Meet the Maker: Amber Favorite of a. favorite design
Welcome to the first of our "Meet the Maker" series! We're so excited for you to meet some of our favorite artists, artisans, and makers.
First up, in honor of National Letter Writing Month, we are featuring Amber Favorite of a. favorite design. Amber is one of our most favorite letterpress designers, whose cards may be pretty familiar to you if you shop at our store. Our card wall is home to many a. favorite design greeting cards, all of which are beautifully designed, super fun to give and receive, and sometimes even a little cheeky.
We asked Amber to answer a few questions for us. Enjoy!
Where are you from, and where do you live now?
AF: I grew up in Sandwich, Illinois but feel much more at home in my current city, Chicago.
AF: I grew up in Sandwich, Illinois but feel much more at home in my current city, Chicago.
How did you get started in your trade?
AF: It was pretty organic. I attended a vocational high school and learned the basics of graphic design, as well as running a one-color printing press. In college I studied graphic design and was introduced to letterpress printing in my typography class. I was instantly smitten. The beautiful, antique machinery, the individual letters, the smell of ink - it was magic! During college I designed for an agency, and afterward I became a Senior Designer at a corporate paper company. I was restless and had always wanted to work for myself so I started freelancing. I didn't like the feast or famine finances of freelance so to help, I found a job at a stationery shop. I learned of community letterpress classes and enrolled, volunteered, and spent as much time as possible learning letterpress and fine-tuning my craft. I started creating cards to sell at the store. I learned quickly that people liked my work. Within three years I stopped freelancing and my retail job, and started working full-time on a. favorite design.
AF: It was pretty organic. I attended a vocational high school and learned the basics of graphic design, as well as running a one-color printing press. In college I studied graphic design and was introduced to letterpress printing in my typography class. I was instantly smitten. The beautiful, antique machinery, the individual letters, the smell of ink - it was magic! During college I designed for an agency, and afterward I became a Senior Designer at a corporate paper company. I was restless and had always wanted to work for myself so I started freelancing. I didn't like the feast or famine finances of freelance so to help, I found a job at a stationery shop. I learned of community letterpress classes and enrolled, volunteered, and spent as much time as possible learning letterpress and fine-tuning my craft. I started creating cards to sell at the store. I learned quickly that people liked my work. Within three years I stopped freelancing and my retail job, and started working full-time on a. favorite design.
What would you say is the hardest part of your trade?
AF: Hardest part of my trade? Hmmmm... It's not trade specific but the general day-to-day of running a business is time consuming and sometimes challenging. Originally I thought I'd be a designer who has a letterpress business. Instead I've become a letterpress business owner who sometimes designs.
AF: Hardest part of my trade? Hmmmm... It's not trade specific but the general day-to-day of running a business is time consuming and sometimes challenging. Originally I thought I'd be a designer who has a letterpress business. Instead I've become a letterpress business owner who sometimes designs.
Where do you gather inspiration?
AF: An easier question would be where DON'T I. I'm a sponge for creativity and ideas. I have journals and notes everywhere with little snippets of ideas. My most favorite place to gather ideas is walking around flea markets. They're filled with the most amazing color schemes, typography designs and creations.
AF: An easier question would be where DON'T I. I'm a sponge for creativity and ideas. I have journals and notes everywhere with little snippets of ideas. My most favorite place to gather ideas is walking around flea markets. They're filled with the most amazing color schemes, typography designs and creations.
What has been the most rewarding part of owning your own business?
AF: Knowing my creations make others feel loved. I appreciate hearing from customers how they've shared my cards and the recipients keep them on a mirror, refrigerator or memo board. Those stories make me smile.
AF: Knowing my creations make others feel loved. I appreciate hearing from customers how they've shared my cards and the recipients keep them on a mirror, refrigerator or memo board. Those stories make me smile.
If you could meet anyone, who would it be and why?
AF: There are so many inspiring people! How do you choose? Joanna Gaines, maybe? Wait! Oprah would be great. No, no, Ellen, she makes me laugh and cry daily. What about Barack Obama? His leadership and compassion amaze me. Oh but there's also Jack White. Ugh. I can't choose just one. I'm in awe of each of those people. Amazing humans who have dedicated their lives to helping their communities, inspiring other people and creating continually while collaborating and building others up, those are the people I want to meet and be surrounded by.
AF: There are so many inspiring people! How do you choose? Joanna Gaines, maybe? Wait! Oprah would be great. No, no, Ellen, she makes me laugh and cry daily. What about Barack Obama? His leadership and compassion amaze me. Oh but there's also Jack White. Ugh. I can't choose just one. I'm in awe of each of those people. Amazing humans who have dedicated their lives to helping their communities, inspiring other people and creating continually while collaborating and building others up, those are the people I want to meet and be surrounded by.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
AF: Spend time with my Mr. and Scooby-Doo, our adopted pup. Especially outside, we love the outdoors, and flea markets! If it's sunny and there's a market, I'm in.
AF: Spend time with my Mr. and Scooby-Doo, our adopted pup. Especially outside, we love the outdoors, and flea markets! If it's sunny and there's a market, I'm in.
What is your favorite advice?
AF:Never underestimate the power of a smile.
AF:Never underestimate the power of a smile.
Check out a few of her cards (and pencils!) in our web store, or stop in at our shop for the full selection!
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