HELLO THERE! WE ARE SO HAPPY YOU FOUND US!
As kids we competed against each other to see who could make the best art, and we hung it proudly on the pantry doors.
Being a first-born, productive worker bee, Grace’s door was normally filled top to bottom with work, while I was a bit more self-conscious of my art, and my door was sparse but my drawings carefully executed.
At a certain point, my love for art took off and I ended up going to college to study oil painting.
But after graduating, I realized that illustration, animals, and tiny houses were more my thing:
Grace was moving North-South every six months with her husband (who is a golf instructor) and so she started an Etsy store selling individually hand painted cards. Unfortunately, because of the repetitive nature of hand producing cards, she wound up dealing with a wrist stress injury.
Obviously it’s way more fun to create things with a teammate (and who better than a sibling?!) so in the Spring of 2016, I suggested that we work together to spread joy into the world.
It was a perfect idea: I was filled with creativity and a passion for illustration and web design—but let’s be honest, finances and deadlines are not my forte. On the flip side, Grace is a fastidious record keeper and driven to have “best practices.” Unfortunately, her wrists suffer from carpel tunnel. She was running a custom stationery shop on Etsy, where she sold individually handmade greeting cards. Her work was crippling her wrists. One day we were having a sisterly chat, it dawned on me that we should work together.
“Let me be your hands, Grace! (And you can be my brain!)”
We launched our new greeting card company in 2017 with 13 beautiful cards — our "Signature Collection."
We were on our way to making dreams come true!
But the road hasn’t been easy. As a startup company, we had to supplement our income with other jobs. I loved construction and found a job working for Habitat for Humanity, while I hustled at night and on weekends to work on T & S.
Habitat for Humanity was a tough job! My days were spent hauling gravel in 90 degree weather, tying rebar, doing LOTS of drywall mudding. My favorite part was working with volunteer and home-owner women, teaching them construction skills. It was a strenuous job, but fulfilling.
Everything was going well until it all changed on August 14, 2018. We were putting up rafters on a house and the forklift tipped over, crushing me underneath. In an instant, I was fighting for my life. If it hadn't been for a former Marine who was on site and quickly jumped down to tie his belt around my leg as a tourniquet, I wouldn't have lasted ten minutes.
Nobody was sure that I was going to make it. There were times that I felt myself drawn to an inky blackness, and I somehow knew that if I went there, I wouldn't be in pain anymore.
One of the thoughts that kept me Earth-side was, "Grace can't run Tiny and Snail by herself!" And every time I felt that inky blackness, someone I loved would come hold my hand. I knew I couldn't leave.
A few days post accident, my vision was double, and I couldn't do anything but lay in the hospital bed. Grace brought in my computer and said, "Leah, we HAVE to put up a shop notice to let people know we can't ship right now!" Incredibly, I was able to tell her exactly the steps to take to do that. What a boost to my confidence that was!
The force of the telehandler falling on me caused my T4/T5 vertebrae to burst, which severed my spinal cord and paralyzed me from the chest down. The first question I asked by finger spelling into Grace's hand was: “Can I still draw?” Miraculously, the answer was "yes."
I can still draw and paint. This company of ours has become more important to us than ever as its growth will mean that I might be able to sustain myself as a full-time artist. (We still aren't there yet! 😅 ) Tiny and Snail became a life-raft for us in the weeks and years after my accident.
We are truly sisters: both opinionated, but pretty much on the same page aesthetically. We butt heads occasionally, but in the end we know we are so much stronger as a team. As far as our art goes,
Our motto is:
keep going until it either makes you laugh out loud or ache with beauty.
Illustrating unicorns, dogs, and flowers brings us so much joy. We want to help you package that joy and send it to make someone else’s mailbox a whole lot happier.
We are obsessed with using the magical invention of the Postal Service to infuse love into people’s days. In an age of technology, snail mail isn’t just a novelty—it’s powerful:
Seeing someone’s handwriting is such an intimate, beautiful thing these days.
- Being able to cherish their words.
- Being able to set a card on your desk and bring a smile to your face every time you see it.
We believe that technology will never be as gosh-darn magical as a paper card.
21 comments
I’ve never been one to write extensive notes on the cards I send. I like the idea that your cards can speak for me. In fact, there were tears while I was reading your story.
I, too, have sisters—4, one who passed away this summer. We’ve all been card senders. I treasure them.
The only person I’ve written letters to is a dear friend that I’ve known for over 40 years. Both of our hand writing has seen better days. We’ve started typing our long missives. Whenever I receive a letter from her, I feel joy.
I discovered you this morning and immediately bought your cards. After reading more about you and your company, I am now a forever customer. Can’t wait to see the cards in person. You are inspiring! Truly!
I have said those same words “I can’t walk but I can draw”. I have a rare progressive muscle disease that actually kills my muscles. One by one they go, but as long as l can keep using my right hand, l’ll keep drawing and painting. I admire your dedication to your precious card business. Your work is all so beautiful and filled with love. I have a semi-thriving art practice and show in galleries when l can muster the energy. Isn’t it a great gift to have this talent for creating art and beauty? The best thing is being able to share our art with love. We are very lucky in this. I hope your business thrives and doubles each year!
Ps: You can find me on Facebook if you’d like to follow my art. Do you have a Facebook account?
I just stumbled across your Instagram page and was so taken by your story of resilience, hope and love in the face of unbelievable pain and adversity that I just had to visit your website. I’m ordering my first pack of cards and can’t wait to see them and send them out! I’m so glad I discovered you! Stephanie
I love your story, I have a strong love ❤️ and friendship with my younger and older sister. I think you are an inspiration to so many people in similar situations. I was in a really bad car accident in 2021 and nearly lost my life, but, God had other things planned for me to do. I was so out of it for the first week in the ICU
and after two surgeries. But, when I was awake I couldn’t move anything but my right arm, and my right leg. I am only telling you this because I can relate just a little bit to what you must have gone through. You are a very strong woman, and you are so talented . I just love your story and want to support your business.
Sincerely,
Martie Tuftee