Welcome back to the Warm Wishes blog!
This summer I had more time to read and listen to small business-adjacent books and podcasts at the shop. I highly recommend the Off the Grid podcast if, like me, you want to examine your relationship with social media. Warm Wishes is not leaving social media at the moment, but I have been thinking more about what I use social media for and what other avenues I have to connect with my community. Cut to this blog I used to write in consistently!
I've also been reflecting on my business vision and what makes Warm Wishes unique. From the beginning, I have prioritized working with independent artists. Getting to curate items for the shop and build relationships with the people behind the products has been a joy for me. Which leads me here—welcome to this new monthly blog where I go more in-depth with one of the artists behind the shop and share their story with you!
Warm Wishes From Amy Zhang
How did I find Amy Zhang?
I first found Amy Zhang's pretty, witty designs from my own shopping. Before I opened the business, I was at a baby store in Iowa City and saw one of Amy's products. I loved her illustration style and decided to add her to my list of potential vendors. She was one of the first artists I ordered from so her (often) millennial-inspired greeting cards and stickers have been a Warm Wishes staple from the very beginning.
Location
Amherst, NH (via Denver, CO)
Brand values
Amy: "We believe that every room is better with a disco ball, and that every day is better with a 90s playlist. That every occasion, big or small, deserves to be celebrated, and that every home, rented or owned, is infinitely better when filled with beauty, laughter, and personality.
My goal with every product is to create for a specific person rather than a specific occasion — cards that help your loved ones feel seen and understood, and that acknowledge your shared history, culture, inside jokes, etc."
Behind the scenes
Amy: "Every design starts with a pun (I keep a running list!) — from there, I create a corresponding hand-drawn illustration. The majority of the time, I keep it old school and work with gouache paint in a physical sketchbook, although I've been experimenting with a few digital illustrations lately as well. When it comes to creating the final product, I do my best to support businesses in our local area. We partner with a fellow woman-owned, New England-based business to print our cards, and we've even managed to source our paper locally!”
Something new I learned
Amy: "Fall is hands down my favorite season, primarily because I am obsessed with NFL football. You'll find me parked in front of multiple screens every Sunday (and also Monday and Thursday evenings). I also listen to several NFL-related podcasts, start most mornings during the season with Good Morning Football on the NFL Network, and finally started playing in a fantasy league last year. It's a fun way to shut off my "business brain" for a bit!"
What does Amy like about working with independent shops like Warm Wishes?
Amy: "What don't I like? It's so rewarding to get to connect with our shops on a personal level. To know that they "get" us, appreciate our creativity and uniqueness, and care about us as human beings. And of course, I love the in-person visits"
I had the opportunity to visit Amy's studio in fall 2023 and meet her husband, Joe, and pup, Raffy. She is truly a delight and I'm so grateful she's part of our Warm Wishes community of artists.
Check out our current Amy Zhang products here. To learn more about Amy, check out her brand website or follow her on social media.
I’ll see you next month for a new blog post featuring an artist behind a product in store.
xo Klang