This blog has moved, sorry for the lack of posts but you’ll find a few fresh posts and new home for the Faye & Co blog here: http://www.fayeandco.com/news/ – hope you continue to follow!

Artwork above Copyright 2011. Faye & Co. Illustrated by Diane Faye Zerr.

View all of the photos from my book on my Flickr page. All photos were taken with my iPhone, I didn’t want to focus on taking professional photos, so apologies for the quality.

I’ve been trying my hand at screen printing. Well, I got the screen thing down, but not the printing part yet. I’ve been testing out different graphics and this is the first one that worked. Although it’s so muddy looking. Anyone wanna offer me some advice?

Getting organized. This pin board helps me keep track of all the lovely people who are trusting me with their stationery needs.

I drew this for a baby shower client, but didn’t even present it because I completely forget about it. Perhaps another time? I just adore this guy.

And lastly, I’m going to be offering custom rubber stamps featuring my custom lettering and illustrations! All parts will be made in Pennsylvania. The handle samples (as seen above) were spot-on and created by a local craftsmen – he’s the best! And I have a local company who will be creating the custom stamps. I’m so proud to offer a completely American made product, and even more proud that they are Pennsylvania made. Pricing will vary but smaller stamps will start at $25 and return address stamps (like the one below) will cost around $50. I’ll have more samples soon!

Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen is a non-profit organization that encourages the practice of and nurture excellence in heritage and contemporary crafts. From fine art fairs and a full retail space to workshops and classes, the guild has a mission that the making of craft enriches all.

The site is cleanly designed and easy to navigate.  It’s got all the expected features of a modern website (tie-ins to social networking pages, e-mail list signup, calendar of coming events), without being flashy.

Not only is it great for the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen to receive such great feedback with taking a risk on a more modern design, but it’s also great that it’s being received exactly as planned. I am overjoyed and so happy to share the newly launched pacrafts.org

When this client emailed me, my response was “You had me at koi.” Kelly and Joseph liked the tattoo invitations that I can create, but they wanted a set that revolved around koi fish. Wouldn’t you say yes too?! I was so pleased with the results and this time, and I was able to use a gray as the stock color rather than white.

I’m working on some pretty fun invites for a birthday party and thought I would share my process throughout. So here are some of the thumbnails and sketches I’ve been working on. I’ll write more posts of work that’s in progress. I think it helps explain what a designer does from day to day, ideas don’t just flow from our heads to the computer and then to the printer (at least not ALL of us). Some have a tried and true process, and this is part of mine.

Far from perfect, but all give me a good sense of layout. Some I like to add color, or completely line in ink. But others I like to leave as is, usually due to size or some other reason.

So what has been going on in my sketchbook lately? A lot of this.

… and this, and that.

Working on some very fun tattoo save the dates and invitations. And while I’m at it, my invitations for Jessica & Jared are on Oh So Beautiful Paper!!!

While working with a great couple on their upcoming wedding stationery, they wanted to entice their guests with a unique save the date. The package featured a scroll with calligraphy that read “Eat this date, but please save ours”, and a date treat inside of a paper box with a custom insert to keep the two pieces separate.

The guests’ first impression was a small box wrapped with a decorative paper and label that helps set the tone for their wedding day. It gives the guests a taste of what’s to come and leaves them wanting more.