sara mars curwinAn Industrial Design Degree from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design cartwheeled me into the world of exploring paper products. Prior to creating all things paper, I was a toy designer at Tonka Toys, in Minnetonka, Minnesota. In the lighthearted community of toy designers, I learned project management, production, and communication skills. Though I shared lots of laughs with my design team, I knew I wanted more flexibility than a corporate career could provide; to boot, raising four young children at the time found me wanting to be at home more than not!
Knowing that I still wanted to create art, I was determined that if I provided a product directly to a client who appreciated a creative, unique look and style I would have a viable business model. In 1990, I bought an etching press and Grace Press Design was born. Over the years, I began to learn more about my specific market and grew confident in being selective with my clients. I discovered that when my clients host an event, they want their invitation to be one-of-a-kind, personal, and artistic in setting the tone for their upcoming event. Designing custom krafted invitations and announcements has been my passion now for over 25 years. |
Among the inks, dyes, brushes, zinc embossing plates, unusual miscellany, and flat files brimming with hand made papers in my studio, I find the most unexpected occurrences which continually inspire me. My clients' appreciation of my work, along with experimentation of my own, provide me with the never-ending inspiration I need to keep going. I am deeply inspired by the art of written word and am always on the hunt for good quotes; I do my best to keep my eyes wide open, my ears listening to the quiet, and my mind present in my surroundings.
When I am not busy with custom work for clients, I create year-round and holiday greeting cards, as well as thank you cards. Over the last 10 years, my new offerings of greeting cards have evolved through empowerment, sustainability, music, friendship, spiritual exploration, and gratitude. My work has transformed my own world view of our ever expanding lives, and my hope is it does the same for you. love and light to you, sara |