A Visit to Bison Bookbinding and Letterpress in Bellingham, WA
Rachel recently traveled to Bellingham, WA and had the joy of visiting Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress for the first time, a beloved shop and studio that’s long been part of our greeting-card world. From the moment she stepped inside, she was met with that unmistakable mix of ink, paper, and creativity that makes a print shop feel like home.
Rachel was excited to see Carly at the shop, she's one of the brilliant minds behind Bison, and spent time with her family surrounded by shelves lined with colorful cards and hand-crafted treasures. The visit was full of connection and mutual admiration for the art of slow printing and our small-business community.
Rachel first met Carly years ago at the National Stationery Show in 2016, back when Heartell Press was still in its early days. Bison was one of the very first forty accounts to place an order with us at that show. Rachel had long admired Bison and looked up to their work, so it was an unexpected and deeply meaningful surprise when Carly stopped by the booth and placed an order. “It made me feel so good that another letterpress printer as accomplished as she was wanted my cards for her shop,” Rachel shared.
Now that Rachel lives in Washington, visiting Bison in person felt like coming full circle. She was so impressed by how much the business has grown, they now have two locations and it was moving to see their work in the context of the Pacific Northwest, where creativity and community are so deeply intertwined. Reconnecting with Carly sparked reflections on what it means to be a maker and business owner over time, how something that begins as a leap into the unknown can grow into work that shapes not just your own life but the lives of your team, your customers, and your community.
But what makes this visit extra special is that Rachel found out Carly is stepping into a new role beyond her shop walls, she’s running for Port Commissioner, District 2 in her local community. Read about Carly’s campaign
We couldn’t be more inspired to see someone from within our industry, a maker, artist, and small-business owner, bringing her values to fruition through public service. Her campaign represents something we care deeply about: thoughtful leadership rooted in creativity, sustainability, and community care. Support Carly’s campaign here.
We believe art has the power to ripple outward and shape the world around us. Seeing one of our peers take that belief into civic action is a beautiful reminder of how those ripples can grow.
If you find yourself in Bellingham, needing a place to wander, Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress is the perfect spot to browse around and get inspired (and shop for thoughtful and unique gifts for you and/or friends!). For those in Whatcom County, Carly’s campaign is such a bright and inspiring chapter to witness for your area; we’ll be cheering her on from afar.
Learn more about how to support Carly's campaign: