Los Angeles - November 17, 2006

A Handmade’s Tale

Townsend Sakai Cards

You are Krafty with a capital K. As in powdered cheese with macaroni elbows.

But crafty with a C? That would be Townsend Sakai, a new greeting card company from Long Beach.

Designs are embroidered onto muslin then stitched onto a nice, heavy cardstock. Send specific well wishes with pieces in the Seasonal and Life collections, like the baby buggy and the wedding cake. Pink poppies, hibiscus, and other florals in the Nature group fit any occasion.

The Modern group is full of bold patterns and items from everyday life, like telephone wire and a stylish chair silhouette. You can write “Happy birthday!” or “Go team you!” or “How cute is this card?” on the piece of thick, white paper that’s sewn inside.

Send a few off these out, and soon you’ll get a rep for being remarkably crafty.

In a totally uncheesy way.

Available at Urbanic Paper Boutique, 1644 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, between Venice and Palms Boulevards, Venice (310-401-0427); Soolip Paperie & Press, 8646 Melrose Avenue, between La Cienega and San Vicente Boulevards, West Hollywood (310-360-0545). To see styles, go to townsendsakai.com.