Minted.

I have a thing for stationary. Always have, always will. Probably stems from my grandmother’s love of cards and hand-written notes. Nowadays snail mail is such an unexpected treat that it truly makes my day when I get it. With everything happening so instantaneously–all day everyday, the notion that someone would take time to mail me something is just so stop-you-in-your-tracks thoughtful.

I tell you this so it’s no surprise when I say that I’ve been a Minted. fan since their birth in 2007. They’ve always had the most beautiful, customizable cards and stationary. But here’s the thing, they’ve really evolved. Why? Because they had to….

The company held its first “design challenge” in 2008, a save-the-date card design competition that attracted 66 entries. Initially, the company balanced its crowd-sourcing approach by also carrying stationery brands, almost failed, and was panned by the media. Naficy raised $11 million in cash to last through seven years of operation, brought the company to cash-flow break-even with a lean team by 2012, then raised a first large funding round in 2013. 
Tens of thousands of design and art entries later, the company has expanded into the art business and the home décor business and its products have reached 40 million homes. The company is backed by Benchmark Capital, IDG Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Technology Crossover Ventures, and Norwest Venture Partners, and has raised $90 million in capital. LinkedIn named Minted as one of 2014’s 10 Most In-Demand Start-Ups among job seekers. Naficy was named one of the 25 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company in 2013. 

So that brings us to the present and me getting to know my beloved Minted. through a whole new lens…art & home decor. Swoon. Once again here’s company building a platform for independent artists. You can always categorize those types of companies under, things I adore. I took a look around on their site recently and I have to [have to!] share with you all some of my favorite finds. Take a look for yourself. Their collections are vast but easy to browse. Take a minute and scroll…I’m willing to bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised. How exactly does it work? Whose art gets chosen? Find out more about the entire process here.

 

 

This first piece is called “Down Under the Brooklyn Bridge.” Did you say Brooklyn?
Sold.

This piece feels like a morning yoga practice.
calm & content

 Typography is my jam. This rocks.

Gold Foiled Goodness

this abstract ‘sunrise and sunset’ piece is just worldly-beautiful.

These pieces are just a sprinkling of gems this site has to offer. The amount of affordable, intriguing, independently created creative art is kind of overwhelming…in a good way. Did I mention you can purchase a custom frame to accompany your print? Yep. You can. And you will, because who doesn’t like making things easier? Ok enough from me. Check out Minted. art marketplace and let me know what you think!

please note: I was compensated for this post …
however all opinions and thoughts  are my own.