Back in March, I attended the first official meeting for the Seattle Freelance Designer Co-Op. Being new to Seattle, it was the perfect opportunity to meet local creatives and take the temperature of the current design/freelance market in the Pacific Northwest. Several creative events had been held by the Co-Op since that first meeting, but today’s studio tour was one meet up I didn’t want to pass up. Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Becki Mullins of West Seattle’s Myrtle Alley Press. She opened up her letterpress studio to Co-Op members and we were given a tour of her space. This is where her magic happens.

Her studio walls were covered with a growing collection of letterpress prints including some original Hatch prints. It was awesome to hear her story and goals for her shop. She did a quick demo on her 8×12 C&P NS named “Jack,” and her Vandercook 219 OS “Ray,” (formerly owned by the late Chris Stern of Stern & Faye, Printers). Co-Op members were welcome to crank out a type poster to take home. With my days in Seattle coming to a close, it was great to have the opportunity to visit another local letterpress studio. Long live letterpress!

Along with the Smackdown, I also took the dollar tour of SVC. I visited their event vendor/exhibit hall and checked out their letterpress facilities. I also had the pleasure of meeting Carl Montford, wood engraver/printer at ‘The Montford Press.’ I printed up my own souvy on his tiny Sigwalt, Carl’s hand carved commemorative SVC 2009 steam engine. (BTW, that’s his hand in the photo.)

It was a quickie visit to SVC, but totally worth it!