Our Story

Hello there! We are so happy you found us!

Hi! We are Grace and Leah, sisters who both love creating illustrations that bring joy into this world.

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 productive worker bee, Grace’s door was normally filled top to bottom with work, while Leah was a bit more self-conscious of her art, and her door was sparse but her drawings carefully executed.

At a certain point, Leah’s love for art took off and she ended up going to college to study oil painting. After graduating, she realized that illustration, animals, and tiny houses were more her thing.

Oh, the joyous coincidence that we both turned towards illustration!

Obviously it’s way more fun to create things with a teammate (and who better than a sibling?!) so in the Spring of 2016, Leah suggested that they work together to spread joy into the world.

It was a perfect idea: Leah was filled with creativity and a passion for illustration and web design—but let’s be honest, finances and deadlines are not her 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 as we were having a sisterly chat, Leah suggested that we team up. “Let me be your hands, Grace! (And you can be my brain!)”

The road hasn’t been easy. In August of 2018, Leah/Tiny was in a life altering accident while working construction for Habitat for Humanity (her “day job” while she was hustling at night and weekends to work on T & S). A forklift tipped over, crushing Leah underneath. Her spine was severed. In an instant, she was fighting for her life.

Leah is paralyzed from the armpits down and her right leg was amputated. One of the first questions she asked in the ICU when she could communicate was “Can I still draw?” Miraculously, yes. Tiny can still draw and paint. This company of ours has become more important to us than ever as its growth will mean that Leah can sustain herself as a full-time artist. 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: if it doesn’t make us laugh out loud, or ache with the beauty, go back to the drawing board. (Pun completely intended.)

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 amazing, 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. Thanks for following our journey! Your support means the WORLD to us!

Why the name Tiny & Snail?

We searched high and low for a good name. Many a phone call was spent sharing our brainstorm lists with each other. Lots of charming names became contenders but the perfect name continued to elude us – until we discovered that our company name was directly under our noses, coming from the creative mind of a sweet 6 year-old named Ellie. Ellie lives in South Dakota and we’re friends with her family. One day while scrolling Instagram, Leah chanced upon a comic that Ellie had drawn for her dad titled Tiny & Snail. ZING! That was it! Leah had spent the past 2 years designing and building a tiny house and tiny studio. Grace has loved snail mail for an eternity. The name seemed perfect for our sister-sister company (and kind of sounds like a law firm which is extra hilarious and delightful). We reached out to Ellie and asked whether she would be willing to let us take her name into the stationery world and she graciously agreed. Ellie, it’s brilliant and we love your creativity! Here’s a picture of us with Ellie the extraordinary. She’s simply the best.

Leah, Ellie, and Grace

Ellie's comic that inspired our name

Podcasts We've been on:

Self Discovery with Jaclyn Steele-- "Life Can Change in an Instant: Meet Artist, Poet, & Paraplegic, Leah Nixon Fitzgerald"
Self Discovery with Jaclyn Steele — "The Way Through with Poet, Philosopher, & Tiny & Snail Owner, Grace Nixon Peterson"
The Product Boss— "Female Founder: Two Sisters Turned Business Partners Who Keep Dancing No Matter How Many Times They Get Knocked Down with Grace and Leah of Tiny & Snail"
The Postcardist: "E83: A Big Day with Tiny & Snail"
Terrible, Thanks for Asking: "Tiny and Snail"
The Paper Fold
You're Not Alone with Townsend:
Ep095-Paraplegia feat. Leah Fitzgerald
The Paper Fold: Leah and Grace of Tiny and Snail

Blogs we've been on:

Cup of Jo--My Beauty Uniform: Leah Nixon Fitzgerald
The Paper Nerd: The Tiny and Snail Sisters
The Paper Nerd: Tiny and Snail's Greatest Floral Hits
The Paper Nerd: Comfort, Via Snail Mail

For Real...

Not only do you receive a uniquely creative, quality assortment of birthday cards, you also get thoughtful, inspired tips and writing prompts and a place to record which card was sent to whom! You are going to want to know that when you place your next order! I love supporting this passion project/small business!

Beautiful cards!

Lovely cards! I highly recommend this company.

I love these cards. You can find cards that give voice from your heart to another. Just so powerful.

I am so happy that you have shared your story with me. 🙂 I am looking forward to using your cards to send to my friends and my family. 🙂

Writing

Your cards make my want to write better
I have said I LOVE your cards!!! I have 4 sitting on desk to write because finally taxes are done lol
Keep up your beautiful work and thoughts ❤️. Judy

*Collector's Edition* Set of The Kindred Spirits Collection

Each card is a gift in itself!

I received my latest shipment of cards and was immediately warmed by the personal, handwritten message on the outside of the shipping envelope, saying "may these cards bring you joy!" Well, trust me -- they did! I love the artwork, the messages, and the personal touch in each creation.

Drawn to Beauty

Once again you have hit it out of the ballpark. I love these cards (as I do every card I have gotten from you). The pictures are stunning, the card stock is the perfect weight and feel, and the seals are a wonderful touch.

I sent this to my daughter to give to a friend. She absolutely loved it!! 💕😊

These are great!! So much information. Good information! Im glad my writing is boosting my mental health!!

+BONUS! Mental Health Insert and Thank You Insert

I love these stamps, so unique! I am going to frame three, and send the rest to my happy mail friends!!

I love the earth angel! I have sent it out and my recipients love it! Great shopping experience, full of love! 💕

Love this saying and the design of the postcard!! Great work!! 😊💕

Beautiful cards!! These ladies are so talented! They bring a smile to my face with every delivery!! 💕😊

Love the Kindred Spirits Collection

The Kindred Spirits Collection is really nice. I started buying cards one by one, but then noticed that they were available as a set. Perfect! And they’re so beautiful and the words on each are amazing.

*Limited Edition* Complete Set of The Kindred Spirits Collection

Beautiful Cards

I ordered these cards because I was looking for something unique and lovely. They hit the mark! I love the sentiments and all the ideas included with making note writing more meaningful. I have 4 sisters and your story touched me. I wish you much success in your business!

Choice for Noters.

The sensual beauty of the paper, the ink palette and artistic style come together with quirky personal touches to make cards that are both gifts and modes of communication. I recommend Tiny and Snail cards to anyone who takes written notes seriously Buy now, mail soon.

To have and to hold

If you’ve ever been invited to a wedding where you don’t really know the bride or the groom (ie they’re the kids of your second cousin twice removed or some such relation), this card is the perfect solution. You can never go wrong with animals.

Fabulous Bday Cards!

Beautiful Birthday cards you will not find in a store! I'm all set for my Spring Birthday's! Thank you Tiny and Snail :)

More than a card!

This collections of cards is simply the best! The art work is intricate and special. Details pop out as you examine each card closely…and your friends will feel extra special receiving the card you select for them. Each card could be framed…and the message inside saved forever. LOVE Tiny and Small💛

Such a well worded card message!

You have inspired me to once again send a special message in your delightful cards 🙂

Thank you so much! I will be sending your cards out to many friends ❤️

Great card for today’s times!

I love the artwork and simplicity of this card so much! It leaves the ball in the court of the receiver to reach out if they would like, while letting them know you’re thinking of them. I find it to be a perfect card for some many reasons.
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Welcome

Lovely and beautiful quality

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