If you are a dog person, you are in the majority. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 51% of US households — numbering some 68 million! — own a dog. And for this community, canine stationery is all about capturing that special bond on paper for posterity.
Just ask Liz Huller Eisemann, whose range Gilmore & Friends creates an instant, irresistible connection with dog lovers. What sets this range apart? “Every illustration is hand drawn with care like a page in a picture book,” Liz wrote me. “There’s a sense of mischief, and sweetness in each design that reflects real moments and real dogs.”
Liz graciously took my questions so we could learn more.
SS: “What began as a fun project with a very long dachshund puppy at my feet and a brand
new iPad has blossomed into a greeting card and gift business,” you write on your site. I
would love to learn more about how Gilmore & Friends was born.
LE: It all started with the app Draw Something. It’s is a mobile drawing and guessing game that is essentially turn-based Pictionary. I played every day with people around the world, and discovered I could draw well with my finger on my iPad and phone.
So, Gilmore & Friends began with a puppy at my feet, a new iPad, an old Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree in printmaking (I have always been in love with paper) and a lifelong habit of making
art. It was as simple as that. The website and card design grew organically out of my new creative expression. I am chronicling the mostly imaginary adventures of Gilmore the Dachshund, and every
illustration tells a part of that story.
SS: I know every breed has its devotees, what drew you to dachshunds? And I want to hear
about Gilmore and why you clearly love him so.
LE: I grew up with a wire-haired fox terrier named Tinker, she is one of the dogs in some of Gilmore’s adventures. When I moved to California, I started working in an animal shelter and eventually became a veterinary technician specializing in neurology. That meant we saw a lot of dachshunds, since their long backs can make them prone to spinal issues. After falling in love with one of my longtime patients I was hooked on dachshunds.
Serendipitously, when I met my husband, he had a 4-year-old dachshund named Rudder. After Rudder passed and we were ready for another dog my husband went in search of the biggest dachshund he could find. Along came Gilmore, one of the longest dachshunds anyone has ever seen!
Gilmore is definitely something special. He came into our lives with all the makings of a great muse: long velvety ears that touched the ground, an opinionated and stubborn streak, a very lovable nature, and the perfect face for a greeting card. His personality — and especially the way he sleeps — have all made their way into my illustrations.
Everything I draw is filled with a little bit of Gilmore’s playful, sweet, and sometimes goofy personality. Gilmore, along with all the animal friends we have made, has inspired not only my drawings but the mischievous spirit of Gilmore & Friends.
SS: What are your bestsellers? Why do you think that it is?
LE: Some of my bestsellers are:
— Is He Behind Me? The expression on the dog’s face on this holiday card says everything. It
is simple, funny, and is how I imagine holiday chaos.
— Feel Better Kisses. It works for anyone going through something, whether it is a
cold or a far bigger illness. The message feels personal and comforting.
— Happy Birthday Faith. Faith is a client’s dog that I have drawn many times. This card is not complicated it says Happy Birthday with a burst color and good wishes.
— Special Delivery. This love & friendship card is versatile and perfect for just about any
occasion.
I think my bestsellers do well because of the attention to detail. The cards are whimsical,
hand-drawn illustrations, full of mischief, a little bit of mayhem, and always tons of JOY!
Even the backs of the cards are almost always as delightful as the fronts.
SS: What is your favorite card and why?
LE: Every new card feels like my favorite when I finish it. But if I had to name a few that really
stand out:
— No one told Dexter the sheet was supposed to be white! I love this Halloween card. It
always makes me laugh. The dogs in the illustration, Toby the dachshund, Geoffrey the
Great Dane, and Dexter the mix, are real dogs and real friends of Gilmore’s, which makes it
special.
— Life can be hard. I like the sweet connection between the two characters on this love & friendship card. They are clearly very different but are always there for each other.
— Text Me Back, Bitch. I Miss You! The drawing cracks me up. The color palette on this encouragement card is very different from my usual, which I love, and the message is direct but affectionate.
SS: Can you give us a hint of what you are working on?
LE: My studio somehow turned into a small mountain of adorable greeting cards, pins and key
fobs so I’ve expanded from ecommerce into maker markets and wholesale. It’s been really exciting to see Gilmore & Friends showing up in shops. I’m also working on expanding “The Dirty Dachshund” line, wink wink, my adults-only collection. The Dirty Dachshund is filled with cheeky wiener dog jokes that make everyone laugh, whether they are die-hard dachshund fans or just need a good laugh.
SS: I would love to learn more about Goodwill Gilmore, your charitable “paw” that gives to
various charities. How do you decide which to partner with, and are any particularly close
to your heart? Why?
LE: Goodwill Gilmore began when a dog rescue group reached out for a donation, and I
happily sent them a greeting card mystery pack. I haven’t said no since. I’m grateful that
Gilmore & Friends gives me a way to support causes I care about.
One design that is especially close to my heart is my Rainbow Doxie Collection, which I
created to celebrate the beautiful differences between us. I have been lucky in life to know
and love people whose stories are different from mine. I truly believe it is easier to be kind
than to hate. Hate doesn’t help anyone.
I was looking for a charity to connect with my Rainbow Collection, and a friend’s child had
recently come out as transgender. I asked if there was a specific organization they supported. That led me to TransFamily Support Services in San Diego. I donated proceeds from Rainbow Doxies to them before moving to Texas from California four years ago. Now I share profits and products with The Montrose Center and Parents of Trans Youth, Houston.
Another ongoing charitable project is Cape Cod Doxie Day. Doxie Day is a wienerfest held
on Cape Cod. Every year they choose a new local animal charity to support. I created tons
of illustrations for their event catalog and loved every minute of it, especially because I
spent many summers on Cape Cod and it is a great excuse to go back and visit!
SS: Where would you like your brand to be in 5 years?
LE: I am happy drawing every day in my delightful, sunshine-filled studio. I want to have sales
reps, more licensing deals, and a small inhouse team so I can focus on drawing and design.
I believe Gilmore & Friends is a brand for everyone, not just dachshund lovers. My studio is
tucked away in the middle of a marina with very little foot traffic, but almost everyone who
happens upon me walks away with three or more cards, some stickers, and a big smile.
Most of my in-person customers do not have a dachshund or even a dog. Gilmore & Friends
makes people smile, and sometimes laugh out loud. That is what I hope it continues to do, just on a bigger scale.
Thank you so much Liz for taking my questions! Nerds in the wild, shop this star seller here. If you are in the trade, you can become a stockist here, and Gilmore & Friends will also be participating in Faire Summer Market July 15-20. I hear there will be a lot of newness, so don’t miss out!
