Every so often, we commission an Etsy seller to design custom kits. We send these kits out as Etsy handmade press packs, in promos, and as gifties for Etsy contest winners and the like. We make everything in limited edition here at the Labs and at the artist's studio.


We chose Rebecca from Moontreepress to design some killer letterpress items for us, along a woodgrain motif. This kit includes a tshirt, pinback button, letterpressed notebook, postcard, bio, and these special _____.etsy.com businesscards. The whole thing comes in a screenprinted Etsy box. It's been a wonderful experience collaborating with Moontreepress. She even came down to the Labs to show us how to do the binding on the notebooks. We made a little How-to about it.

Before Moontreepress, we'd commissioned Matty8080, who came out to visit the Labs from Milwaukee.

We choose the Etsy Commissioned Artist based on what we see as their clear, unique style and ability to make a high quality product. The seller may be new to Etsy or relatively seasoned. We are just starting with this program, but we're hoping to represent the many different types of art and craft on Etsy. So far, the response has been great.

You can see more photos of the press kit here!

Here's a more in-depth interview with Rebecca about her experiences working as a full-time maker and the process of designing the kits.

Describe how you decided to express yourself with the work you did for Etsy promo materials. How does it relate to the work you usually do? What do you think of the Etsy Labs?

The wood grain design idea for the Etsy promo pieces sprung from my first meeting with Matt and Vanessa over at the Etsy offices. We were having a conversation about scoring paper (when you create a crease in heavy stock so it'll fold without breaking the grain). For example, before cutting down your paper for a project you need to know which direction the paper grain lays so you can get a good score, i.e. along the grain instead of against it. Since grain direction also plays an important role in woodworking, we immediately thought it would be a good jumping off point for the design. Also I'm really attracted to anything woodsy or botantical in my design...so it seemed like a good common ground. The Etsy lab space really inspired me, too. It's a place where you can bring in your own projects but also get easily inspired by different mediums all around you.


What kind of graphic arts jobs do you do? You're working full time as an artist...

I'm a full-time letterpress printer. Actually I work every day of the week. In previous jobs I absolutely never took work home with me, but once I started printing I never really went off the clock. It's definitely hard work but I really enjoy it.

What do you think about the differences between having complete creative control over your work, working in collaboration, and doing work for hire?

Right now I have a balance of all three of these, and I think the variety is important. Of course, I love developing my own ideas and working through that process, but it's also extremely helpful for me to break away from that and collaborate, or just print a straight "work for hire" job. I've had the chance to work with some incredible designers, and they push me to try a direction I wouldn't dream up on my own.

What advice would you give to people (especially young people or those wanting to make a big change in their lives) who want to get into this field?

I think the most valuable lessons I've learned have come from mistakes I've made, whether on the press or in running a small business. It's important to be comfortable in the learning process and not just expect to be able to be do everything right from day one. In the beginning I expected that as long as my work was good, the business would run itself. And that's just not true at all. You need to be incredibly practical in order to succeed with a business. It's something I'll probably never stop working on. But as far as straight business advice, I'll repeat what I heard over and over - have a business plan. Create some clear goals and pay attention to what's going on around you. It's fun to get totally absorbed into your creative work, but if you can't pay rent at the end of the month you're not going to get very far...

Who are your mentors? Who helped you break into the field? What words of advice did you receive?

My professional mentors are just the people I know or have known in my life who love their jobs. I feel like I'm so much happier and content in every other part of my life when I'm happy at work, and I learned that by watching other people.

What specific materials and tools do you use? What's your favorite thing about these?

My main tool is my press. I've been working on it for two years now and it still amazes me. By now when something isn't working I know it's me and not a problem with the machine. It's pretty humbling at times. :)

What other artists have influenced your work? Do you see yourself as operating in relation to a larger tradition or school or do you see yourself as an iconoclast? What do you share with these other artists?

I'm just working as a tiny part within the larger tradition of printmaking, of course. I'm not breaking any new ground in the field of letterpress, just doing what I've been taught to do and trying to improve with each new job.

How has the internet influenced or not influenced your art? The way you do your art? What are the pros and cons of this distribution? or how has digital media influenced how your work is distributed?

The internet has certainly affected my ability to run a business. I'm in a private studio and not a storefront, so having an online presence is major for me. As for the internet affecting my art, I guess we're all just exposed to so much more creativity though the internet. Everyday I click through my favorite blogs and design sites, and I can't help but think that affects my work.

Do you think about your audience when you're working? What sort of interesting feedback do you get from your audience? Etsy members?

Since I do mostly custom work, I always think about my clients as I work on their projects. I try to clear my thoughts as much as possible and just focus on the work. The finished product is always better when I'm in the moment while working on it.

Do you use reference art? Where do you get inspired?

I get inspired by all sorts of things. A nice day, a beautiful movie, a gorgeous store, etc. My favorite New York City spots are Takashimaya, St. Bart's Church, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Botanical Garden...just to name a few.