Creativity has always been at the heart of my life, fostered from a young age in a home where making things by hand was both encouraged and celebrated. I have fond memories of spending time in my dad’s woodworking shop in the basement of our home, where I’d help (sometimes begrudgingly) with everything from fetching tools to sketching out plans for the projects he was always working on. I admired the care and pride that he placed in his craft, whether it was fixing things around the house, making new pieces of furniture, or building a cherished wooden playhouse. And every Christmas, I kid you not, my stocking would be filled with tools—Allen wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers—you name it. While not exactly what I wished for as a kid, I came to really appreciate and use those gifts later on in life. Growing up in this hands-on environment also taught me something invaluable—if you understand the tools and materials required for a project, and make a sound plan, you can create just about anything.
This early foundation in making and problem solving, paired with my growing interest in visual arts, led me to explore just about every art class imaginable in school, and ultimately paved the way for my career in Graphic Design. At college, I attended a design program that was five years long as opposed to a traditional 4-year degree. This extra year allowed time for professional experiences, such as internships, to be included as part of the curriculum. As I progressed through my degree, I had the good fortune of interviewing for and securing internships at three different companies, gaining real-world experience in book publishing, multi-disciplinary design, and technology.
One of those amazing companies was Apple. I was lucky enough to intern with them on two separate occasions and was offered a year-long apprenticeship upon graduating college. After my apprenticeship year concluded, I accepted a full-time position on their in-house Design team and officially moved to California—the place I’d call home for the next 4 years. During this time, I was able to dive deep into a variety of projects that encompassed packaging, seasonal campaigns, product art direction, lifestyle photography, editorial design, lettering, illustration, and event branding. I learned what it meant to be truly obsessed with the details, at every stage of a project, and to also understand the sheer amount of iteration, collaboration, and communication required to make something not just great but exceptional.
While this experience was certainly one of the greatest highlights of my professional career, I had always felt a little inkling in my heart that there was more I wanted to do and more I wanted to learn that was outside the confines of my role. As an in-house designer, my work was centered around the audience, voice, visuals, and goals of the company—not necessarily a reflection of my personal aesthetic, interests, and/or values. Eventually, I reached a tipping point where I realized I no longer wanted to play a supporting role in someone else’s empire—I wanted to be the one in charge of creating and writing my own story.
Leaving Apple was both bittersweet and, quite honestly, really terrifying. I was filled with conflicting feelings of leaving behind a stable, creative job and wondering if I was truly capable of building my own business that could also financially support me. I thought about my peers continuing down the corporate path inevitably being promoted, and whether I’d feel left behind. In the end, I realized that the only thing scarier than stepping into the unknown was the regret I’d have to live with if I hadn’t at least tried. Resolute in my decision to take that chance, I packed up all my things, with my adorable dog Chewie in tow, and moved to Colorado for a fresh start.
During this transition, I decided to take on freelance design work while giving myself permission and time to explore new things that I was always curious about and never had the time or energy for. In the following months, the seeds for my brand Dear Kindred Spirit were planted. A name that reflected my deep desire to connect with like-minded artists and creatives who shared my delight in paper and illustration. I started to share more on social media with the simple goals of putting myself “out there” and to document the process of making art and creating my own line of stationery goods. Little did I know, those first small steps were setting the stage for wonderful connections and opportunities that have kept me going.
The decision to run my own creative business and make my own products has been incredibly rewarding, but it hasn’t been without its fair share of challenges. Battling self-doubt, overwhelm, and dealing with unexpected detours have all been a part of the process. Over time, I’ve learned to embrace the idea of pivoting when necessary with the understanding that growth often means adjusting course. Instead of fixating on external markers like social metrics or “success” I ask myself, “Am I learning what I want to learn?” This mindset keeps me rooted in creativity and reminds me to celebrate the journey, even when the path isn’t linear.
Looking back, I can clearly see the thread that connects my joy of making things by hand, stemming from the basement of my childhood home, to the path I’m on today. Last summer, driven by a desire to expand my bookbinding skills and solidify my focus on handmade books, I attended a weeklong intensive at the San Francisco Center for the Book. This experience was transformative—one of those rare sparks where I could see my design background, fascination with paper, and love of craftsmanship converge in a way that felt almost magical. And now, I find myself embarking on a new chapter, excited and ready to dive deeper into the world of bookbinding and share my learnings, thoughts, and reflections along the way.
As I wrap up this post, I want to thank you for taking the time to learn more about my story. For a long time, I hesitated to share, unsure if my story was worth telling. But I’ve realized that every story matters, including yours. The paths we take, the challenges we endure, and the curiosities we follow all shape who we are and connect us in meaningful ways. I’m so excited to welcome you here and hope you enjoy what’s to come.
With love & kindness,
–Allyx
