you are seriously missing out. 

I went to their show last weekend at McMenamin's Edgefield. This was the second show of theirs I have seen, and it was amazing! The print above is one of the limited prints that Scott Avett creates for each show. He has an extra place in my heart because he carves linoleum blocks and letterpress prints them. 

These guys put on the best live show. Their albums are awesome, but they put so much energy into their live performance I actually prefer listening to their live albums. And isn't their stage awesome?? I know these pictures are a little grainy, I took them from my front row position with my iPhone. 

AND I actually got a banjo pick that Scott Avett threw into the crowd...he seriously makes me want to learn the banjo. Plus they've got some serioius swagger. 

The day was amazing, the show was amazing and I love my friends the Rosenberry's who made it such a fun time!!

Check out the Avett Brother's new album coming out soon! 

I and Love and You,

Chelsey