Lettering Works Business Journal - August in Review

BusinessPersonal

Aug 31

~ NOW BOOKING PROJECTS FOR OCTOBER 2026 & BEYOND ~ If you’d like your brand to be expressed in a creative, real way to get the attention of your customers, let’s chat.

BUSINESS JOURNAL: A PLACE TO CELEBRATE WINS & REFLECT - 80TH EDITION

August’s highlights included launching new Chicago washi tape, putting embroidered patches into production for National Geographic’s Museum of Exploration, spending some time in Wisconsin, co-hosting Sunnyside Chats, participating in the Choose Chicago Partner Showcase, and working on new concepts for a Chicago-theatre-inspired collection.

Artist Chelsie Tamms stands in front of Paper & Pencil with a bag full of Chicago washi tape she is delivering — Washi tape delivery to Paper & Pencil in Andersonville

Chicago Food and Chicago Icons washi tape by lettering works is displayed on a sketchbook. There are torn pieces of the tape spread across the page to show the variety of Chicago illustrations included. — Chicago Food & Chicago Icon Washi Tape

Chelsie holds up two rolls of Chicago style washi tape in front of the Paper & Pencil storefront. One roll is red with Chicago food illustrations and the other roll is navy with other Chicago illustrations. — Washi tape delivery to Paper & Pencil in Andersonville

The Big Wins

Launched new Chicago-inspired washi tape in two styles: Chicago icons and Chicago food. You can find it in stores at Paper & Pencil in Andersonville, the Driehaus Museum Store in River North, and Pixie & The Boy in Logan Square. I also restocked my Chicago Skyline enamel pins. Chicago Hot Dog luggage tags and new Chicago Skyline embroidered patches are coming soon.
Put custom embroidered patches for National Geographic’s Museum of Exploration into production. If you missed me sharing last month, you can take a closer look at the custom stickers and enamel pins I created for the museum’s store here.

Top view of lettering artist Chelsie Tamms working on illustrating and hand-lettering a variety of stickers for mental health awareness — If you are a lettering artist or type-loving designer in Chicago who uses Adobe products, reach out to me!

A group of female small business owners gather at two tables inside of Indigo and Violet craft studio to discuss business challenges and support each other. — My first Sunnyside Chats as official co-host on Wednesday, August 19th

Chelsie and her mom sit inside a model Sky Glider seat in T-Mobile pink with a sign that reads Wisconsin State Fair — Wisconsin State Fair with my mom

Chelsie stands in front of a cow statue by the Milk House at Wisconsin State Fair. She is holding a glass of root beer flavored milk and smiling. — Root beer milk at Wisconsin State Fair

Chelsie is holding a small live-painted portrait that showcases her vibrant green and cream pineapple outfit and highlights her pomegranate tattoo. In the background there is a table where the artist sits painting additional live portraits. — Live-painted portrait from Tia’s Authenticity Party at Carnivale

Choose Chicago Partner Showcase at McCormick Place

Chicago Has the Best Food Hand-Drawn Sticker featuring bold white lettering and "Best" lettered on the drippy cheese of a Chicago-style deep dish pizza slice and "Food" lettered on the poppy seed bun of a Chicago-style hot dog. — Chicago Has The Best Food Sticker

Sweet Home Chicago sticker design with cursive lettering on top a navy background with two, six-point Chicago stars. There is a thick light blue border behind the navy and a bold red border behind the light blue, which match Chicago's flag colors. — Sweet Home Chicago Sticker
*(submitted to Stick Together)*

Hand-Lettered sticker reads "I'm from the Chicago Suburbs" in white lettering on a bright, light blue background with a thick red border. — I’m From The Chicago Suburbs Sticker

Agreed to co-host a Kernference Watch Party with Adobe in Chicago this October and started early-stage planning with the team. If you are interested in attending the Kernference virtually, feel free to use my affiliate link when you register.
Spent some time in Wisconsin. One highlight included going to Wisconsin State Fair with my mom where we enjoyed unique treats like root beer milk, fried cheese curds, and New Glarus Raspberry Tart soft serve.
Co-hosted Sunnyside Chats with Leigh of Indigo & Violet Studio. If you are a small business owner or creative in Chicago looking for community, I hope you’ll join us on September 16th, October 7th, and November 4th at Indigo & Violet Studio.
Launched my new collection of Chicago souvenir stickers. Best sellers so far are Chicago Has The Best Food, Sweet Home Chicago, and I’m from the Chicago Suburbs.
Participated in the Choose Chicago Partner Showcase where I got helpful feedback on my new stickers and made some great connections.
Worked on custom designs for the Driehaus Museum, Marty Wombacher of Meanwhile Back in Peoria, Jessica Lackey of Deeper Foundations, and more.
Kept up with wholesale orders including restocks for the Milwaukee Art Museum, Rally House in Wrigleyville, Midwest Nice, and the Field Museum.
Drafted my presentation for my Visual Voices lecture at Bradley University next month. I also booked another trip to Peoria to attend my 10th year reunion in October.
Enjoyed Summertime in Chicago. We saw Lord of the Rings at Millennium Park with friends and The Notebook as part of our Broadway in Chicago subscription, attended Tia’s Authenticity Party at Carnivale, and caught a magic show at Cosmic Underground Theater.
Celebrated 9 years since my dad’s second kidney transplant by advocating for organ donation. If you haven’t seen my Cool Beans project, please take a moment to check it out.
Submitted my “Sweet Home Chicago” sticker design to be included in Stick Together, a new exhibition presented by You Are Beautiful and the Design Museum of Chicago. The opening reception will be on Saturday, September 12 from 6-8pm at YAB HQ.
Worked on initial concepts for a new Chicago Theatre inspired collection and had a really exciting meeting with the League of Chicago Theatres. More to come next month.

August was filled with lots of work - both on personal projects and client projects - as well as fun summer moments and some extra time in Wisconsin.

In September, I’m looking forward to celebrating Flyover Chicago reaching 1 million riders, going on the All for the Love of Chicago Southside Field Trip, giving a Visual Voices lecture at Bradley, and making progress on my new Chicago Theatre inspired collection. My schedule is fairly full for the remainder of the year, so if you want to work together in 2026, please reach out. I am continuing to prioritize large wholesale orders, custom merchandise design, and branding.

Thank you for being here, for supporting me, and for following along with my entrepreneurial journey.

PS - Have a project you’d like to chat about? Send me the details now to ensure your project gets on my calendar in 2026. Bring on all the logos, branded merchandise, + brand identity projects… let’s make some beautiful + impactful things together.

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