Heidi of Row House14 ~ September's Featured Etsian

Clockwise from top left: Halloween, Baby, 365, Rainy Day, Jack Ass, Key, Congrats, Birthday.

I am a huge fan of the old fashioned send in the mail greeting/birthday/anytime card vs an e-card. There’s something so much more personal about a hand written note on a well-made card. If you feel the same way I do, Row House 14 has got you covered – specializing in handmade greeting cards, note cards, personalized & custom stationary, and photography she’s got a little of everything! Heidi was kind enough to let me ask her a few questions about her and her beautiful store. Meet Heidi:

What got you into stationery?

I started creating stationery and cards for a few reasons. I love paper and design and I also like getting snail mail. I wanted to make a difference in someone's day by making super awesome stationery and cards that people would either love sending or love receiving. I also needed to get out of the daily grind of teaching in an inner city school system. I love my day job, but sometimes I just need distraction from it to help me relax. I've always been involved in art of some kind since I was a small child so this was a natural draw for me.

Your work has a very distinct style. To me they all seem to be that perfect

balance of simplicity that a card should have and a pop of color that brings

it to life. Where do you think you developed this style?

I get so sick of those cards that are overly flowery and sentimental. In general, I've always like simple lines and fabulous colors. Stationery shouldn't be gaudy. It should be clean lined. And cards shouldn't be sappy and sentimental. They should be personable, straight to the point, and funny. They seem more real that way. I mean, how often do you go up to a friend and say something super sentimental and flowery to them? Never. So why not have a card that says what you'd say. I'm all about colloquialism and a bit of sarcasm in there doesn't hurt now and then either.

Personalized Monogram Note Card Set

 What is your favorite item in your store?

I'm going to seem totally immature and gross for this, but I love my birthday card that says Happy Birthday You Old Fart! This card began as a total joke when I was feeling less than creative and had a brainstorming block. After discussing it for a bit with some friends as a joke, one night I literally hand sketched the card to continue the joke. My fiance and I looked at the sketch and sat on the couch laughing so hard that we started to cry. Finally he said, "You totally have to make that and list it!" So I did. It was still kind of a joke when I first listed it until it quickly became one of my most popular birthday cards. To this day, every time someone buys one, I can't stop laughing. I love that others get my sense of humor.

Happy Birthday Old Fart Card

  Like myself, you are a coffee lover! Tell me about this coffee shop

you would like to own some day?

In my lifetime, I've spent 7 years as a barista. I love the atmosphere and people that you tend to have in coffee shops and I also love coffee. For me, I love the idea of being able to have my coffee shop and also spend time designing. I always feel that coffee shops are a meeting place for people of all kind and provide a sort of community. I'd love to be able to work behind the counter in the mornings, have a few employees to do the job in the afternoon, and hang out in the afternoon with my cup of coffee and my computer working on graphic design. I'm not a big institution type of person and like the idea of having my own schedule while doing something I love.

Do you have any special/secret/exciting/cool things coming soon that you

can share?

I just put out a new line of birthday cards that are based on the 12 zodiacs and feature the constellations. They've been received really well which I'm super excited about. I have three new Halloween cards that also are new in my shop this month. I'm also going to be coming out with some new Thanksgiving and Christmas cards in the coming month so stay tuned for those! I'm soon thinking of adding a new product line that involves lots of bold colors. I'll be sure to update twitter and Facebook as those ideas come to fruition!

Zodiac Birthday Card

You also like a little... well a lot of ice cream. If you could only eat one

flavor of ice cream for the rest of your life what would it be?

That one is much easier than you would assume it to be considering my love of ice cream. The Chief, a local ice cream place in my hometown in Indiana, makes the best chocolate ice cream I've ever eaten.

Heidi and her work can be found on:

•Etsy(click)

•Facebook(click)

•Twitter(click) Heidi - "I get a little crazy on Twitter during football season with my obsession of the Steelers, so don't say I didn't warn you! ;)"

•Pinterest(click)

•Blog(click)

Secret Admirer Card