Howdy from Chicago. My name is Kelly and I have a little letterpress shop called Paper Stories. Back in December I decided to organize a letterpress swap, thinking I would be lucky if I found 10 printers to participate. After putting the word out and sending emails to some of my favorite printers, I ended up with a HUGE print exchange with a wonderfully diverse group totally 38 printers. With a little trial and error on my part trying to figure out the best way to exchange everything, the basic premise was this: Everyone creates an original letterpress art print, make enough copies for everyone in the swap, & send them all to me with a few bucks for shipping. The printers had until March to complete their prints and it wasn't until just a few weeks ago that the massive undertaking of sorting, arranging, packing and shipping the prints back to everyone was complete.
Involved in the swap are not only some well-known seasoned veterans but first-time printers alike. Yet regardless of their experience behind the press, everyone participating took the time to create a well thought out and unique piece and as the organizer of the swap, I couldn't be more proud. I think the best part for me was the opportunity to meet some amazing folks. Quite a few of us actually met up at the National Stationery Show in May and have become cyber pals since. I have already been getting requests from folks about next year's swap or even the possibility of a holiday letterpress ornament swap. Hmmm. We shall see.
Now to the part you really want to know about... The Incredible Massive Letterpress Giveaway part! All of the printers were kind enough to include a few extra prints for giveaways and Jan was kind enough to let me share our giveaway with the lovely Poppytalk readers. So here is the scoop; We have not one, not two, but THREE prizes to give away to some lucky readers. You will have until the end of the day on Thursday to enter. Winners will be chosen on Friday.
Involved in the swap are not only some well-known seasoned veterans but first-time printers alike. Yet regardless of their experience behind the press, everyone participating took the time to create a well thought out and unique piece and as the organizer of the swap, I couldn't be more proud. I think the best part for me was the opportunity to meet some amazing folks. Quite a few of us actually met up at the National Stationery Show in May and have become cyber pals since. I have already been getting requests from folks about next year's swap or even the possibility of a holiday letterpress ornament swap. Hmmm. We shall see.
Now to the part you really want to know about... The Incredible Massive Letterpress Giveaway part! All of the printers were kind enough to include a few extra prints for giveaways and Jan was kind enough to let me share our giveaway with the lovely Poppytalk readers. So here is the scoop; We have not one, not two, but THREE prizes to give away to some lucky readers. You will have until the end of the day on Thursday to enter. Winners will be chosen on Friday.
1st Prize
a COMPLETE set of all 38 prints from the swap
-with a value of over $800-
2nd & 3rd Prizes
each get 1/2 a complete set - 19 prints each
(the half-sets will be evenly divided for a good mix)
-with a value of about $400 each-
a COMPLETE set of all 38 prints from the swap
-with a value of over $800-
2nd & 3rd Prizes
each get 1/2 a complete set - 19 prints each
(the half-sets will be evenly divided for a good mix)
-with a value of about $400 each-
So here's what you need to do. Below is the list of participants. Visit the websites from at least two of the participants whose work you really like. In the comments below, let us know your what your two favorite works are.
For a full peek at all of the prints/printers involved in the swap, visit this Flickr page complete with photographs and names (documented by Bon Vivant Press) . Many of the prints were limited edition runs and several of the printers have a few copies left for sale on their various websites so if you aren't a lucky winner, you can still pick up some kick-ass art.
GOOD LUCK!
Editors Note: We are honoured that Kelly and the swap participants have chosen Poppytalk to share this wonderful giveaway. Safari browsers note: You many not be able to comment using Safari after the list gets to 80 comments or so. If this is the case, please use another browser such as Firefox to leave a comment. If you do not have Firefox please email us at poppytalkblog[at]yahoo[dot]ca and we will enter your name for you. One comment/entry per person. Comments/entries at this post only. We are so stoked about this! Good luck to everyone!
GOOD LUCK!
Editors Note: We are honoured that Kelly and the swap participants have chosen Poppytalk to share this wonderful giveaway. Safari browsers note: You many not be able to comment using Safari after the list gets to 80 comments or so. If this is the case, please use another browser such as Firefox to leave a comment. If you do not have Firefox please email us at poppytalkblog[at]yahoo[dot]ca and we will enter your name for you. One comment/entry per person. Comments/entries at this post only. We are so stoked about this! Good luck to everyone!
Comments
All around, yummy eye candy...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19084199
From Robin Beth, I like it a lot the Avante-Garden collection, but the problem is that they don't have names, only a flash...
From sevencolordays, I love the Whale!!! OHHh, so cute!
I just love Night Owl Papergoods and have purchased several packs of Thank you cards from them.
I also love Sycamore Street Press and YeeHaw Industries.
i would say my favorites are anything by a. favorite design, but in particular her new postcard click clack clunk & the sycamore street press original print, Ikumi Watanabe.
i would say my favorites are anything by a. favorite design, but in particular her new postcard click clack clunk & the sycamore street press original print, Ikumi Watanabe.
I love shoes & stars by Olive-Route. Seriously, a card with Jacks on them? What could be better?
I also like the Reader's Diary from Green Chair Press.
Thanks for the giveaway!
So hard to pick favorites, but I think I have to go with Delphine Press and Albertine Press.
I've loved Yee-Haw for a long time, and they've served as constant inspiration in designing my paper goods for my wedding. (If I could afford to commission them, I'd do it in a heartbeat.) I especially love the 'You are my sunshine' print, since my dad used to sing that to me as a girl.
I think my other favorite is the SeeSaw Twain print (a boat in the harbor..). Really inspiring, and inspired.
Thanks again for the opportunity!!
My two picks are the Paper Cut letterpress coasters from Albertine Press, and the Letterpress Feedsack of the Month Club from BirdDog Press.
I am gonna go with "A Ship In the Harbor" by Lindsey (See Saw Designs) and "Surgery Room" by Bon Vivant Press.
cheers!
Marcelo
Roll & Tumble Press's Kissing Booth is something I've been in like with for quite awhile.
And Yeehaw's Chocolates print is so my style.
Thanks for all the goodies to stare at!
xo
Kelly
My 2 favorites are Night Owl Paper Goods (how cute is their work??) and Delphine Press.
I love prints, so my favorite pieces are; Night Owl's Golden Folksy Floral Rosette print...so pretty! And Delphine's Poppy print and Dragonfly print. They're so cool!
Ligatures by A Favorite and Rule by Mire Ink Press.
But I'm excited to visit all of the links... So many great web sites!
Yellow floral by Sycamore Street Press and Clocks by Albertine Press
Also love "Bon Vivant Press Surgery Room" by Bon Vivant Press. I like the strangeness of old medical/scientific images and the scalpels on the sides make it even more strange!
All of these prints are so wonderful. . .
but two of my favorites from the list would have to be Surgery Room, by Bon Vivant Press and Rule, from Mire Ink Press.
I love all things medical and geometric. :)
i'm a book editor and have to say, "rule" by mire ink press stood out because it looked like the spines of books on a shelf. And, "ligatures" by a.favorite...because who doesn't love some typographic humor?!
1st Onward and upwards by Angela.
2nd A Ship In The Harbor by Lindsey
Very talented work by all though!
Thanks and good luck to all!
It's all so lovely. I love Sycamore Street Press and Night Owl Goods. But Yeehaw is so great too. And Seesaw Designs. Ahhh.
I could happily find a home for them all though!
My favorites are the frog print from Bon Vivant and the Moon print from Reservoir Press.
Fingers crossed and many thanks!!!
Paper Stories and their lovely swirls mixed with curse words. Because I love to swear.
Bespoke Press's Birds Print
Green Chair's coasters. I need these in my house.
I've been obsessed with Yee-Haw Industries for a while now, I've got one of their "Situations for the modern printmaker" posters in my studio! Their new "Keep on the sunny side" giant cards are awesome as well.
I've also got one of those "Live what you Love" prints from Hijirik Design Studio... truly inspirational.
Thanks for introducing me to roll and tumble press! New favorite!
Meredith
The best giveaway ever!
I love everything from Sycamore Street Press, in particular the owl bookplates and marigold and slate gift tags.
Another favorite? The Onward and Upward print by SeeSaw Designs. (Their bird greeting cards caught my eyes too!)
What an awesome giveaway!
My two favorites are definitely
- Live what you love, by Hijirik Design Studio - love it in yellow. And pink. And grey. And... well basically all the lovely colors.
- Birds print by Bespoke Press.
thank you guys. wonderful giveaweay.
jet set, by albertine press
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21823530
&
vintage chair, by bespoke press
http://bespokepress.bigcartel.com/product/letterpressed-vintage-chair-limited-edition-print-8-5x11-magenta
1.) 12fifteen: I adore the flying birds in brown
2.)Sycamore Street: the lovely alphabet print
...but of course I would love any letterpress sweetness!!
I love BirdDog Press' Light Me Up TwirlyGigs Letterpress Greeting Card. The added patterned paper lanterns on the card. I also covet Green Chair Press' Queen of Hearts. The illustration is amazing. I wish my regular playing cards were that pretty.
From, Things are Better with a Parrot, I adore the strawberry card with the red ink and blind print - on their website. It is fresh and crisp. Love it.
Night Owl Paper has a beautiful new print - golden folksy floral rosette. The color is fantastic. I love the pattern - Mandala with floral mixed in.
Beautiful work!
I'd have to say my favorite is "Spring" by Bird Dog Press. I had the pleasure of visiting the artist and her studio this weekend and have officially obtained a new obsession for letterpress.
The second favorite of mine is "Chairs" by Bespoke Press, which I noticed instantly hanging on the wall of Bird Dog Press' studio.
I also like Bird in the Clouds by Adam (Yee Haw Industries). From their etsy store I like the farmers market onion hand printed letterpress poster and the yippie kai yay mother effers letterpress cowboys print in yee-haw vignette.
My two favs out of the bunch are:
1) Night Owl Papergoods - Tangerine Button Flower from their recycled line - why? because it uses scrap materials (yahoo!) and it's pop of orange screams summer to me - eco-cute!
2) Hijink Design Studio - LIVE WHAT YOU LOVE (4th edition sold out red print) - adore this as it is my mantra...and try to live it everyday - nice work!
good luck all - keep loving letterpress!!!
catherine s.
i LOVE "Onward & Upward" by Angela of Seesaw Designs & "Chairs" by Bespoke Press.
:)
Favorite #1: from Bespoke Press --
Letterpressed Vintage Chair Limited Edition Print 8.5x11" - Yellow
Favorite #2: from Night Owl Paper Goods -- golden folksy floral rosette
I would have to go with Surgery Room by Bon Vivant Press and With Each Tiny Step by Roll and Tumble Press.
Sooo lovely.
nice to see so much beautiful work out there.
I love giveaways but this one surpasses my wildest press dreams!
I really think the B&W Patterns and Cube "i love you" print from JuliaJuliette.com is fantastic.
My second choice is defenitly the red rosette thank you note card from Night Owl Paper Good.
So did we have to pick our favs from among the list of swaps or could it be anything from the printers' sites? Thought it was supposed to be from the swaps, so here we go:
I really like the Apache Blessing from Kissing Bug Press. What a beautiful poem! It's cool to see that some are still doing fine press work (though I love the cards too!).
And call me sill for not picking one of the cards, but my second fav is Starshaped Press' promo piece. I like all the different fonts used :)
At the very least, thanks for sharing all of these! Big thanks to Bon Vivant Press for the Flickr photos!
Kissing Booth Letterpress Poster 2 by Roll & Tumble and the Bug letterpress coasters by 12fifteen.
my faves would have to be water otter by night owl & yee-haw's psychic star owl. the jr. rangers are really cute too!
I love these prints; so hard to choose. Quickly saying two:
Night Owl Paper Goods - water otter card (so cute)
Delphine Press - California Poppy on anything!
**mire ink** half reminds me of an excel bar chart and an over-crowded city of condos and construction but a glimmer of hope can be found of new life and color. beautifully done!
**Bon Vivant Press** froggie dissection is the last thing i'd expect to see on a card but love the colors and the details of the innards! wicked cool looking.
Nigh Owl Paper Goods is one of my favorites. Love their "lucky friend" letterpess notecard. Another can't-live-without-it is Sycamore Street Press' Alphabet letterpress poster (in tulip/water).
So many great talents in this contest--thanks!
What a great giveaway!
I like "the moon" by reservoir press. I also like "chairs" by Bespoke Press.
Thank you for the great content and contest.
- greenchairpress's Around the Block
- Sycamore Street Press's Letterpress Limited Edition of 100 by Eva Jorgensen
and my absolute favorite (that I couldn't seem to find on the drop down list, but saw on the flickr page) was Mire Ink Press's Rule.
I hope i win!
2. olive-route - fav work - Earth Letterpress Print
thanks.
andrea semancik
Tracy
http://unfolding-moment.blogspot.com/
Carolyn here... i am choosing YEE HAW INDUSRIES as my absolute favourite specifically because of the Junior Rangers series of prints.
My daughter Lily is off to camp this summer in Northern Ontario and i think she would LOVE these prints just as much as i do.
2nd choice is night owl paper as their work is adorable! and green.
best,
Carolyn Gavin
From Reservoir Press the Lobster girl card puts a smile on my face and is something I would proudly send to ANYONE I know, including grandparents, strangers and teachers.
And from Robin Beth the Mitzvah is rather elegant with it's wonderful stitching.
Though, none of the pages let me down with hidden gems.
Wood - folksy floral hearts: love the intricate design.
Letterpress - mayan tile violet "thank you"
STARSHAPED PRESS
"The Stars All Lead Me Home"
Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
And Green Chair's Type Collage coasters are just the crackhead lock-up work I admire so!
MUST. WIN. THIS. GIVEAWAY.
My long time favorite letter presser has to be Hijirik.
My second favorite is... Starshaped Press.
Fingers crossed - I hope I win.
Right now I'm loving blues and yellows and anything reminding me of summertime! The playfulness and color of Feathers & Things by Cindy Tomczyk is a definite favorite. And for my other one - A Ship in the Harbor by SeeSaw Designs - I love the sentiment!
my prints du jour are:
Piora i Gatazki (Feathers & Twigs) by Cindy Tomczykwww.cindytomczyk.com
B&W Patterns and Cube "i love you"
www.juliajuliette.com
*allison metz
ametz12@hotmail.com
My two faves are Chair by Amy Stocklein and Yellow Floral by Sycamore Street Press.
My 2 faves are Bespoke Press and Bon Vivant Press- I have been drooling over both their works for some time.
cheers!
Sara
Surgery room by Bon Vivant press stood out right away - I'm into science prints and this one is great
Clocks by Albertine press - gorgeous!
but ...
I would *die* to have the "golden folksy floral rosette" by Night Owl Paper Goods hanging in my house.
Piora i Gatazki (Feathers & Twigs) by Cindy Tomczyk would look fabulous on my wall as well!
I also really love the boxing match posters Yee-Haw Industries did for the US Presidential Elections.
Thanks for the contest Poppytalk!
Ok, my favorite two....Pink Peony by Sara Parrott because I love all things peony and this art is just so delicate. I also love Golden Folksy Floral Rosette by Night Owl Paper Goods because its so layered. Good luck to all! these winners are SO LUCKY!
Piora i Gatazki (Feathers & Twigs) by Cindy Tomczyk
and
Spring by Bird Dog Press
(fingers crossed!)
After whittling it down, my two favourites are Bird in the Clouds by Adam of Yee Haw which reminds me of the view from my hammock and the Dear Dear, Deer Tree, Tree Dear by Trent of See Saw which just tickled me. I was extremely pleased with the fact that one is by Yee Haw and the other by See Saw! I am happily easily pleased!
Green chair press
and PaperStories
Thanks
My faves:
1. Make the numbers dance, by green chair press (I'm obsessed with old type numbers)
2. Bon Vivant Press Surgery Room by Bon Vivant Press
Everyone did a fabulous job, I can't wait to dig deeper into all of your sites and shops!
And I also love everything by 12fifteen. But I absolutely adore the Winter Wonderland print.
Thanks for such a generous giveaway! Crossing my fingers...
But, since I have to follow the rules, my favorites are: 1 - A Ship In the Harbor (Lindsey at See Saw Designs). I think this is so sweet and simple; it has a childlike appeal, but also is something important for us 'grownups' to remember. 2 - Cobalt Print (Sycamore Street Press). I'm cheating a bit because I already have this print, but it makes me happy every morning when I see it, so it's still a favorite!
My two favorites are:
1. I love this stuff (Marshmallow Fluff) by Albertine Press (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26162976)
AND
2. Spring Asparagus by Three Red Hens (http://threeredhens.blogspot.com/2008/03/remember-to-eat-your-vegetables.html)
Hmmm... a food theme. Must be lunch time!
Clearly, I love Sycamore Press. I have loved Yee Haw since buying my first letterpress pieces from them 10 years ago. And I've been coveting Green Chair on Etsy for some tim enow.
Clearly, I love Sycamore Press. I have loved Yee Haw since buying my first letterpress pieces from them 10 years ago. And I've been coveting Green Chair on Etsy for some tim enow.
Also the 'me + you = love 4 bar letterpress card' over at favourite design is lovely!
I love the Panda card at Night Owl Paper Goods and the entire new classic collection at Robin Beth.
meltedcoins@yahoo.com
yee haw-- Alphazomby
oh my gosh, i'd love to win!
Two magnificent pieces:
Albertine Press' letterpress coasters which leverage the graphic beauty of Chinese cut-paper designs and Visual Chemist's blind-embossed Rockwell thanks tag, all elegant simplicity.
I love Elise's Enjoy Designs and Robin Beth.
Thank you!!
Cobalt Print by sycamore streetpress
Iris by Hijirik studio
Ligatures by A. Favorite
Pink Peony by Sara Parrott
Sometimes you just gotta twirl by Enjoy Design
Teapots and Loops by paper stories
and
With each tiny step by Roll & Tumble Press
couldn't pick just one:)
Thank You for this wonderful giveaway.
1. Green Chair Press - Mind your Ps and Qs
2. enjoy design (elisejoy) - 1 - 10 letterpress numbers
I guess I like simplicity!
Thank you!
ottomanhandmade at yahoo dot com
My 2 fav's were enjoy design and green chair press because of their wonderful use of typography!
Wind Powered Wishes by Visualchemist
Yellow Floral by Sycamore Street Press
Antlers by Zara Gonzalez
This was an amazing idea and a great way for all of us to be inspired by beautiful work. Thank you.
Spring by Bird Dog Press
Unfinished American by Mark Maroney (Mire Ink Press)
starshaped press and
Green Chair Press
Thank you and good luck to us all!
Night Owl Press: "i love you" letterpress card.
Green Chair Press: Pine Cone Coaster Set
the sycamore club
& hijirik design studio!!
{but honestly i love them all so much!!}
thanks for this amazing opportunity!
two favorites are night owl paper goods' gorgeous "golden folksy floral rosette" because i could never get tired of looking at it... and a. favorite's "ligatures" because it's incredibly clever and sweet.
yes!
Night Owl Paper Goods &
Sycamore Street Press.
My fingers are crossed!!!
Heather
From Night Owl Paper Goods, I love all of their wooden cards, espeically the Owl Love You Forever.
And from Hijirk Design Studio, the Iris Print is so pretty. I love irises, so I alwasys love when people make them art!!
Green Chair Press : Around the Block
I have two of her prints already, but am geeked about this one b/c I'm a bit of a map nerd.
12fifteen: feathery Indian Summer print
Love all of the coasters, too!
Cheers!
Heather
info@maida-vale.com
from Parrott Design Studio:
Peony and Bee Letterpress Print
(beautiful color/intricate design)
and....
Hijirik Design Studio:
Live What You Love print
(bold design-great impact!)
Long Live Letterpress!!!!!
May you never be "out of sorts"!!!
Sycamore Street Press: May '08 Letterpress Limited Edition of 100. 8x10" Original Print. Eva Jorgensen
Roll & Tumble Press: Winsome Girl letterpress art print
My favourites are Onward & Upward by Angela of See Saw Designs and the iris print from Hijirik.
indeed Wow, Wow and Wow...
I really love a lot of the stuff from Robin Beth, but I couldn't find any specific names to her specific works, so I'm going to go with olive-route's "Home Sweet Home" card from the etsy shop. I really like the sparse use of color. Looking at it makes me feel, well, literally at home, and comfortable and warm during a snow day.
I love that Front Room Press selected a Ben Jonson quote instead of a Shakespeare quote and that Reservoir Press' moon image has such dimension. But my two favorite pieces are "Unfinished American" by Mire Ink Press, which reminds me of Nashville's Hatch Show Print work, and "Bon Vivant Press Surgery Room" by Bon Vivant Press, which has great color registration and I love the scalpel/tweezer details.
I really loved Zara's A Whale of a Tale and Water Otter over at Night Owl Paper Goods.
There are so many beautiful things.
I just found this blog. I love it.
This is such an awesome giveaway!!
OK. I love Sycamore Streets Blue Patterned garden print, and Green Chair Press' Alphabet in Green print.
There are so many fabulous letterpressed beauties out there, all waiting to be felt!
great idea
emilia
emilia.fuller (@) gmail (.) com
I have been a fan of Delphine Press and for a second favorite it was hard to choose but I finally settled on Night Owl Paper.
I also love Olive Route's Lantern postcard. I imagine a party where everyone arrives with their invite and it's tacked up alongside all the others as the party decor.
Again, thank you!
Christi
I love the leaf stitch green note cards from Night Owl Paper Goods and Antlers by Zara Gonzalez (Seven Color Days). But it doesn't look like Zara has an online store, does she?
I've been a great fan of the Green Chair press for a while now - so it goes without saying i'm picking their print.
In the same spirit of playing with type and letters, i'll also pick "ligatures" by A. Favorite.
Awesome!
BM
Anyway in amongst the ones I already know of I found a few new gems. My faves
12Fifteen - Hello Spring/Goodbye Winter (love the indian summer print on their site.)
Mire Ink Press - Rule fantastic.
I could honestly write something about nearly all of them. Fantastic work everyone.
bespoke press was my first introduction to letterpress only a few short months ago...and for me, just down the road. i'm truly in love with their work.
and sycamore st press - a little discovery of mine as I searched for more lovely works done via this beautiful old artform.
what a very generous give-away and what fabulously talented artists.
Ingrid
the letterpress limited edition of 100 5x7", eva jorgensen is beautiful!
also, i loved campidoglio card on bon vivant.
what a great give away! thanks for sharing!
what fun!!!
The Diamond Dot Aqua letterpress cards and Wood Grain Walnut letterpress cards are AMAZING!!
12fifteen -
The Indian Summer two print (OMG... the colors are Fabulous!) and the Ready for Spring print.