Focus on...Ello There!

I came across Ello There last week while browsing wedding invitations on etsy. No, I do not currently have a ring on my left ring finger, I just like to plan ahead! And look at lovely invitations. Crisp, graphic design will always be in style and I think Ello There hits that mark quite nicely. They also use motifs that tap into my love of vintage, while maintaining the clean look I (would) want. I contacted them about doing an interview and Jonathan (half of the talented duo) got back to me with these answers!

Tell me some basic info about yourselves.

We have been married for two years and Maddy just graduated with a BFA in photography, and I am about to graduate with a BFA in graphic design. We work together all the time on projects so this etsy shop is a collaborative effort on both our parts. We currently reside in Rexburg, Idaho where we are going to school at BYU-Idaho but plan on moving to Seattle in April, we'll see where life takes us from there!

{ferris wheel invitation}

What kind of mediums do you use and why?

It always starts with my sketchbook, and then I develop the ones I like into invitations. I love using real textures, I make them from block prints, and scan them in to use in my designs. Then I finish everything up in Adobe Illustrator.

{vintage calendar save the date}

What made you decide to sell on etsy?

We made a couple of etsy shops that didn't really take off before deciding to do wedding invitations. We started it in the fall of 2008; I wasn't happy with my job at the time, and I thought it would be good to start selling invitations on etsy. I love the idea behind etsy, that anyone can start making money off of their creativity. I wanted to create invitations that were simple and non-traditional and etsy was the right place to do it.

{two birds, one tree invitation}

Where do you get your inspiration?

I love Paul Rand and Charlie Harper, I get a lot of inspiration from the mid-century modern designers, and my invitations tend to have a vintage, simplistic feel to them because of this. I also love a good design blog, like Grain Edit.

{chalkboard wedding invitation - my fave}

What is your favorite music to craft by?

We have developed a little addiction to vinyl. We both love Velvet Underground, but we have our personal tastes too. I love listening to Drew Danburry, a local artist from Utah. Maddy loves Of Montreal, the Beatles, and lately has been really digging the compilation album put out by Sparklehorse and Danger Mouse, Dark Night of the Soul.

{save the date couple}

If you were an animal, what would you be?

I would be a bear, and Maddy would be a bird.

{wedding on the beach invitation}

What's your favorite piece of your own work?

We both agree on this one, our invite with the bus and hearts called Love Bus. We would probably use it for own invitation if we could travel back in time.

{book love save the date}

What are your favorite blogs right now?
Cup of Jo, Grain Edit, Friends of Type, Sweet Juniper, and Tom and Lorenzo.

{two little owls invitation}

You can find Jonathan and Maddy at any of the below links:

Ello There Etsy Shop

Ello There Blog

Seth Lucas Design

Maddy Lucas Photography

*Thanks for the interview, Jonathan and Maddy! I wish you continued success!*