Vendor Profile - Pressbound

Melissa Gruntkosky makes letterpress paper goods, hand bound books and digital art prints. Melissa started out as an intern at Albertine Press (another SoWa Holiday Market vendor), but was able to start her own letterpress business in 2008. The name Pressbound combines her love for the printed page and for producing tactile designs.

“I love face time with my customers! It feels so much more personal and special to here how my products will be used out in the world and share the stories behind my ideas and process.”

Melissa’s products are perfect for those who like modern retro, have a folksy heart, enjoy tactile things, or have a friend or loved one who is Polish. Many of Pressbound’s products are inspired Polish folk art and Melissa’s family heritage.

“My first letterpress project used imagery from Polish wycinanki (vee-chee-nan-key), which is a form of paper cut folk art, that I hand carved in linoleum blocks. After my grandmother’s passing in 2007 it just felt right to keep exploring the use of motifs found in wycinanki, eventually combining this with other illustrations like Russian nesting dolls in my calendars or adding text like I use in my holiday cards. Her spirit lives on in my work, which is only appropriate since without her as a role model I'm not sure I would have had the courage to open a craft business of my own.“

In addition to Pressbound’s letterpress prints and hand bound books, you can be sure to pick up some seasonal items like cards, gift tags, paper ornaments and even gorgeous 2012 calendars.

Find Pressbound:

November 26 &27 at the Hingham Shipyard Holiday Market
December 10 at the SoWa Holiday Market
Visit Pressbound’s Web Site
Like Pressbound on Facebook
Follow Pressbound on Twitter