Finding the Perfect Piece of Shit

February 1, 2017 Brynne Meyer

It landed with a splat.

I whipped around frantically, scanning the floors to assess the damage, and there it is. A single piece of poop on the kitchen floor. Shit had happened.

My husband was teaching that night, so I was doing our evening routine solo. Our 13 month old was running through the kitchen naked and screaming with our two dogs close behind. She was not interested in a bath, but does enjoy streeking in the evenings.

At first I couldn’t determine who produced the poop – was it human or feline. When I heard the splat, I said “Freeze!” in my best concerned Mom voice. It worked like a charm, because all three of them stopped and looked at me, waiting for my reaction. When I got closer it was obvious that all signs pointed to the toddler. The evidence was a few inches from her feet and there was an “ugh oh” look on her face.

One Word for the New Year | 2017

January 4, 2017 Brynne Meyer

Download Your 2017 Guiding Word

Instead of making unattainable New Year’s resolutions, there's a new approach to start the year off with some clarity and focus. I’ve heard it called a few things – one word intention, guiding word, or one word mantra. It doesn't matter what you call it, the concept is all the same.

If you haven’t heard of this yet, there are people who can explain it much better than me. I’ve listed resources below. The simplified version is to think about what you want to do and achieve this year. Make a list of words, whatever comes to you. Is there a common thread in your list? Is there a word that you feel drawn to that encapsulates the tone you want for this year? Pick one word to be your intention or mantra for the year. You can come back to it, let it guide you.

I thought a good way to keep my word on my mind would be to have it where I spend most of my day, on my computer, of course. So I’ve created some computer wallpaper downloads with words and beautiful landscapes to help inspire you and keep your intention front and center. There’s something about nature that brings a sense of instant calm. I need to feel more calm when I start my computer and begin working.

Makers Arcade Recap: Holiday Fair 2016

December 27, 2016 Brynne Meyer

100+ local San Diego makers come together for one day of holiday goodness. Shopping, music, food, drinks, crafts, and community.

I'm happy to report another Maker Arcade under my belt! Even though I was under the weather and ran the booth by myself, it was a great day. A long day, but great. I look forward to this market, because the crowd that comes out just gets it. They appreciate creativity and have a sense of humor. My kind of people.

Even though I’ve been exhibiting at shows for a few years, it still feels weird to promote my work. “Selling” does not come naturally to me. I do enjoy chatting with new people, so that’s how I think of it. Just a friendly chat with fellow San Diegans. It takes the pressure off me a little.

I’m always surprised with the amount of conversations I have about letterpress with shoppers. It’s such a treat for me, I love to talk shop! On one of the tables in my booth, I have an iPad on display with a short film showing me printing on my press. Seeing the old school machinery in action, often catches the eye of uninterested husbands or boyfriends while their partner shops for greeting cards. They ask questions about the press while their wife or girlfriend purchases a few cards. Win win.

Punch Buggy Crush

December 14, 2016 Brynne Meyer

The Inspiration Behind the Retro Trailer Holiday Greeting Card

It all started with my neighbor. We’ve never met, I don’t know his name, but I have a crush on his car. A vintage bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle. It was always parked on our street where I could walk by real slow and get a good look. It just made me happy. The little yellow blast-from-the-past really stood out among all the other modern vehicles lining the curb.

That’s where the idea for this holiday card started. Something simple that makes me smile is all I need for inspiration. The yellow punch buggy was it.

Holiday Gift Giving Worksheet

December 7, 2016 Brynne Meyer

It’s a wonderful feeling when you give someone the perfect gift. The person is genuinely delighted and you know they’ll actually use the gift. Both parties are pleased. But what do you do when you despise shopping? (Gasp) Blasphemy! It’s true, some of us end up wandering around the mall aimlessly, feeling overwhelmed and uninspired until you settle on something mediocre and call it a day.

If you haven’t guessed, I’m talking about myself. Shopping stresses me out. I’m an adult. I’m creative. I’m usually a considerate human being. Why is finding a good gift so hard?!

Magical Unicorn Birthday Party

December 2, 2016 Brynne Meyer

Photo (above) by Kendra Jekel Photography

Planning a Unicorn and Rainbow Themed 1st Birthday Party

When my husband and I spotted unicorn cupcake toppers, there was no question what our daughter’s first birthday party theme would be. We’re both designer, so we spent the next few months dreaming up some fun ideas for the party – all crafted around magical unicorns and all things rainbow.

We applied the “rainbow” effect to everything we could. First was the custom letterpress invitations. I designed them with hand drawn elements like clouds, stars, and of course, a unicorn. Then I experimented with a faux split fountain letterpress technique where I inked the rollers with two colors and let them blend together. The neon magenta and neon blue created a darker purple color, so the finished print has a stunning ombre effect– perfect for our magical theme.

Unexpected Pros & Cons of Working From Home

December 1, 2016 Brynne Meyer

Working From Home: Dream or Mirage?

Depending on your personality, working from home may sound like glorious freedom or a prison of isolation. I’ve worked from home for the past five years and have found it to be both. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee working remotely, the number of people working from home is on the rise.

Pros of Working From Home

Practical
Let’s get the obvious practical reasons out of the way. The low overhead and tax breaks make the home office an attractive option. Overall, you can get more done without office distractions, but it does require discipline and structure.

No Commute
No more road rage. Expletives tend to fly out of my mouth during rush hour when people drive like dummies, which would put me in a cranky state of mind by the time I got home. You can take the 20 minutes you spent in the car in the morning and add it to your morning routine to meditate, journal, go for a quick walk or just sleep longer.

No Rules
Play your music or podcast as loud as you want. Get comfy. Skip the makeup and wear yoga pants. Have your cat on your lap while you work.

Big Day

November 23, 2016 Brynne Meyer

Letterpress, Soul Searching and Keeping It Real

Today’s the day, big announcement! I'm blogging, but I'm not a blogger. Maybe the term "blogging" intimidates me. So I'm just going to write about what I know. Here’s an overview of what I plan on sharing here on the Harken Press blog and my general point of view…

Letterpress Printing
I love the craft of letterpress. Proud paper nerd here. I love going out into the studio and getting my hands dirty and creating beautiful stationery. I get lost out there and time flies by. I know not everyone shares my passion for the letterpress process, but in case you’re curious to see what it’s all about or think giant old machinery is cool, I’ll be sharing a more in depth behind-the-scenes look into the Harken Press studio.

Motherhood
I’m new to the Mom game. So far, I can tell you the struggle between being an solopreneur and a working Mom is real (at least for me). I knew juggling a baby and a business would be a challenge, but you don’t know what you don’t know. Things like Mom guilt and daycare are all new to me. So in the spirit of solidarity and feminism, I’m going to share the not-so-pretty realness, as I stumble through work-life balance in hopes that it will make someone else out there feel a little better. I got you girl. BTW, there’s no such thing as “work-life balance”.