When Valerie Glassman's husband proposed, her mind wasn't on the ring. It was on that one-of-a-kind feeling she'd get when she opened up their wedding invitation, seeing her very first glimpse of their lives as a couple and how the invite's beauty would set the tone for the entire occasion. After poring through site after site and magazine after magazine, she realized she had the eye and the design chops to make them herself, so she did!
Valerie had already jumped headfirst into owning a small business by founding an online stationery boutique, "Custom Printables", in 2008, after completing graphic design classes at Wake Tech. Soon after she opened, she found success with clients from her hometown of Merrick, New York to the exotic Abu Dhabi. She branched out from customizable PDF's to so much more in her Zazzle boutique, offering everything from pillows to stickers. One design she created for a New Orleans style save the date won a design award the very same week she posted it!
Valerie had already jumped headfirst into owning a small business by founding an online stationery boutique, "Custom Printables", in 2008, after completing graphic design classes at Wake Tech. Soon after she opened, she found success with clients from her hometown of Merrick, New York to the exotic Abu Dhabi. She branched out from customizable PDF's to so much more in her Zazzle boutique, offering everything from pillows to stickers. One design she created for a New Orleans style save the date won a design award the very same week she posted it!
Even being as busy as brides-to-be often are, Valerie found professional vendors to do her printing and custom designed all of her wedding stationery from the invitations to the table numbers, programs, escort cards, and favor bags. After Valerie and Matthew's wedding in 2011 (they're both wonderful SoDu Parents Posse members of course), they settled down in their newly adopted home of Durham. Her "Custom Printables" business proved to be such a success that in August, 2012, Valerie expanded the venture with a catchier name, Bull City Studio, "which offers unique home decor and kids' accessories, along with custom-designed stationery and apparel."
In writing this post I spent a lot of time looking over the amazing design work Valerie has done so I could highlight some. Here are my three favorite works of art Valerie has created...
In writing this post I spent a lot of time looking over the amazing design work Valerie has done so I could highlight some. Here are my three favorite works of art Valerie has created...
I mean, what can't be said about this exquisite melamine plate, with bold modern lines in the emblem, and soft traditional roses of yore. It looks like personalized china, at a fraction of the cost!
 "If you're scared, just be scarier than whatever's scaring you!" This wall hanging is just phenomenally cute. It's delicate but solid, and has such a great quote. Not just for the kids room! |  Valerie's growth charts are printed on very sturdy vinyl and are meant to last. Where else can you get a personalized growth chart, nevertheless one this spectacular? |
So it was impossible to just to stick to my favorite three, as you can see from the gallery above! In order, left to right, they are: an art nouveau wedding invitation, bold and modern birth announcement, a simple but charming Chanukah wall display, fun and colorful wedding invites, a quirky little dreidel throw pillow, masculine themed notecards for the guy in your life, adorable personalized plate for Santa's cookies, well done simplicity and bold lettering in a distressed subway sign, and a cute and handy personalized babysitter info sheet. I expect if you follow this link to Bull City Studio's etsy shop, you'll be unable to resist all the lovely things Valerie's brain has made into a reality.
Valerie can tell you herself why she's so happy to create new art and to own her own buisness: "I love designing, so I offer an eclectic selection of pieces from stationery to growth charts to posters and clothing. I’m always up for a challenge of taking on new ideas! Also, because I grew up observant in the Jewish faith, I am able to provide Hebrew text in a variety of fonts. One of my biggest successes so far has been the onesies I designed for Thanksgivukkah 2013, the only instance in thousands of years on which the first night of Chanukah and Thanksgiving day fell on the same day. My favorite thing to make is custom subway art, the name commonly given to the typography posters that have favorite cities or travel destinations."
Valerie really has an eye for aesthetics and the experience to back it up, declaring in one online profile "Comic Sans is never right. Ever." So we know she's not only smart but has also got a great funny bone! :)
Valerie can tell you herself why she's so happy to create new art and to own her own buisness: "I love designing, so I offer an eclectic selection of pieces from stationery to growth charts to posters and clothing. I’m always up for a challenge of taking on new ideas! Also, because I grew up observant in the Jewish faith, I am able to provide Hebrew text in a variety of fonts. One of my biggest successes so far has been the onesies I designed for Thanksgivukkah 2013, the only instance in thousands of years on which the first night of Chanukah and Thanksgiving day fell on the same day. My favorite thing to make is custom subway art, the name commonly given to the typography posters that have favorite cities or travel destinations."
Valerie really has an eye for aesthetics and the experience to back it up, declaring in one online profile "Comic Sans is never right. Ever." So we know she's not only smart but has also got a great funny bone! :)
Here's what her very happy clients have had to say about her work. If you want to read over 60 more (wow!) testimonials click here (scroll down and look on the left hand side for her 5 out of 5 stars):
You can also see recent custom work and current specials on Bull City Studio's Facebook page.
- "Love this print! I can't thank Valerie enough for taking the time to create something so meaningful to my family and I. Her customer service was impeccable from the start and the quality of the print is fantastic."
- "These announcements turned out perfect! They are so well made... My friends and family all commented that it was the best announcement they have seen. Also, the shop owner was very easy to work with..."
- "The print is beautiful and was so carefully packaged and shipped! I'm so pleased to have something that reminds me of home in such a unique and awesome way. Thank you Valerie! Wonderful job!"
You can also see recent custom work and current specials on Bull City Studio's Facebook page.
Valerie wants to design something just for you, and she's got a special promotion to entice you!
- $5 off any plate, platter, subway art, or growth chart in the Etsy shop with code SODUPOSSE. Coupon good until December 5th. Find the listings you want by going straight there:
http://etsy.me/11Q2h5m (plates/platters), http://etsy.me/11QPDUE (growth charts),
http://etsy.me/1C6kQmL (subway art and other decor)
- The fine print: "No local delivery or pick-up available (this is to keep me sane!)" and the offer is only good on purchases of $15 and up
- Lastly, anyone who mentions SoDu Parents Posse when they contact me at bullcitystudio@gmail.com I will offer a 15% discount on their first custom stationery order - this offer is good for her Posse friends forever!
- $5 off any plate, platter, subway art, or growth chart in the Etsy shop with code SODUPOSSE. Coupon good until December 5th. Find the listings you want by going straight there:
http://etsy.me/11Q2h5m (plates/platters), http://etsy.me/11QPDUE (growth charts),
http://etsy.me/1C6kQmL (subway art and other decor)
- The fine print: "No local delivery or pick-up available (this is to keep me sane!)" and the offer is only good on purchases of $15 and up
- Lastly, anyone who mentions SoDu Parents Posse when they contact me at bullcitystudio@gmail.com I will offer a 15% discount on their first custom stationery order - this offer is good for her Posse friends forever!
Bull City Studio is unparalleled for so many reasons - Valerie is simply very talented at what she does. She offers something no one else can - completely customizable art, in a variety of products,
and best of all, when you're buying from Bull City Studio, you're supporting the posse and a local mom!
www.etsy.com/shop/bullcitystudio
and best of all, when you're buying from Bull City Studio, you're supporting the posse and a local mom!
www.etsy.com/shop/bullcitystudio
FTC required disclosure: The above post is a sponsored advertisement. Some of the content, such as the images, are provided by the pardner for my use. I give permission for this blog post to be used in perpetuity by the pardner as they wish. May seem silly, but legally I gotta say it. Congrats for reading the fine print!
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