Meet Raychel!

It's that time again! Today I'm introducing another addition to a. favorite design. 

Raychel's been part of the team for about a month now. She's been a huge help, especially since I'm bogged down with tax prep at the moment. She came in, rolled up her sleeves and has handled every challenge I've given her with ease and a smile. While she's already a letterpress printer I have little tricks, quirky paper guides and odd techniques that she embraced immediately. Every printing press is a little different and takes some time adjusting to but she's handled Willie (my press) like a pro. I'm impressed and appreciative. Not only is she a hard worker and talented letterpress artist, she also has a great sense of humor and loves to share stories. I happen to love stories! If I had to choose one word to describe Raychel it would be adaptable. The girl has a "bring it on" attitude I admire. In the short time Raychel has been here she's taught me say yes and roll with it. When she first inquired about helping out I didn't think I needed more help. CoCo had just started and Darcie was lending a hand too. My gut was telling me to at least have a conversation with her, after all she's worked with a letterpress hero of mine. Once I spoke with Raychel I realized I need to say YES to letterpress printing help, I mean how often does an experienced and talented printer come knocking? I'll tell you...in my 13 years of printing not once. I'd be fool to pass her by. I had to roll with it and trust that I could handle managing another person as well as financially make it work. I'm happy to report it is working and I'm appreciative to have such talent by my side, be sure to check out Raychel's work, it's great and so is she.

Without further ado, meet Raychel...

name? Raychel Steinbach Lauen

how’d you hear about a. favorite design? On a studio tour organized for the APA ChicaGoose conference in 2015.

what attracted you to afd? I love the vintage ephemera influence & the good natured humor!

when did you start helping out? January 23^rd, 2018

what do you do at afd? I get to hang out with Willie the beautiful C&P! I print, die cut, & score.

what do you do when your not at afd? I’m printing & setting type elsewhere! I also go hiking, hang out with my son, & am always walking over to Beans & Bagels (aka Spoken Cafe) for a latte.

do you have hobbies? Letterpress printing, sewing, hiking, & community gardening.

have you picked up any new skills since being at afd? Die cutting! Everything should be a fun shape!

what’s your favorite part about afd? Such a great group of humans & a great vibe in the studio! I love hearing design ideas as they percolate & cannot wait to see the final design come through the works!

what’s your least favorite part? I haven't met Scooby yet :(

do you have any pets? No, but I’m building a worm box this spring for composting, do they count?

any pets you’d love to have but don’t? I’d love to have goats!

do you believe in spirit animals? Yes.

if so, what’s yours? I’m a dragonfly.

left or right brained? A little of both - I like to live my life in my right brained days & do printing work in my left brained days.

introvert or extrovert? Social Introvert.

if money were no object & you could do anything, what would you do first? Buy a small acreage, help my son build a treehouse & convert an old brick building into my letterpress studio. I’d have goats, bees, & chickens.

title (either given or taken)? Printer

sign? Sagittarius

3 places you've lived? Hong Kong, Bangkok, & Ballyvaughan, Ireland.

favorite place you lived? Minneapolis. I love the Chain of Lakes & the deep snow, what can I say?

favorite color? Green

radio stations you listen to? NPR & WBEZ. Also a million podcasts.

favorite number? 7

magazine subscriptions? Uppercase magazine

nicknames? Ray

superpower you would like? The one where you get to zap chronic grumpy people and make them grateful & happy.

hopes, dreams & wishes? I hope I can keep doing what I love for as long as possible & that more people are able to follow suit.

personal credo? You're doing great & Living the Dream.

anything else you'd like to say? I’m excited to be a part of such a great team & have an awesome boss-lady.

Did you see her chosen superpower!?! I told you she was great.
Thanks Ray, I'm thankful you're here.