*Made in NC is a series that showcases North Carolina artisans who make exceptional products. This is not a sponsored post, and all of the opinions here are my own. Thanks to Amanda Wright of Wit & Whistle for letting me use her beautiful photos.
Believe it or not, this blog is turning 3 this weekend!
Wow- how time flies…and how your food photos get so much better when you start using natural light instead of yellow kitchen light. Ya’ll know.
It’s been such a wonderful adventure, and I just love cooking, writing and sharing things with all of you!
In honor of this special week, I’m featuring a very special Made in NC post and giveaway!
Today, we’re getting to know a bit more about Wit & Whistle and its founder Amanda Wright.
It just so happens that Amanda is a good friend of my sister, so I’ve actually had the chance spend some time with her, and I can confirm that both she and her paper goods are amazing! In addition to being an incredibly talented artist, she is the author of a fantastic blog that features beautiful photography, recipes, craft ideas and just fun life stuff.
I also love/respect that Amanda shares my affinity for Indian food, and she’s raising chickens!
If you’re looking for a quirky and beautifully drawn and designed greeting card, print, notepad or even pillow cover or tea towel, Wit & Whistle has a lot for you to choose from. And they’re all made in Cary, NC! These make great gifts, too!
Here are 5 questions that I asked Amanda about Wit & Whistle:
1. How did Wit & Whistle get started?
I started Wit & Whistle in 2009, because my job as a graphic designer wasn’t allowing me as much creative freedom as I had hoped for. I really missed working with my hands, drawing and being able to incorporate humor into my work. I started making greeting cards on the side, and to my surprise people bought them! My husband encouraged me to quit my day job and focus on building my own business. I finally took his advice, and I am so glad I did.
2. What’s the process of making a product look like?
My process begins with an idea. Ideas for funny cards and other new products pop into my head at all hours of the day and night, so I keep a running list of them. When the creative juices are flowing, I pick one from the list and start drawing in my sketchbook. My goal is usually to end up with something that is equal parts pretty and funny. I scan my sketches into the computer and add color digitally. I started out printing, folding and cutting all my products myself, but now I work with a local printer to produce most of my goods so that I have more time to create. The printed products return to my studio to be packaged, so I can make sure they meet my ridiculously perfectionistic standards before I sent them off to my customers.
3. Where do you get inspiration for your products?
A lot of my more humorous cards are inspired by joking around with friends and family. For example, my pregnant friends have been great sources for Mother’s Day card ideas! Aesthetically, I’m inspired by patterns found in nature and textiles, natural science, and pretty much anything that appeals to my weird (and slightly dark) sense of humor.
4. What’s your favorite thing that you make or have made?
I don’t think I can pick just one favorite product. I love when I look at my work all together, and it’s a cohesive collection. It took me a long time and a lot of hard work to get to the point that my designs and illustrations have a signature look. I suppose the Wit & Whistle brand overall is my favorite thing I’ve made!
5. Any advice for other creatives?
Don’t waste your talents, and don’t procrastinate following your dreams. Have faith, put your work out there little by little, and don’t give up. Keep making things even when you feel like they suck!
Wit & Whistle Giveaway
Guess what, you have a chance to win one of Amanda’s beautiful pieces, a choice of one of these two gorgeous tea towels (no matter if you’re local to NC or not, you can win!)
These tea towels are so beautiful I can’t even handle it!
All you have to do to enter is, leave a comment below (before midnight on Wednesday) with your favorite local product or a local company that you love.
What local store do you love shopping in or what artisan (food or other) do you support? Be sure to mention where you are, so we can share where local is for each of us.
You have until midnight on Wednesday to leave a comment, and then I’ll randomly select a winner who will be getting an amazingly cool tea towel to put in their kitchen!