So, full disclosure: February is my least favorite month of the year for too many reasons to get into here, but fortunately this February just flew harmlessly by. The fact that I had not one but two fantastic work trips helped a lot: first I went to NYC for NY NOW and Shoppe Object, and then I had a quick one-day jaunt to Detroit to judge the Louie Awards.
As tiring as all that road tripping can be, seeing so much great design, to say nothing of so many of my favorite paper nerds, is keeping me inspired and invigorated. With all that rushing around however I somehow missed a week to share a maker, so today I only have three makers for you. First up is Zaria Cards, founded by the beautiful mother-daughter team that is N’jeri Agyeman and Serwa Kenyetta.
The two named their brand for the Nigerian City Zaria, which dates back to the 11th Century and was also known as Zazzau or Zegzeg. From culture to culture and generation to generation, Zaria has gained a multitude of meanings and has symbolized blossom, light, and radiance, to name just a few.
Together N’jeri and Serwa have created a charming, unapologetic range that feels like whoever just sent it to you, drew it just for you. These two are unafraid to color outside the lines, and their unflinching cards celebrate every last one of our imperfections.
Next, meet Yardia.
Yardia is one of those ranges that invites you look a little deeper than usual at the world around you, and as such, it has completely captured my heart in its relatively brief existence. The brainchild of Brigida Swanson, her mission is to create art to help people love our planet and express all our intersectional identities.
Brigida is a Seattle multiracial CHamoru watercolor artist who creates Pacific Northwest-inspired cards, gifts and home decor for gardeners, hikers and nature lovers to lose themselves in and share with loved ones. She has build Yardia upon five core values: nature, creativity, empathy, belonging, and harmony. But don’t take my word for it — I think the below snapshots I took of one of her work at NY NOW illustrates this wonderfully!
Rounding out my February trio is Paper Baristas. If you are not familiar with this exquisite brand, it’s time to change all that.
If the spellbinding sentiments and distinctive presentation doesn’t enchant you, this marvelous maker’s commitment to fair trade and upcycling definitely will.
I am really loving seeing Christy’s work (to say nothing of her color palette) evolve. I took the images below at NY NOW; these notes evoke the idea of a special, one-of-a-kind missive prepared just for you — which of course each is!
These are but three makers to discover in the vibrant Greeting Card Association community. Get involved here — and I hope to see you next month in person at *Noted!
