Have you noticed?! There is just this huge surge of interest in both making and investing in beautiful handcrafted things. It’s as though the Creative Universe is suddenly humming very, very loudly. One “almost lost” artform that has made a major comeback is Letterpress printing. Actually, maybe artform isn’t the correct word as letterpress, or “movable type” was the way that all printing was done for centuries. Maybe it is the people that are working in this wonderfully tactile medium now who have moved letterpress from purely functional to just fabulous. Of course, it is still used to create functional items, such as notecards and classy invitations, but there’s more (calendars, coasters, framed art)-and the designs and colors are divine.

Take this selection from Elum, for instance. Wouldn’t you love to have these on a wall, or carved into a piece of furniture? I am especially partial to the greyhound pattern as I am lucky enough to have one of those special dogs in my life. The great online source for all things lovely and handcrafted is Etsy, and there is lots there. Check out Paper Stories, Papered Together, Bellis Studios, and Green Chair Press, to name just a few. If you want to explore this as a creative outlet for yourself, check out Five Roses and Letterpress Things. Also check out Kathleen’s blog, cake + pie!