August 2, 2021 — Just as oxen don their yokes and to the fields they go, here we are at the start of a new week, once again masking up to head out into the world!

Yesterday I spent some quality time with Bobbi Hand, the owner of By Hand, Ink, on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Enter her inviting book shop and you’ll find a half-dozen Cardthartic fixtures … I think Bobbi carries nearly every product we offer! And there were nearly that many bottles of hand sanitizers around. 🙏🏼

She was kind enough to open the store on a Sunday so we could — just the two of us and my sweet dog Gracie — tuck ourselves away in her big comfy chairs in the room filled with classic kids’ books and beautiful Peter Pauper Press jigsaw puzzles. Truth be told, I could have happily spent the whole day and into the night listening to Bobbi tell how she’d always wanted to have a bookstore, how she chooses the books she does with her customers’ interests in mind, and how it felt to befriend the incomparable Pat Conroy. ❤️

When I called Bobbi last week to say I was passing through and to ask if we might get together, she’d graciously insisted, for my sake and hers, “As long as you’re masked and vaccinated.” I assured her I absolutely am. “I’m thinking it’s time to put the Masks Mandatory sign back in the window,” she’d mused, which inspired me to reach out to our graphic designer Brandon with the idea that we print little signs that I envisioned to look something like this:

Brandon being Brandon, that same day he created this great layout. Bobbi loved it, too, so today we’re printing the design on both sides of 5” x 7” heavy card stock and will ship one to her and to each of our retail partners nationwide. While we’re at it, we’d be happy to provide one FREE to any Cardie who wants it for your own business or workplace. (See button below to order :)

Meanwhile, I’m unabashedly adopting a Pollyanna approach to mask-wearing. Rather than bemoan them, I feel grateful that I’m still alive and well to wear them! I’m thankful that I have the income to purchase them and the love of humanity to appreciate them. I feel very fortunate to have hands that can tuck those loops behind ears that hear, under eyes able to see the beauty all around us, and a mouth that can talk cards all day long.

I’m going to cherish the fact that, thanks to our masks, I was able to spend time with one fascinating store owner who’s clearly committed to keeping her customers safe, happy and well. May we all follow Bobbi’s loving lead.

Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative