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

Beautiful Little Print

Stunning print! Takes me to a mountains and that fun outdoor feeling on days I’m stuck inside. Also love the tie in to restoration and preservation of our amazing planet.

Limited Edition of The Wild Collection Mini Print - Wild & Precious

One of my BEST finds.

I've sent several "you got this/you're a wonderful mother" nurturing cards to my two daughters who are new moms of first babies. They've thanked me profusely and said the cards are reassuring and affirming. I have a friend with cancer and his wife (my best friend for decades) is his caregiver. The cards I've sent them reflected compassion and support. The cards are amazing and their messages comforting and inspiring.....

Amazing!

Tiny and Snail are curing the world, one card at a time. Little things made with a lot of heart and art and thought and love. Special cards for all sentiments and blank inside to be creative. Get in touch with those you miss and love. Snail ( and tiny) mail makes me smile.

Send a ray of sunshine

I am so pleased with all the cards I got from Tiny & Snail , but I'm particularly fond of this one. Love the sentiment & all the daisies surrounding it on the card. It's made with very high quality cardstock & love the creativity of the design.

Love this pack!

I love ALL your cards and great to have extras for everyday! :) Happy to support small businesses!

Beautiful card

This card makes you feel something. Definitely want to purchase again.

bring in the light

As the nights grow longer, we need the light of beauty, art, and human connection ever-the-more. I can't imagine a collection of cards that fulfills all of these needs better than Drawn to Beauty. Thank you, as always, T&S, for staying tuned to our hearts.

*Limited Edition* Complete Set of The Drawn to Beauty Collection

Such a beauty!

Well crafted card with such an important message of appreciation! I love it and will be ordering more!

My Husband Stole My Cards!

Good thing I bought two sets of cards on my last order because when my husband found out that I was sending little notes to our friends and family he decided he wanted to write to people too! Thank you for creating such beautiful cards! I will definitely be a repeat customer

*Collector's Edition* Set of The Drawn to Beauty Collection

I love this dreamy image!

I'm not sure what occasion I'll pick for this card but I can't wait to send it to someone who will love it!

Lovely blank card!

I know my nature loving brother will love this card!

I needed this card this week!

This was the perfect card to send a friend who had to send her dog over the Rainbow Bridge this week! Sending a high quality card like this shows you really care!

Stunningly beautiful

My favorite is the “this is all a miracle” card. It reminds me that sometimes I need to appreciate where I am now instead of always striving for “more” (though we still need some of both)

My Favorite Tiny & Snail Collection Yet!

The colors are rich and the landscape scenes make me want to step from my writing desk right into the worlds so beautifully created by the talented artist who designed this set of quality cards, my favorite collection from Tiny and Snail yet. What I love most are the painterly designs. What I love next is the fact that these cards can be sent for any reason and occasion! I also love the feeling of fall and the abstract designs in the cards as well. The beautiful abstract designs also work well for any occasion. Tiny and Snail cards are gifts in themselves!

Beautiful cards!

I adore these beautiful cards for the quality and inspiringl art work.

Moon Through The Pines

This is a nice all around card for just about any occasion. I’m glad I added it it to my stash and look forward to sending it to the right recipient.

Leave Love Everywhere

I was drawn to this card because Purple is my favorite color. (It was my Mother’s Birthstone. February.) She’s been gone for decades. Over the years this color has become my color that I find, I gravitate towards. Autumn Leaves signal so many things especially here in New England where I hail from. The end of fairer weather and a prelude o hunkering down and delving into forgotten pastimes.

May Angels Watch Over You

I hadn’t realized the back story on this card till just now. I bought the card because I liked it … now it resonates more, as it has this meaning behind it.

Stunning!!!

These cards nearly took my breath away. They are even more stunning 'in person' than as seen on the website. They're truly works of art--I almost hate to use them!

Inspiration and quality…

I love this collection that draws its inspiration from the natural world around us. This is such a universal theme, and this company’s use of quality paper makes the experience of using it such a delight from both a tactile and visual standpoint.

Breathtaking colors

The whole collection is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for the beauty and the sentiments. I can't wait to share these beauties with the world.

Beautiful

Such a beautiful set of cards. The artwork is thoughtful.

Stellar Collection!

These cards are incredibly breathtaking and appropriate for so many life occasions. Colors are vibrant and images are meticulously detailed and crisp. Would very highly recommend to anyone! Thrilled customer here!

Beauty To Send!

I love, love, all the cards in this series! What to keep and what to send??? From Rainbows to mountains, ALL the cards are gorgeous. The cards I can part with are in the mail. I enjoy spreading joy and hope, and these cards take that to new levels.
Many thanks, Tiny and Snail!!!!

Another great collection

Blown away by the art and spirit of these cards. Beautiful leaves and landscapes. Most of the cards have no words, which makes them extra versatile. The ones with words are heartfelt without seeming sappy or forced.

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