Inside the Studio

A look inside the evolution of the Pine and North Star card, from one of my earliest paper designs to an original Eastern White Pine inspired by Maine's first state flag.

Meet Kirby, the wicked cool cucumber behind the Mainely Cards A Big Dill greeting card. Follow his journey from early prototypes to final design and discover how a simple pickle became an original paper character.

A one-day design challenge became an unexpected journey through color, paper, and possibility. Step inside the studio to follow the creation of the Purple Tulips card from first prototype to final design.

A look inside the design process behind our Paper Party Balloons greeting card, from early designs to a final version that uses scale, movement, and material to bring the design to life.

A simple Easter egg design put to the test. Planned or random, every version of this handcrafted Easter Egg card design held up. Step inside the studio to see how the Benny Egg came together.

A look inside the studio as a simple Easter egg design takes shape—from early testing to a finished card that’s easy to build and holds together.

Do green lobsters actually exist? A rare Maine catch and a sheet of emerald green paper inspired Lucky the Lobster, a handcrafted St. Patrick’s Day Green Lobster greeting card that carries a bit of Irish luck.

A look inside the studio as a St. Patrick’s Day clover design takes shape—from familiar Irish traditions and an early handmade card to today’s original paper art design.

The story behind Mainely Cards’ first Valentine’s heart — from fragile prototype to finished mosaic paper design in metallic red and passion pink.

A tiny design flaw hidden inside a blue lobster illustration became an important lesson in prototyping, refinement, and why every prototype has a purpose.