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: 

Blogs we've been on: 

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Love Cards Pack of 8
Robert Dollar
Really nice cards!

Heard about your story, really making lemonade. Excellent decorated cards, heavy stock, nice brown envelopes. My wife and I were so pleased we purchased more cards. Lovely!
We both wish you well., many successes.

Love these cards!

I ordered a bunch of these cards (and a sticker)and I just love them. So beautiful and a nice personal touch that only a small business has. Super friendly owners as well. Love, love!!

Lovely cards!

I was already in the habit of sending cards to certain friends and family who I know appreciate them. These cards are beautiful and unique. I’ve sent two of them and I know they’ll be loved. I was happy with the extras that came along with the cards— stickers and suggestions on sending the cards. Writing from the heart is hard for me and these cards are a help!

Sweet!

I received my first order and love the cards! And thank you for the gifts! Everything is sweet, beautiful, and from the heart, with a touch of whimsy too. I’m telling friends about your business and wish you the best.
Happy Camper,
Valerie

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Everyday Card Pack of 8
debby from wisconsin
beautiful cards

love the cards. love the weight, size, drawings, sayings. i used the first card for a college male's birthday and it was perfect. i especially enjoyed having the award stickers to seal the envelope closed. they, too, are high quality. i will definitely order more. great work !! - debby from wisconsin .

Heartfelt sentiments

I bought these cards to use for goodbye notes to a circle of friends and one special friend who is having a rough summer. The designs are unique and the thoughtful phrasing is unlike anything else out there. Am delighted to employ these as I wend my way to a different local. Thank-you!! Already had one complement on the cards.

Gorgeous Cards

So glad I purchased this box of cards! So lovely and well thought out. The artwork and phrases are gorgeous.

Encouraging Encouragement Cards

These Encouragement cards are definitely encouraging. As I looked over the collection, I thought of specific people who would benefit from each card. The artwork is so cool. The sentiments on the front of each card are cheerful and mood-boosting!

Be Kind to Your Beautiful Self

Perfect for sending to someone facing illness, recovering from surgery or injury, or in discouraging circumstances.

Dancing Rabbits

I want to be invited to this engaging dance! Lovely!

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Fox Wedding
Patricia Brown
Fox Wedding card

This charming card will be lovely to send to congratulate friends for either a wedding or a wedding anniversary.

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The Essential 16
Joan Seivert
So excited to have these beautiful cards to send out to friends ❣️

I’m also very glad to have found you and your beautiful creative expression in our world that appreciates your colorful heartfelt way of reaching out to others in a meaningful way 💖🥰🥳🤩🎁

Great set!

Great to have on hand for any occasion! Beautiful artwork 💙

Kick off your card writing practice!

I bought this set for myself, but it would make a wonderful gift for someone who wants to get into the practice of card writing. The little insert also helps with tips and ideas. The paper and envelopes are of excellent quality and the artwork is just so unique and unlike any other cards I've seen.

You'll be set for birthdays!

Such a helpful set! I like the variety of cards to fit all the people you might be sending a birthday card too. Also the little insert talking about writing cards is fun and helpful. I can't wait for "my people" to open their cards throughout the year.

Beautiful and a Good Deal

Due to age and mobility issues, I spend a lot of time at home. I was determined not to become self-absorbed so thought I'd start writing notes to friends and acquaintances. Although I had a drawer full of greeting cards, I wanted the cards I sent to be unique with art that touched my heart. Tiny and Snail is my new favorite card designer. My first purchase was a couple individual cards but with a little mental math realized it was cost effective to buy in bulk. I love, love the Mustard Farmhouse Bouquet...the flowers, the colors, the jar, the water...just perfect!

For the one the LOVES flamingo

Quality card stock, vivid colors. Love it!

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Firefly Light
Lisa Chabot
Perfect picture and saying

Saving for my daughter when she’s feeling down.

Simply Adorable

This card is utterly perfect (or should I say “orderly”? So sweet and gentle, the otters are wonderfully expressive.

Great cards

Beautiful heartfelt cards. Good quality.

Love in the mail

Sympathy cards are the hardest to send and finding the right words to let someone know you are thinking of them. This set is so beautiful (words and pictures) and something I’ll order again and again because we all go through difficult times and it is comforting to know you are not alone. I like being able to send love in the mail as a way to connect during those tough times.

Adore these everyday cards

Such beautiful cards to truly use for any and everything. Quality is impeccable and love the update to the envelopes plus stickers included for sending mail. Was recently able to spend some time with family and sent my 2yo niece one of these cards to share how much I enjoyed spending time with her. I hope to be able to send cards not just for holidays and birthdays but for all the everyday things and anytime visits.

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Everyday Card Pack of 8
Bonnie Buckingham
Sending a hug

These are the best hugs in the mail, even with postage stamps going up! It’s still a bargain !

I tested up!

This was the most beautiful meaningful gift my sister could’ve given me when I turned 25 (I’m 26 now) I was once in a car accident and they weren’t sure if I’d survive but by the hairs on my chiny chin chin I did! And I’d been in several positions where I was faced with misfortunes and I was face to face with death. She wrote a sweet paragraph inside it mentioning how I was phoenix to her and it made me cry so hard, it’s a birthday I definitely hold dear to my heart.

Everyday Cards pack

The quality is really nice--I used the "Magic in every stage" card to send to a friend turning 50. I thought it was quite appropriate!