One year ago, after an extremely educational two years at The Mandate Press, I gave my notice and Thy and I took over Nic's space at Poor Yorick Studios. Because of that incredible door of opportunity that Nic opened, the past year has been full of growth (personally and professionally) for each of us. Now I find myself giving my notice to Salt Lake City itself as another opportunity - literally too good to resist - has planted itself firmly in my path. I have two days left at my part-time gig as an operator at Perfect Register (a commercial print finishing shop in SLC), a handful of client jobs to crank out, and some printing to do for Thy and then that's that. We head for San Francisco early next week for Thy's first Renegade Craft Fair and the week after that the Volvo will be loaded down and headed east. I'll be in Boston by August 1st - one year, to the day, after launching the GDGRAVES Facebook page. (at Poor Yorick Studios)

In one sentence: how would you describe myself, my trade, my craft, my business, my services and my clients? Go. (Many thanks again to @chadkphoto for the photo)

Thoroughly stoked to have played even the slightest role in the production of this piece. One week turn-around from initial request to delivery. The crew at @bigcartel slapped some sketchbooks in these suckers and slipped a mini pencil "torch" in with each one for the attendees of @indiecraftparade's Maker Summit this past weekend. White foil on French Paper Co's 140# Muscletone Black. Diecut and scored.

New notecards up on www.penandpalates.com! Gold on 110# Pearl Lettra. Per usual, letters by the lady and pressings by yours truly.

Been running my fair share of diecut/score jobs lately and I have to admit I kinda dig it. Don't get me wrong - business cards and wedding invites are all well and good - but don't let your assumptions limit your project ideas before we've had a chance to talk! Hit up [email protected] for estimates.

Been hustling the last day or so to make room for some rush work next week. Plenty of trimming and diecutting still left to keep my Friday busy. Another thank you to every single one of you who has played a part in reminding me what "busy" feels like.

Gotta love a happy customer! Regram from @wkstark of her family notecards. PMS 876 on 110# Fluorescent White Lettra.

This fellow's work has astounded me from the second I was first made aware of it. Add the fact that I've been accused of being an "old soul" myself once or twice and it's no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed pressing these suckers. Many thanks for your support, Mr. Landrum. I know they'll be put to good use.

Working out the kinks on another first with this press: envelopes.

I never thought a pair of boxers and some socks could inspire me/give me hope. I do realize I'm rocking some pretty serious "fanboy" status at this point, but Flint and Tinder is one to emulate y'all. They're steeped in everything that I aim to build my own business around: Craft, Quality, and Pride. Not to mention, 100% made in America. As they say: Buy less. Get more.

GDGRAVES has cleared the 400 "likes" mark on Facebook! I'm celebrating with coffee and an ever-filling planner. I can't thank you all enough for the outpouring of support that I have received just in January alone, but I hope by putting in an honest and hard day's work each and every day, you might catch a glimpse of my appreciation. Special thanks to @jimkill for smoothing out yesterday's email issues, too. It actually seems to have been caused by another bit of good news for my future client base: a legitimate website is finally in the works! Now bring on February...

4 days (counting today) left for this ridiculous discount. 20% off all custom letterpress jobs approved by this Friday! To expedite the approval process, please include your artwork (AI, EPS, or PDF with all type outlined), inks (please spec Pantone swatches - uncoated), quantity, and preferred paper stock (if you're unsure about paper, give me an idea of what you're looking for). Send all estimate requests to [email protected]!

They didn't call it a "windmill" for nothin'

877 and 187 on 80# Pure White French Construction. This job epitomizes so many of the pieces of my life that just seem to continue to fall together. When I first moved to SLC to try my hand at this trade, I took a part-time design internship with University of Utah Healthcare. Two years after leaving my position there, they came knocking on my door as a client. Such an excellent reminder that one thing follows another if we just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Many many thanks to @jesse_colby for the role he has played in my success both then and now!

Dialed.

Just another one of those moments of gratitude and relief. I knew I was going to need some sort of a side gig to balance things out while getting GDGRAVES up and running, but I'm so glad I passed on opportunities for just a paycheck - no more, no less - and found something that also pays the added bonus of relevant experience. In hindsight, waiting/holding out was one of the best risks I've taken yet. I was reminded of this while tearing into a windmill's lay-gauge assembly this morning. Yet another lesson for my back pocket.

Established in 1871, the sixth-generation, family-owned French Paper Co. in Niles, Michigan is one of the last remaining small, independent paper mills in America.