2010 Vendor Spotlight: French Press

Today we are talking with Shelly Kuzniarek of French Press. Shelly has been a favorite vendor of ours since our very first show in 2007. She always brings a very bold, typography-based design, and quirky sense of humor, to her letterpress cards and notes.

Where are you and your studio located?
Buffalo, New York. I'm very fortunate to have space in a revived industrial building (once was used to build airplanes!) The Tri-Main Center is home to a mixture of fine artists, professional services and manufacturers.

What made you want to work in letterpress?

While in graduate school I rekindled their dormant letterpress studio. Starting out I made a lot of mistakes, but have refined my skills through practice, interning with Jim Sherridan of Hatch Show Print and taking a Vandercook workshop with Paul Moxon.

What are your current influences?

Nature
Cooking (specifically breaking recipe rules)
my students
Designers/Illustrators: Paul Rand, Leo Leonni, David Plunkert, James Victore.

What is your favorite part about the craft?

Each piece is a work of art. From selecting the paper and colors to adjusting the level of impression, I am always amazed at the beauty a sheet of paper can project.

French Press will be launching new winter stationery line on Nov. 1, which will include both hand generated illustrations and vintage printer blocks. They are also hoping to have their online store up by Nov. 1 so keep your eyes open! In the meantime, you can get your French Press goodies in their Etsy shop. And you can keep up with all things French Press by checking out their blog.