Waterknot, a Portland-based letterpress, design and illustration studio, just opened a retail greeting card and gift shop in a hundred-year-old historic storefront in downtown Portland. The new store, located at 217 SW 1st Avenue, features Waterknot’s original collection of over 225 different designs for greeting cards, drink coasters, art prints and decorative ornaments as well a wonderful assortment of gift items that are truly representative of Portland’s creative local culture including: 

• Portland-themed cards, art prints and hand-made souvenirs

• Cocktail, coffee and beer accessories

• Reclaimed wood wristwatches

• Fine tools for writing and drawing

• Hiking, cycling and city guidebooks

• Guitar and music themed gifts

• Delicious chocolates

Waterknot brings a bold, clean, modern aesthetic to traditional letterpress printing. They make cards for all occasions that celebrate popular Pacific Northwest themes like hiking, biking, camping, gardening, beer, whiskey, coffee and music. “We make art that highlights the things we love about living in Portland,” says co-owner Jenn Pagliaro.

Waterknot was founded in 2006 by Josh Nusbaum as a graphic design and illustration studio. In 2011 Nusbaum partnered with his wife Jenn Pagliaro to launch their line of letterpress printed greeting cards. Nusbaum and Pagliaro are thrilled to have a storefront. “We got into this business to spread love and foster interpersonal communication, but as wholesalers, we rarely got to see the people that actually send our cards. Having our own shop is a super fun way to connect with people,” says Nusbaum.

As the founders of the popular Ink on Paper letter-writing event held in Portland last spring, Waterknot is excited to now have a permanent and public home for it’s Letter-Writing Station that customers will be encouraged to use. Waterknot will even give customers a stamp to mail their newly purchased card if they write and address it in the shop.

“As people do their frenzied holiday shopping, we want to encourage them to slow down and take a moment to connect with each other,” Pagliaro says. “We are not purists. We have cell phones and send emails. But we also know how great it feels to get a real piece of mail with a handwritten note. And, even though it may be a small part of someone’s day, we think there is real power in sending that ripple of happiness.”

Check out the Portland Monthly Holiday Savings Guide to get a coupon good for 2 Free Waterknot cards when you spend $20 or more in their new store.

WATERKNOT | Letterpress Printed Cards and Gifts
217 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204
503.954.1437
waterknot.com