Still working on those New Year’s resolutions? We know — we’re forever chasing those elusive “self-care” goals, too. We also know that personal wellness can mean a lot of different things!

Photo Credit – Vitamix

Is it a tall, vibrant green glass of juice? An invigorating pilates sweat-sesh? A calming meditation in your favorite quiet corner?

Photo Credit – MNT Studio / Elaine Hayes

These (of course, fantastic) methods are familiar — we know that juicing, pilates, and meditation can provide a boost to our mood and health… but what about placing a pen to deliciously-thick paper? Sighing over vibrant artwork — a swash of fuschia or hopeful spring green — before your pen scritch-scratches a message that promises an unexpected smile?

Mindfulness Retreat in Tresco, Sicily

Greeting Cards as Self-Care

Taking a few thoughtful moments to send a greeting card is self-care taken to the next level — it provides a warm boost for both the recipient and the sender.

Think about what it takes to write and send a card. You must stop fixating on things like work or laundry, recall feelings of a specific person, and give a bit of yourself to the page as you craft a small gift of meaningful words. There’s a hypnotic beauty to this, and it becomes a bit of a meditation in itself.

Roland Jouvent, in an article on handwriting for The Guardian, recognizes the romance of the hand-written word:

“There is an element of dancing when we write, a melody in the message, which adds emotion to the text.”

A Win for Wellness

There are many reasons to send a card, especially in times where sympathy and reassurance is needed. In those instances, a card with an intimate, personal touch will make a profound impact.

But there’s no need to wait for a momentous occasion — a simple, “How are your New Year’s resolutions coming?” is a great way to provide motivation to a friend who needs a little pick-me-up. And when you send a pick-me-up, you might be surprised at how refreshed you feel yourself.

Such a nice self-care win/win!

January may be in full swing with its blustery winds and frigid nights, but here at Masha D’yans Designs, we know the warmth of Valentine’s Day is just around the bend.

How comforting it is to have this gem of a holiday nestled up cozily in the coldest months of the year, providing a quick pick-me-up of connection and togetherness!  

We’ve got an eye-catching bouquet of new cards on our website, many of them a lovely fit for Valentine’s Day.

Watercolor Cards for Valentine’s Day

Take “A Rose from Bat,” for instance. Send this spunky Valentine’s Day card for a little romance with a whimsical twist, or simply let an old friend know you’d like to wish them well. Our little bat friend is all about spreading the love, no matter the recipient.

Or our “Bleeding Hearts Bunny,” combining the stunning romantic charm inherently found in nature with a little bit of magic, characteristic of Masha D’yans’ enchanting style. 

“Petals Dragonfly” is a versatile card, full of softness, and a gentle reminder of the delicate nature of love. With its pastoral feel and quiet, multifaceted meaning, this card can be used for many different occasions, ranging from a Valentine’s Day note to an expression of sympathy or care.

Masha’s “Heart Balloon Tree” offers a beautiful way to convey love, even in a time of loneliness or melancholy.  

Other new “all about the love” cards include: Hills House Red, Bouquet Outfit, Moth Party, Double Butterfly, Best Day Look, Pigeons with Balloons on Power Lines.

With Valentine’s Day so near, it’s a great time to place your individual and wholesale orders so you can warm someone’s mailbox this February!

Oh, it’s you! We’re really glad you’re here! Let’s take a moment to meet and greet (before this new year rolls too far along).

photo by Lika Brutian

I’m Masha, founder of Masha D’yans Design studio. Since before I could walk I liked to draw/paint/play on the floor and wear cool things. My earliest memory is admiring another baby’s white fluffy coat when I was just a few months old. I guess this means I always was and will be a visual creature (and a hopeless fashion junkie). I moved a lot as a kid (I’m talking neighborhoods first and continents later) so staying in touch with friends and family in those pre-social media days was everything. My favorite thing to do was to send drawings of cool things I saw or ideas I had with my letters. This led me to make unconventional cards and that’s what I still do! My cards are about visual ideas. If they resonate with you or someone you know, just add your message and voila, you’ll make someone’s day! We’re all so busy, but there’s nothing like receiving a little piece of touchable art in the mail or in person, even if it takes just a few minutes to personalize.⠀

xo ⠀
From Masha, with love.

While nature quietly breathes its sleepy winter sighs, we humans are experiencing a bit of an awakening. It’s the New Year, after all; a time for fresh starts and exciting beginnings.

Razzle-Dazzle Ruby pop-up book by Masha D’yans

Gazing Back at the Picture Books of 2017

The New York Times recently published its round-up of 2017’s best-rated picture books, and reading it has inspired and sparked remembrances of our own beginnings. From the honest, childlike wonder in Marc Martin’s A River, to the almost hauntingly whimsical imagery in On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Beatrice Alemagna, it’s easy to see how children’s books sparked so much inspiration in a young Masha D’yans.

Children’s picture books represent infinitely more than a simple way to learn to read. We have loved them since we could first look and touch, and they have shaped the course of Masha’s  life and career. Picture books provide a way to enjoy both story and art in four dimensions — adding the element of time to the experience. Time to which you can be transported, and years through which you can hold on to a single story.

Looking Forward To Our Own

sneak-peek of Polka Dot Parade

Now, in 2018, Masha has the pleasure of contributing the visual dimension to two vibrant picture books: Polka Dot Parade: A Book About Bill Cunningham by Deborah Blumenthal, and Flower Talk: How Plants Use Color to Communicate with Animals by Sara Levine. We’re equally joyful about Color Me Enchanted, a collaboration with Masha’s mother, Gala Lazuli. Released in 2017, this intricate coloring book highlights fairy tales from around the world, allowing the owner to contribute to that visual element themselves.

pages from Color Me Enchanted by Masha D’yans + Gala Lazuli

As we look to the New Year, it’s important to remember those beginnings that shaped us so early in our lives, so that we may honor them and continue in what they started.

We wish a Happy New Year to you all, and hope that this year’s beginnings shape your life in the best ways possible.

The way we see it, the holiday season is quite similar to a vibrant piece of art — subject to interpretation, it can spur different kinds of emotions in each individual. Depending on one’s point of view, a snowflake could signal anything from childlike glee to a deep, cold dread.

This is why we adore the idea of sending art in the form of a greeting card; it’s the perfect opportunity to capture what words might not be able to convey alone.

That being said, we do know there’s a blank canvas waiting in that card, and we’d love for it to complete a picture of warmth in the heart of your recipients. If you’re in search of the right words, try mixing the following tips into your holiday correspondence this season!

Gild it with some specifics.

Whether it’s a treasured memory or an inside joke, try including a little morsel of nostalgia or sentiment only the recipient will understand. This is a great way to elevate your message into something intimate and personal.

Is this holiday happy or harrowing?

Holiday cards are a time-honored tradition… but it’s important not to let tradition become impersonal. Before sending, ask yourself: Is this a happy holiday for this person? If not, be sure to acknowledge their feelings in addition to sending your warm thoughts.

Focus on making it meaningful.

Humor can add a fun punch to a holiday card if it’s appropriate, but only if it comes naturally. A few honest, thoughtful words are always more powerful than a cliche or a forced joke.

We’re happy you’re here, and we hope you find the upcoming holiday season infused with warmth and wonder.

Go on now, search masha.com/shop to find the perfect card!

We’re all about making someone’s day here at masha.com. Below we’ve collected 4 of this year’s hits created by Masha sure to surprise and delight your recipient. Let the gift giving party commence! Just don’t forget the fun holiday cards to go with them!

From top down: 1. Color Me Enchanted is an intricate coloring book of fairytales from around the world from Masha D’yans and Gala Lazuli. There’s over 50 artworks to color and display. Available on Amazon and wherever fine books are sold. 2. Winter Skyline is a pop-up greeting card designed by Masha for MoMA. Express your city love with fun watercolor splatters mixed with metallic ink and glitter details. Available in boxes of 8 from the MoMA store. 3. 2018 Calendar collects 12 of Masha’s painting in a luscious 12×12″ format to display on any wall – a perennial best seller. Available on Amazon and wherever fine books are sold. 4. Modern Chalet is a pop-up greeting card designed by Masha for MoMA. It features neon and metallic inks for one magically cozy effect. Available in boxes of 8 from the MoMA store.

Say hello to 10 fresh greeting cards to have and to write now! You don’t have to wait til spring to get your paws on these critters, landscapes and rainbows for all occasions. We had a blast painting them and hope you enjoy sending and giving them around for maximum fun. Scroll through all the newbies below or check them out at masha.com/shop.

Spring is in!
From Masha with Love.

We love your colors and outfits!

It’s time to peep our halloween collection.

October Monster by Masha D’yans

Our new calendar has been released into the world and is awaiting your lovely walls!

Available now at Amazon and wherever fine wall calendars are sold. Get yours (and a few for deserving others) before they flit away like so many summer butterflies.

2018 calendar by masha dyans

Resplendent June’s here reminding us to celebrate our favorite heroes of the father-variety! Pick a card, any card for the warrior who’s had your back, be it dad, uncle, grandpa, husband, brother, or mom or friend who played the role! They’d all love a fun token of your appreciation. Even if they’d never admit it in public.