LA Printer's Fair 2019 -- Intl Printing Museum

Minutes from the SNB store in Torrance is a So Cal gem -- the  International Printing Museum
https://www.printmuseum.org/ and it's annual LA Printer's Fair.

It's a family-friendly, hands-on experience to tour this museum (open Saturdays and by appointment). They also offer programs for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to earn 2 merit badges in Printing crafts (Graphic Arts and Pulp and Paper). The docents are all charming to watch as they get young and old to connect with innovations in the printing process that shaped history.

Here are some views of the museum exterior and some of the exhibit space inside.

They have a portable museum on wheels they take to schools etc.

Once a year, the museum hosts the Los Angeles Printer's Fair, sponsored by Kelly Paper.  This is a great place to shop for one-of-a-kind prints and cards of all sorts. The Fair also has activities and terrific food at a food truck and a small cafe.

The 2019 Fair is open 10AM - 4PM Saturday Oct 19th and Sunday Oct 20th.

Since I have pen pals, I'm always looking for fun cards to send them.

This post features some of the cards I got and info on the artists I got them from.

Note all the wonderful BRANDING!!! Put your name on your work, so when it gets shared, new eyes that like it can track you down. Share the story of your art, your process, your passion. Help educate fans that the images they enjoy are the artWORK of a unique individual that they are supporting. Help your artwork help you!


LACE LIT
https://www.lacelit.com/
Lace Lit was a particular stand-out in this area. Adding a thank you card with social media contacts to the purchase bag... and inviting patrons to share their purchases on this sites.

 I loved these vinyl stickers!

An assortment of blank cards

 Harry Potter themed stickers...

 and a card cross-promoting a family member's pop culture Podcast! Super!!!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/geek-critique-pod/id1385240877

PUP and PONY PRESS

https://www.pupandpony.com/

More cards.. and great branding

 Company name, art process info, and hometown location on the back of each card.

Business card with artist  name and contact info.

TWO HAND DESIGN

https://www.etsy.com/shop/twohanddesign/

Back of each card has Artist name and process, as well as website address.

POST RIDER PRESS
http://www.postriderpress.com/

Bag sealed with branded sticker. Since this was a printing fair, the business cards were impressive. This white business card had some serious heft to the paper stock.  

Sample of three blank cards.  

Process, hometown location update, and contact info on the back of each card.

FUGU FUGU PRESS

http://www.fugufugupress.com/

More great branding here. Branded bag. Process, location, and LLC on back of card.

CLASSIC LETTERPRESS

http://www.classicletterpress.biz/

These charming cat cards were sold as a set of ten. 

CJ WHITLOCK

on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/two_cats_in_the_house/

This artist was away from her table when I got these, but the Printer Fair has excellent volunteers who watch the space and can handle exact change cash transactions. These two cards are single sheets of heavy paper stock prints and feature images with the title of the work and copyright info on the back of the print.

THE INTERNATIONAL PRINTING MUSEUM

At the museum's info desk, they had a number of items for sale to support the museum. I loved flipping through a box of vintage postcards -- priced to take home a handful at $1/eac.

HYACINTH PRESS

https://www.josephvorgity.com/home

Each one of the cards at this table was a work of art. They were $8/each, on the high end of the price point for cards at this fair, but something to treasure.

ARS ANTIGUA FROM THE DREXLER COLLECTION

http://arsantiguafineart.mystrikingly.com/

Fantastic vintage images as useful stationary products. I could not resist the seahorse notepad.

Or these mini-sized notebooks with travel poster images.  

STACY WONG

https://stacywonghandmade.com/

I loved the idea that I could give a no-maintenance house plant by sending one of these cards.

My two favorite moments at the Fair this years featured inteactive booths!

THE TYPEWRITER GUYS

https://timetraveltypewriters.com/

Chatting with the staff as I linger over all the beautiful vintage typewriters. Be still my heart. I learned one of the owners is a fan of SNB. Small world!!

They had their own tented booth at the back of the exhibitor area.

 

So many cool typewriters on display! 

Along with this sign at the booth entrance!

If you want your turn at trying out the laptop of the last century, they will have a booth at this show in February.

Contact info on this double-sided postcard -- I love these.

In fact, I loved them.. and old typewriters.. so much, I left some at the SNB store.

The crown jewel event for me at this year's Printer's Fair...

BRYAN MAHONEY

https://www.thetypinpint.com/

This table caught my eye because of the vintage typewriter.. and the exhibitor's offer:

A writing challenge!!

A poem about me and/or the topic of my choice for $10.

Best. Investment. Ever!

Either I'm really gabby and transparent, or Bryan Mahoney is a mind-reader, or maybe a bit of both... but while I walked around the rest of the exhibitor area.. and visited the Typewriter tent (featured above) that he told me about... he crafted a poem that really lifted my spirits after a tough week! I needed this and will be forever grateful. While the poem feels really personal to me, I'm sharing it here as an example of his craft and the testimony of a very satisfied client.

He is available for parties and events. It was really fun to see a brief conversation spun like molten glass by a master into a sparkling memento.

The Los Angeles Printer's Fair is a top notch South Bay attraction. Held each October at the International Printing Museum. Don't miss out on your chance to visit this annual event!