Philly Spotlight: TOUCH OF HEART GREETING CARDS

Greeting Cards Making A Come Back

TOUCH OF HEART GREETING CARDS

a tiny, little division of Hallmock

In spike Jonze’s futuristic movie HER Joaquin Phoenix’s character has a job writing personal letters for people who love the idea of corresponding the old-fashioned way but don’t have time to put pen to paper. My friend Ira “Wally” Wolins’ new business, Touch of Heart Greeting Cards, puts me in mind of this movie, because he too has found a market for people who still enjoy sending real, tactile greeting cards, but they want to send something original with a touch of humor and a touch of heart.While in between jobs, Ira helped me to procure sponsors and giveaways for Tinsel & Tine. Now he’s a client! I’m glad he went on to pursue an outlet of his own. He’s always had a wonderful artistic sense and wacky sense of humor, so it’s perfect that he found a business that incorporates both. The cards are all handmade, so although the card sentiment may be used again, each card is a unique work of art.

I asked Ira a little bit more about when he started drawing:

I started drawing as a pre-schooler when my mother dragged me along with her to get her hair done at the local beauty parlor on Castor Avenue every Wednesday. The beehive look was alive and well at the time. She would hand me a tablet pad of paper and a pen which would keep me busy while she sat under a dryer to set her hairdo.

As I got older, I still drew on tablet paper and my father once accidentally grabbed one page that I drew on and placed an ad in “Popular Coins” magazine to sell some loose coins. The magazine publisher noticed my single panel sketch and asked my dad if I’d be interested in creating a coin cartoon strip in exchange for a subscription to the publication. That was my first published artwork at age fourteen.

I always enjoy making homemade greeting cards for family and friends until last year I was persuaded by co-workers to create them for market. In addition to making selections of cards for birthdays, anniversaries and get well cards, I can customize cards for people who get invited to weddings or parties to make their greeting card special by personalizing them.

You can purchase
Touch of Heart Greeting Cards
via Ira’s Facebook Virtual Store