Constellation & Co.

Hello Summer Interns

Sara McNally — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:13:53 +0000

This quote from the talk I gave last year for Creative Mornings sums up pretty perfectly why we love having interns. It’s SO exciting to see our interns learn about printing & small business and head out into the world to pursue their own passions. It’s hugely encouraging for us, and beneficial for them. I remember too clearly what it was like to be in school (or newly graduated) and trying to get a foot in the door. We love being that door. It’s an investment in people and an investment in our industry. And we are super blessed to have really talented people want to work with us! Without further ado, i’ll let our summer trio introduce themselves!

Hi there! My name is Sarah and I’m a Graphic Design major at Cornish College of the Arts. I studied previously at Santa Barbara City College and transfered to Cornish to finally fill my longing for Northwest weather, outdoors and city life. There’s no better place to be creative than in a rainy city (and the conveniently accessible wilderness areas all around Seattle!). Most of my hobbies and interests play into my design work: hiking, camping, reading (currently finishing “Seven Years in Tibet”, by Heinrich Harrer), book binding, illustrating, and, my personal favorite, collaging. I like to try to keep my mind open to different possibilities in design, and the best inspiration for me is nature. Printmaking and type-setting seem to be the perfect middle ground for the graphic designer who is an artist at heart. I never could decide what title really fits best for me. I’m greatly appreciative of this opportunity to work with Constellation Co., and can’t wait to get started! As a side-note, I recently adopted an adorable 7 week old Jack Russell Terrier named Arrow, who sleeps almost all the time and melts my heart. Pretty much overrides my other hobbies for the time being! (You can follow along with Sarah’s internship on her blog!)

Hi, my name is Sam! I am a student at Cornish College of the Arts entering my Junior year. I love any design work made by hand, including hand lettering and letterpress (of course)! I love the outdoors and I’m a northwestern girl at heart. When I’ve got free time I explore quirky Seattle shops, bike, read, cook, and try to find houseplants to add to my collection. I love design that has an element of handwork and I feel like Constellation & Co is the perfect place to learn about how to work with clients and incorporate printing techniques into the actual design process. I am super excited to work with the other interns (Sarah and Lyndsey are going to be great!) and Constellation crew to create some beautiful client work and hopefully learn about a small business. There is so much for me to learn this summer and I am so excited about it! (You can follow along with Sam’s internship on her blog!)

Hi there! My name is Lyndsey. I’m a senior studying graphic design at RISD and have one semester left until graduation. The Seattle area is home to me and I can’t wait to move back permanently. I’m an internet and TV addict; but then again, who isn’t nowadays? I love to learn new techniques in design and letterpress is something that has really stood out to me. There’s nothing like designing with your hands, especially when you are used to staring at a computer screen all day. I am so stoked to work with Sara and the rest of the team at Constellation & Co! It’s going to be a great summer. (You can follow along with Lyndsey’s internship on her blog!)

Our Very Own Iron Handpress

Sara McNally — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:00:12 +0000

A few weeks ago, we took a road trip to the great white north (Vancouver) and brought home a new member of the Constellation family! Meet Wendy, our Washington-style Reliance iron handpress. She’s from the early 1900′s and in beautiful condition. (And possibly the coolest thing that’s ever been listed on Craigslist!) Her bed size is 16″ x 21″ and we are so excited about printing posters in house! We’re working on Wendy’s inaugural broadside, and will be sure to share it with you soon. Here are some photos of the big move:

The lovely Canadian gentleman who sold us the press

On the road in Carl’s van

Wendy emerges from the van in our alley

Wendy on the move

The strongest guys I know!

Wendy all back together / Illustrated Diagram from Printing with the Handpress by Lewis M. Allen

Photos by Ben Vandermeer

In Progress

Sara McNally — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 03:48:18 +0000

The other day I was looking through our archive of photos and stumbled upon a folder titled “In Progress.” It had photos of our old studio, our press moves, refurbishing projects, etc. The photos made me feel rather nostalgic. Looking at them reminded me of our beginnings and how exciting (and scary!) every step of this journey has been. I’ve been feeling a bit discouraged, so it was a really sweet encouragement to look back and see how far we’ve come. We’ve made a ton of progress, and continue to forge onward. I didn’t share many of these photos when they were taken, but i’ll share them now. They’re an honest look at the messy side of things, and I really kind of like them right about now!

The epic 619 crack

Putting up our first sign

Our dear friends (now all parents!) helping to paint & sweep

Josephine as she sat when we bought her

Carl helping to move in our first press

The move from 619 Western to 57 Biscayne

Our 57 Biscayne studio with its odd paint job

Sanding the floors late at night

We just purchased and moved in a beautiful new iron handpress, so we’ll be sharing new photos of the studio soon!

Welcome, Spring Interns!

Sara McNally — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 23:18:37 +0000

Hello blog folks! I’m pleased to introduce not one but two fabulous Spring interns to you! We had a huge amount of interest in our Spring internship this year, and were thrilled to snag these lovely Seattle Pacific University students to work with us. Both ladies are majoring in Visual Communication and minoring in Business – which is a rather smart thing I wish i’d done! They’ll be working alongside the rest of the C&Co. team in all things small business (we all wear many hats), as well as working on real world client design projects, learning the letterpress printing process, and working on the new C&Co. wholesale card & gift line and catalog! We’re thrilled to have such energetic and talented ladies in the studio, and it is my pleasure to let them introduce themselves to you here:

Hi, my name is Dorothy! I’m a big fan of adventures outdoors, exploring new coffee shops and climbing rocks (on the amateur level). I’m an avid traveler and when budget allows, I take up every chance I get to explore this rad world we live in. When I grow up, I just want to love people and share life with them. But, you can’t make money off of that so on many summer weekends, you’ll see me rocking my TOMs and documenting nuptials like it’s my job (because it is). I’m also an aspiring designer and a soon-to-be graduate of Seattle Pacific University (!!!).

I’m one of Constellation & Co’s new interns and I’m way excited about it. Ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you that I am obsessed with letterpress. There’s a ton for me to learn and grow from the crew here and I’m super thankful for this opportunity.

Greetings. My name is Emily Scott and I am currently in my Junior year at Seattle Pacific University studying Visual Communications. I enjoy long walks on the beach, all-expenses paid vacations, spending sunny afternoons on my yacht, and hanging out with the Beibs. Ok… so the only truth in that last statement is the part about enjoying the beach. I don’t actually have a yacht, and Seattle isn’t actually sunny.

My actual interests include: design, playing the piano, singing, cooking, adventuring outdoors (Northwest really is best), making people laugh, and spending time with friends and family. I dabble in painting and photography and on occasion can be found indoor rock climbing (though my arms protest quite a bit).

I am beyond excited to have received an internship position at Constellation & Co. I am expectant that I will grow as a designer, learn and begin to master the process of working with clients, develop my skills as a printer, and better understand the inner workings of small business. I am confident that the things I learn as an intern will equip me for my post-college career as a designer and to hopefully push me further towards my dream of working with non-profit organizations.

I am blessed to be working alongside Sara and the rest of the team and cannot wait to dive in and start creating!

March Update

Sara McNally — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:15:45 +0000

Hello friends, today I have a brief update for you on life in general. Lots going on, and not enough time to blog (as usual), but you can keep up with me on Instagram or Twitter if you’re so inclined.

I’ve been hard at work on our new card line (yay!), and i’m having a blast. It’s been really necessary to get out from behind the computer to get the creative mojo going. I’ve been doing some copywriting and research from home (with cats), client design work at coffee shops, walking and thinking in the sunshine, and lots of play in the studio. This new line is truly a love letter to life, and I couldn’t be happier with where it’s headed. I don’t want to spoil the big launch, so it’ll stay pretty secret – but I’m excited to show you some strategic sneak peeks as we go along.

It’s been really important lately to keep reminding myself what my priorities are for life and for Constellation. Urgent things pop up, and opportunities present themselves that will completely derail things if I let them. I’m NOT Superwoman, and I can’t do everything. Saying no is really important asset. So i’ve been doing my best to remember where i’m headed, what I want to be doing, and what things are priority one. When my priorities are in order, life really does feel sweeter.

Foil Stamping

Sara McNally — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:00:18 +0000

We picked up this awesome Howard Imprinting Machine a few months ago at our neighborhood “oddities” store, The Belfry. Like everything else in our shop, it has a colorful history. We’ve had a ton of fun since purchasing it – experimenting with different foil and type, doing hot foil stamping on everything we can get our hands on. We finally feel confident enough with our new toy to offer foil stamping to you, our friends & clients!

Here’s a list of things we think are especially awesome with the addition of foil stamping:
Custom stationery with your name or monogram
Envelope return addresses
Place/escort cards for your wedding guests
Foil stamped names on diplomas, certificates, etc.
Custom napkins for weddings with your names, wedding date, location, etc.
Custom napkins for anniversary parties, birthday parties, baby showers, etc. with name, date, age, etc.
One of our art prints, foil stamped with a special message for your loved one

Our imprinting machine uses vintage type, so we’re unable to offer custom imagery or logo printing at the moment. We’re expanding our collection of type, but at the moment we have these options:

A solid & stoic sans serif typeface, available in caps only.

Murray Hill, a sweet and slightly retro script typeface. Available in two sizes.

We have lots of options for foil colors – we special order or foil from Aamstamp for each custom project, and you can check out the options at their (super retro) website!

For napkins: We use Creative Converting‘s Touch of Color collection (in 3 ply). They have a lot of really relevant color options! You can check them out at their website, or e-mail us to schedule a time to come see them in person.

For stationery, envelopes, place cards, etc.: We have a rather large selection of stock options. We also have a large selection of vintage “dingbats” available for use on your project. E-mail us (hello AT constellationco.com) to schedule a time to come see the studio, and all of these lovely options in person.

We are quoting each project on a custom basis depending on quantity, scope, etc. For your quote, rush right over to our estimate request form, and make sure to list “Vintage Type Foil Stamping” in the “What type of project is it?” box so we know how to quote you.

Sure & Steadfast Anchor

Sara McNally — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:00:22 +0000

Hello friends! I printed my first wood engraving last week, and i’m excited to share it with you! To see my progress getting to this point, check out these previous blog posts: Week One and Week Two. I finished the project off by printing it on Magnani’s Pescia, along with some lovely 30 pt. Century Nova Italic lead type that we bought from Jules Faye this summer. (And now it’s about to get real honest up in here – consider yourself ~~warned~~ encouraged to proceed.)

My career so far has been a major learning experience (starting a small business at 23 means you’re figuring it out as you go along), and this project was a really clear reminder that I need to give myself some patience as I’m learning. I made a lot of mistakes while engraving this piece. There’s no way to put something back once you’ve slipped and carved it out. But looking at it now, I can see what I learned with each mistake – and though I was tempted to photoshop out the imperfections, they’re part of the process and I want to remember the lessons learned.

It was really refreshing to work on a creative project that isn’t “work.” Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE that my job allows me to be creative all the time – but deadlines, bills, and the general pace of life can make even the best project feel like work. It’s so easy for me to feel like i’m being tossed around on the waves. There really isn’t a manual for how to grow a business, lead a team, and have a healthy body & marriage all at once. It’s hard, and I often find myself feeling like i’m floating out to sea.

I tend to come back around to the same questions over and over. How do I stand firm in the middle of this crazy life? What hope and purpose do I have in this uncertain world? It often feels like too much, too hard, too scary, too exhausting.

A few months ago, the pastor at our church gave a sermon on that really stuck with me. In the midst of my busy, uncertain life, I’ve held these verses of Scripture close to my heart.

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:13-20)

Pastor Tim said it this way: “The Hebrews writer is telling us that the world is like water spiritually. It’s always moving, changing, and insecure, so we need an anchor for our soul. We can attempt to anchor our soul in the things of the world, such as human relationships, health, family, and career, but ultimately those are always changing, moving, and insecure. We need an anchor that goes through the water and provides the safety, security, and stability we need in the drifting and storms. Thank God he sent Jesus to be the anchor we all need that provides what nothing else can. I don’t know what life will bring my way…but I do know I have an anchor for my soul, who is Jesus Christ, who is my trust, security, and hope.”

When I feel like i’m adrift, I can stand firm in the strong encouragement and hope that is before me, that I have a perfect Father who has chosen me, pursued me, healed me, saved me, and made my broken heart whole. He is unchanging, and I am never alone.

This little piece of artwork is a reminder for me of all of those things – and I would love to share an anchor with you, as a gift. They won’t be available for sale, they’re just a labor of love that i’m sending out into the world. If you’d like me to send you one, or even if you’d just like to talk, you can e-mail me: (sara AT constellationco.com)

Happy Vday 2013!

Sara McNally — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:00:09 +0000

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! We’ve sent out lots and lots of You & Me prints this year, and I hope each and every one of you enjoy the words of love your sweetie picked out for you! Just in time for Vday shopping, we launched several new options on our Etsy store:

New You & Me prints on Crane’s 100% Cotton Lettra paper, both in Black Ink & Red Ink

New You & Me prints on 100% Recycled Kraft Paper in Bold Red Ink

Didn’t get one ordered in time? Never fear! Our friends over at Klondike Penny’s have the full collection available for purchase and will be open today from 12:30 – 9 pm!

Sealed with Love Forever Stamps
(By Graphic designer Louise Fili, Art director Derry Noyes, & Illustrator Jessica Hische)

Also just in time for Vday, the United States Postal Service launched these lovely new stamps! I’ve been really impressed with the ole’ USPS lately. This year’s new stamps are really wonderful. But with the recent announcement about no mail service on Saturday, I’ve been laying awake at night thinking about a world without stamps. A world where everything is shipped with a bar code. It’s not a world i’m excited about, but likely a world I’ll live to see. What’s a love letter without the perfect stamp? Cue Sara’s inevitable hoarding of USPS ephemera…

New Blogaway: (Blog giveaway!) What’s your favorite new stamp? OR What thoughtful thing did your sweetie do for Vday? The author of my favorite comment today will receive: Option 1) a bundle of our blank letterpress postcards and a selection of fun stamps! OR Option 2) Their choice of 1 item from our You & Me Series!

Happy Birthday Abraham

Sara McNally — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:00:16 +0000

Today is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, a day that I really like to celebrate! In honor of what would have been his 204th birthday (if he was zombie Lincoln), here are some Abe related links & quotes that are pertinent to daily life:

Never let your correspondence fall behind.
-A. Lincoln

Keep your correspondence up to date with our Abe is a Babe or Epic Abe card, and one of these rad new Emancipation Proclamation stamps by the United States Postal Service!

Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.
-A. Lincoln

Today i’m going to finally watch the Lincoln movie. Brad & I have been so busy these past few years that we tend to catch new movies on Red Box instead of in the theater. But no more waiting Abe, I promise! We watched Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter during my birthday week and it was a-maz-ing! I’m pretty sure i’ll be disappointed by the Lincoln movie’s lack of cheesy fight scenes on horseback, but i’ll give it a try anyway. (It really was a giant cheese fest, but I enjoyed the heck out of it.)

The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships.
-A. Lincoln

I’m glad you’re reading, friends! Let’s keep the giveaways coming. Comment with your favorite Abe quote, and i’ll pick my 3 favorites to receive a free Abe is a Babe mini card!

Wood Engraving Class: Week 3

Sara McNally — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:54:22 +0000

Hello friends, here’s my weekly wood engraving class update! I’ve finished the engraving portion of my anchor print but haven’t had a chance to print it yet. It was a busy week with client work, events, etc. This coming week I’ll be setting type to go along with the image and getting it printed. I’ll be sure to share it with you when it’s finished. In the meantime, I started a new engraving during my class time with Carl this week: a sweet baby bear!

Here’s the backstory on little bear: In 2009 Brad & I made our epic road trip from Florida to Seattle, and we stopped at every fun tourist destination in the west. Seriously. The best place we came across was a drive through wildlife park called Bear Country USA in South Dakota. All of the animals were awesome, but we spent the most time watching the baby bears play. They were so adorable. We took a bunch of photos and quite a bit of video footage. (You can ask our families about the video montage we sent home…I think it was mostly bears.) I rediscovered this photo I took this past week, and i’m really excited to tackle an engraving his little fuzzy self!

The sun was shining into Carl’s home studio and it made for such a beautiful, restful morning!

Carl uses a super handy photo transfer method using a xerox copy, mineral spirits, and a heating tool. It’s really helpful for pencil challenged folks like me.