Melanie's journey into the world of graphic arts has been anything but conventional – graduating with a Law Degree from the University of Alberta in 2001, her sights were set on a very different career path. At the same time, she and husband David were starting a young family and welcomed their first two children into the world, a son in 2003 and a daughter in 2005. While on maternity leave from her law practise in 2005, Melanie revived a passion for art and illustration that she had had since she was a young girl, and began designing photo cards and other social stationery for family and friends as a hobby. It was a natural progression for that hobby to evolve into a new career path, and in 2006 Little Star Greetings was introduced to the Canadian stationery market with immediate success. When asked about her transition from lawyer to designer, Melanie says that “stationery design offered a creative outlet that had been missing from my law career, and it also allowed me to work from home with my beautiful young children. It fulfils me on so many more levels.   I absolutely love our amazing and devoted clients - it brings me joy each and every day to work with all of you to add that special, creative touch to your events and occasions, and celebrations. ”

With the birth of another daughter in 2008, Melanie and David's family has grown and so has Melanie's following of devoted clients. Her designs are a unique blend of elegant and whimsical, modern and timeless, full of little surprises and unexpected details, including original illustrations and innovative colour combinations.

In addition to designing for products for the Little Star line, Melanie was also recently commissioned to design a line of photo greeting cards, calendars and other products for Chapters/Indigo (which will soon be available in Chapters/Indigo locations across Canada), and also designs a photocard line for an American company, PhotoAffections.

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Being artistically talented at an early age, Nam‘s journey into creative design started when she graduated in Architectural Technology about seven years ago and worked for a property development company in Toronto.    After getting married and shortly thereafter becoming pregnant, Nam stayed home to raise three beautiful and energetic children.  Just about two years ago, Nam entered her first holiday card design challenge for a crowd sourcing company and earned a second place prize.  Since then, she has been consistently winning and receiving jury selections.  Her collective style is versatile, from modern, elegant and whimsical to retro-inspired.  She is currently branching out through multiple channels with her love of design and illustrations.   How does she do it while staying home with three young children?    “I have an insatiable appetite for learning new things and embracing creativity.  The accessibility of the internet 24/7 is such a powerful resource for everyday inspirations, communication and knowledge.  And without it, I don’t think I could achieve my desired level of creativity in my work.”     

Nam now resides in Richmond Hill, Ontario with her loving, supportive husband and three young children.  She enjoys taking the kids outdoors – biking, nature walks and playing in the park – ending the day with a good cuddlle and reading their favourite books.  When she’s not glued to the computer, Nam enjoys cooking, sewing, gardening and playing badminton.  She hopes to get her hubby to take lessons in salsa and mambo dancing.  When the night is quiet, Nam is on the prowl, creating, inspiring and learning.

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