{shop} {blog} {twitter}

Blushing Pearl is one of those paper shops that just oozes loveliness and you can tell that each item is made with high attention to detail, talent and care.  The shop is full of beautifully designed letterpress note cards, special occasion cards, calling cards, coasters, tags and more!  It probably helps that Marsinah, the artist behind the shop, is a designer as well!  I am lucky enough to own some of her letterpress stationery myself, and I must say, besides the amazing designs she creates, the stationery is printed on pillowy, cotton fiber paper, talk about high quality softness right there!  Sometimes I feel guilty writing on such nice paper, hehe, but I do it anyways!  😉  Marsinah (did I tell you I love her name?) is so cute, fashionable, and sweet and you would know it from by following her {blog} and {twitter}!  But here’s a little interview of Marsinah to get to know her better, read on!

{MEET THE DESIGNER}

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a graphic designer who loves to be hands-on with my artwork. I used to work in the fashion industry in Los Angeles, CA, but have recently become a transplant to the Pacific Northwest. My letterpress studio is in my garage. I love street art, the city life, coconut flavored anything, the ocean, taking photos of my surroundings and traveling. I am a sucker for cupcakes, all things cute and quirky.

2) How did you get started in design/letterpressing?
I fell in love with graphic design as a senior in high school. I knew since then, I wanted to surround myself with art. I took fine art studio courses at Cal State Long Beach with an emphasis in the graphic arts. A fiber arts instructor introduced me to the art of letterpress and bookbinding. I took a few of her classes after college and once the opportunity came to open up my own shop, I jumped right in!

3) Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I love to take photos of anything that inspires me- from architecture to typographical signage, random textural patterns or people. You can view some pictures in my flickr account under “surroundings” – http://ow.ly/2XjCc
I also draw inspiration from my culture and of the cultures around me…

4) Have any advice for new shop owners?
Take it one day at a time. That to-do list may  seem overwhelming, but patience is definitely key! Quality is better than quantity and most people appreciate that..Also, there is a plethora of support online via twitter peeps and blogs. Make some new friends and watch your business grow!

5) What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
This is a tough one!  I have a few faves: Pistachio, chocolate chip cookie dough (for the dough of course!), amaretto, rocky road….

{GIVEAWAY}

Blushing Pearl is offering a sample set of holiday cards and tags to ONE LUCKY WINNER!  Thanks so much Marsinah!  Why oh why can I never enter my own giveaways?  😉

(1) Bejeweled blank card, A2 with ice blue envelope
(1) Dear Santa flat note, A2 with khaki envelope
(2) Peace, Love, and Winter gift tags
(2) Cozy Knit gift tags

How to Enter:

1. Visit Blushing Pearl and leave a comment with your favorite item!

For additional entries (please leave separate comment for each action):
2. Follow this blog with Google Friend Connect on right (if you already do, please let me know)
3. Follow Blushing Pearl blog with Google Friend Connect (if you already do, please let me know)
4. Follow @BlushingPearl on twitter (if you already do, please let me know)
5. Tweet about this giveaway (make sure to use @sandyalamode and @BlushingPearl in your tweet)

Feel free to use this tweet:
Still need some holiday cards and tags? Enter the @BlushingPearl letterpress paper #GIVEAWAY on @sandyalamode! http://bit.ly/e9YHY2

This giveaway is open to U.S./Canada readers only and closes on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 5PM CST.

Entries for this giveaway have been closed.  Thanks!