Remember when we used to get mail in the mail? Not bills, not junk mail, but letters and greeting cards? I love getting real mail and so I try to make an effort to send greeting cards! The past few times I’ve been a bit shocked when saw the price tags of cards at Target or Safeway – those Hallmark, American Greetings etc. cards with their perfect sayings add up.
So…. what’s a girl to do? I make the best of it and try to buy Maui greeting cards from local artists. If you’re going to spend $5 on a card, you can support a local artist with that $5. And guess what – sometimes the cards are actually cheaper (and usually more beautiful). Also, when I recently needed a condolence card, I discovered that you can find lots of appropriate phrases to write in greeting cards on the internet. How perfect is that?
So….. here are a few of my favorite places to get greeting cards on Maui.
Julie Galeeva Art Gallery in Makawao
I happened to be in Makawao this afternoon with some time to spare, so I parked and took a stroll up and down Baldwin Ave, looking at the little shops. At the top (just past Komoda’s) is Julie Galeeva’s art studio. I met her in the spring when I bought two of her art puzzles (one for me and one for Sig’s mom). I absolutely love the puzzle – it was difficult, but amazing colors and quality.
Today Julie was putting finishing touches on a commissioned painting. I chatted with her a bit while browsing her card rack. Guess what – 3 cards for $12. That’s $4/card. I got nine!
U’i Gallery in Kahului
Rachael’s U’i Gallery in Kahului is one of my favorites. Rachael is one of the cheeriest Aloha ladies you will find on Maui. Her art is bright, happy colors, and she has turned her art into all sorts of different quality products – pillows, phone cases, jewelry, purses, clothes, cards…. I love her ti leaf painting series, and adore her Ho’okipa Surf painting. Her store is right next to the amazing Tin Roof (if you haven’t gotten takeout from here, do!). I blogged about Tin Roof and U’i Gallery a few years ago.
Alohi Images
My friend and former fellow school-mom Shelley Pellegrino makes the most beautiful photography cards. Our sons were in the same grade and she was always the mom with the most amazing pictures from whatever school event the kids were at. The photos on her Alohi Images cards are mainly native Hawaiian plants and blooms. For multiple years I have bought and mailed her cards for Christmas cards. They are just beautiful. You can find her cards at Native Intelligence in Wailuku, Paper Garden in Wailea and on her website.
Paper Garden
And speaking of Paper Garden ~ this is a cute stationary and gift store in the new Wailea Village Shopping Center. Looking for a unique card? They have tons! They also have a shelf specially dedicated to local artists, where I picked up a pack of Linda Ryan‘s art cards.
How about you? Do you mail greeting cards? Do you have favorite artists you like to support? Have you framed any of your art cards? I’m currently trying to figure out where in my house to hang a few!