Friday, December 20, 2013

Full of Inky Goodness

While out and about on a rare day without our adorable spawn, my spousal unit and I stopped in at HAMMERPRESS in the Kansas City Crossroads. You might be aware that old school printing is in resurgence. This is one of those shops that was at the lead and it cranks out unbelievably gorgeous concert posters, cards and stuff. Their selection is rounded out with fountain pens, sketching materials, journals and magazines.



But the best parts are the sounds and smells that go along with active printing presses. Way back when in middle school I had the experience of racking up type on a small scale. The words appearing on this screen are much easier, but perhaps not as gratifying.


The front showroom had plenty of shoppers as Christmas is just a week away. During the First Fridays art walks, the crowd here is always thick. It is nice see an independent, small business thriving. I spotted a 3D tear down rendering of a Soviet Leica knockoff and requested that Santa add it to my stocking. I'm eclectic and difficult to shop for.






Contrary to popular opinion, this blog isn't dead. It has been kind of zombie-like and for that I apologize. Life is good, but busy with work travel and balancing the demands of work and raising teens. My primary outlet remains Google + where I share photos almost daily. The ease of posting directly from my phone or tablet is seductive, indeed.

I am on vacation and will try to catch up on doings in the Typosphere. Regardless of how you stumbled upon this entry, thanks for reading!

12 comments:

  1. Now that is a shop I'd love to visit! Great photos!

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    1. It is a wonderful place. I'm posting shots from another amazing work space soon.

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  2. Good to hear you're still out there, Dwayne. Life does have a habit of getting busy all of a sudden. While I'm here, have yourself (and your family, natch) a very Merry Christmas!

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  3. I want to go there some day…you'd think that Seattle would have a place like this but I haven't found it.

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    1. Nick: The letterpress is out there. Seattle should be happening. One of our local print artists is a transplant from there.

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  4. Neat place -- thanks for sharing the good news that it's thriving.

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    1. Indeed. This is one of those small shops that weathered the Great Recession and has more business than ever.

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  5. How cool! The Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum (http://woodtype.org/) is in Two Rivers, WI (north of us a bit). Your post reminds us to get up there soon (now that they've reopened)

    Happy Solstice to The NerdHaus denizens one and all. :-)

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    1. Happy Solstice and holidays right back at you!

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  6. O my! It's the cabinets Valhalla! They are EVERYWHERE! I most certainly approve. :-)

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    1. The best part is that this type is actively used. So inky and marvelous...

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