FROM STAGE PROPS TO VINTAGE STYLE CHRISTMAS CARDS
I have always loved Christmas, especially the Christmas of yesteryear, particularly the 1920's to 1960's. There is something very special about those memories and images. Like my mother, I always celebrated the season sending out dozens of Christmas cards. About 15 years ago, one of my good friends started sending real vintage Christmas cards that had made it through time, unused. I was entranced and began doing the same. Unfortunately, while searching for old/unused cards, I found that they are not that easy to obtain in quantities and at a price that was feasible to send out my typical 100 cards per year.
For a few years, I had been creating stage props for local community theaters in Maine. Many of these props were paper: realistic versions of currency, marriage certificates, vintage airline tickets, legal papers, dance cards, posters and signage, etc. I suddenly realized that I could learn to make my own vintage styled cards.
I began simply and slowly, gathering old cards, iconic images, editing, coloring, learning how to lay them out, altering or creating verses, etc., and then printing them at home. At first, they were only for my own use. But I was so happy with the reception they were receiving. As I learned more, I tried new techniques and created different styles of cards, using honeycomb tissue, foil inserts, and hand razor cutting. More recently, I have discovered 1930's single sided cards with lined envelopes and almost two foot long pull out cards. I create and print all of them in my home studio in Maine, and now, all of these are represented in my shop.
I continue to learn and experiment. Please take a look around and let me know what you think. I will be adding items as time permits. MERRY CHRISTMAS..................
