We love long distance warm fuzzies! Since 2004 it’s been our mission to encourage long distance warm fuzzies through snail mail. We believe in the magic of snail mail and that a long distance warm fuzzy can change someone’s day or maybe even their life.

outgoing meet up mail

We’re big believers in what you give, you get. Isn't it nice to spread goodwill, gratitude and a few warm fuzzies? One simple way to accomplish this is with a little snail mail. 💌 Cards shouldn't be just for birthdays or special occasions. Let someone know you’re thinking of them or thank them for the small little gesture that made a difference or touched you, maybe write to a friend sharing what you admire most about them.

Just a simple hello can change someone’s day for the better.

a. favorite design card wall

With that in mind, our Letter Writing Meet Ups are the perfect time to grab a card and let someone know you're thinking of them or thank them for being the amazing human they are. Sit with friends and neighbors, share warm fuzzies and maybe even a drink. Type a note, write a letter, send a postcard. We’ll have pens and typewriters on hand for you to use, we'll even cover postage. You can purchase our cards, stationery, postcards or bring your own. We’ll have pens and typewriters on hand for you to use. Plus it’s BYOB, relax with a glass of wine or beer, shop, write and enjoy. Come share the magic of snail mail with us and make someone's day!

Chicago everyday cards

stop by anytime the first Thursday of the month
5 pm to 7 pm-ish
BYOB

a. favorite design
4432 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

March 5                                 June 4                                  September 3
April 2                                    July 9 (2nd Thurs)         October 1
May 7                                     August 6                              November 5
                                    

Do you believe in the magic of snail mail?
Do people describe you as artistic and resourceful?
Do you live in Chicago?
Do you dream of working in a creative space?
If so, read on!

a. favorite design is looking for a part time (14-28 hours a week) helper with potential for more hours during the busy season. Fewer hours in June, July, August and December, almost full-time in January, March, April, September and October.
Below is a list of tasks we need help with:

-production-
folding & packaging cards
pulling orders
order fulfillment
shipping wholesale & retail orders
meeting shipment deadlines
quality control
maintain inventory supply

-assistant help-
return emails to customers & sales reps
filing
entering orders in QuickBooks
writing thank you notes to stores
writing notes & mailing catalogs to stores
help maintain website & Faire 

-attributes-
We’re looking for someone who is ambitious, thoughtful, organized, self-starter, punctual, conscientious, efficient, flexible, pays attention to detail, has a sense of humor, loves BIG dogs, someone who is positive, can easily shift from task to task throughout the day and isn’t afraid to ask for help or offer suggestions if they see something that needs improvement. Would prefer someone with a creative background who is willing to brainstorm and talk through ideas. We would like a helper who can problem-solve and thinks projects through completely and efficiently. Ideal candidate would work two to four days a week, depending on workload and efficiency.

We know this is a BIG list for a part time person.
If you fit the bill and live in the Chicago area, please email your resume to: info(at)afavoritedesign(dot)com
No phone calls please.
We look forward to meeting you!

Small Business Saturday is November 30th and we're excited to share our Holiday Goodies with you! Mark your calendars. It's our first official Small Business Saturday with a retail space and we're gonna do it up just for you - our customers!

In the past we've ran specials on our website, which is fine but it's so much more fun to come see the product in person, touch the impression of letterpress printing and see our space. As always we'll have all our Handmade Letterpress Greeting Cards available. Plus we have lots of goodies from other companies we sell that aren't on our website; Journals, Planners, Calendars, Ornaments, Office Supplies and Specialty Pens, perfect for gift giving or recieving.

This year, I'm sharing my Vintage Holiday Collection. I believe sharing is caring and it's time to share some of my many vintage holiday treasures. You can purchase amazing vintage ephemera, gift wrap, greeting cards, stickers, decorations and more collected through many years. All are vintage which means once they're sold out, you may never see another again. 

We just released our exclusive Chicago themed gift wrap. It's adorable and already a hit, we won't be reordering for the season so come get it while you can. To compliment our gift wrap we're selling ribbon by the yard, we want to help make your packages perfect! As always we're offering our vintage gift wrap by the yard, some of the wrap we have was used at the iconic State Street Marshall Fields. That's right, a little piece of Chicago History could be on your gifts this season.

Join us on Small Business Saturday from 10am to 6pm
We'll have lots of exclusives plus:
• Holiday Cookies & Refreshments
• First Look at our Holiday Shop
• Free Gift Wrapping on Purchases
• Print your own sheet of gift wrap on an antique press

The more you buy, the more you save!
10% off $20-49
15% off $50-$99
20% off $100+

Plus a Free Gift with every purchase (while supplies last)
Discounts valid on 11/30/19 only
May not be combined with any other offer
One gift per person

Stop by Small Business Saturday and all season long!
Open Thursdays 11am - 6pm   Fridays & Saturdays 11am - 5pm

They’re here! They’re here! 2020 calendars have arrived. Truth be told, I didn’t think it would happen this year. ***WARNING Real Life Talk Ahead*** If you prefer the picture perfect Instagram facade of my business, don’t read on.

When I was suppose to be finalizing my design and getting my 2020 calendar files ready for print, I was juggling a lot physically and mentally. The following aren’t excuses for missing deadlines but rather reasons (thanks Tom for giving me that perspective).

In Spring I was prepping for my shop opening which had many more hurdles than anticipated. More significantly, my dad went into hospice. It wasn’t a surprise yet still felt like a punch in the gut and left me breathless. He told me last September he was ill after my relentless prodding and poking about his health. Anyway, my May was filled with trying to get everything set up in the shop and running smoothly so when the time came I could be with my dad. Holiday cards were put on hold and so was the 2020 calendar. Thankfully I work in an industry where people genuinely care about one another, while I felt pressure to complete new holiday and our calendar by end of May, I quickly realized people are very kind and understanding.

June came, I opened the shop with lots of help from my mom and soul mate Tom and rockstar friend Jaime and I got to spend time with my dad. Not gonna get into all the emotions but trust me if you ever get the call to come say goodbye, drop everything and do so.

It’s important to know there is an actual person behind this business. Someone who has to juggle deadlines and family and life and even death. So. Back to the 2020 calendar. It may look like a simple calendar but trust me, it’s a BFD this year and for me, symbolizes my resilience. And now you know why it’s September and I just mentioned our calendar is available. 

Now for the fun details!
Our calendar has all my must-haves; at a glance look for three months ahead, space to write notes, phases of the moon, numbers I can quickly see and recognize holidays fast. I've included phases of the moon, astrological signs and birthstones for each month because I kinda love all that stuff. Plus, it's being sold with a super cute vintage-looking document clip. The clip says OK, a gentle reminder that no matter what happens today or tomorrow, it's gonna be OK.

Refills are sold without the clip. Use it with your favorite clipboard or document clip to hang on the wall. I have a heavy duty magnetic clip that holds one of mine on my file cabinet. They make a perfect hostess gifts, teacher gifts, office gifts, secret santa or gift for any orgaziation lover. You can purchase them here.