Featured Seller: In Haus Press

inhauspress

Story by inhauspress

Published on Sept 19, 2011 in Shop

Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Treasa, and James and I own In Haus Press, a little letterpress studio in San Francisco. I’m a former pastry chef with a background in graphic design, but I was always more interested in designing packaging and business cards for my pastry business than baking itself. When we received our Adana 8 x 5 letterpress last year, everything fell into place and I was finally able to do what I’ve always dreamed of: building a business around designing and printing.

What would be the title of your memoir? Why?
Maybe Make Ready? It refers to the press preparations that go into a letterpress run.

Where does your inspiration come from?
I’m inspired by little, everyday things — parts of conversations and thoughts that stick in my head. Fashion and nature also play big roles in my stationery lines.

What does handmade mean to you?
I’d like to think that handmade represents exceptional quality. When I hear the term “handmade,” I think of one-of-a-kind pieces that have more attention to detail than something that comes from a factory line.

Who has been most influential in your craft?
My friends and family are definitely the most influential. Especially my James, who surprised me with our first press last year.

When did you know you were an artist/maker?
I don’t know that there was an exact moment when I knew I wanted to design things — I just knew that I was happiest when I was doing just that.

How would you describe your creative process?
Once I have an idea for something, there’s really no stopping the creative process until I’ve turned the idea into a tangible object. That’s the best feeling.

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be?
Joe Rawnsley, one of the first pattern designers for Pendelton Woolen Mills.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?
My printing press bench (which, in its other life, used to be my pastry bench). It’s made from the butcher block of the now-demolished Esprit Headquarters here in San Francisco.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?
Usually, I have to step away from the computer and do something completely different to inspire new ideas. Getting out of the city for a weekend and exploring new places helps immensely.

Where would you like to be in ten years?
Still printing, hopefully in a different studio with an attached storefront, and teaching marketing strategies to small business owners.

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