Our Story

I always dabbled in art and design while growing up but never thought of myself as an artist (I still don't - I can't draw!). I studied economics and art history in college at UCSB and my first "real" job after graduating, was at an ad agency in Vail, Colorado (where I learned how to use an actual typesetting machine and photostat camera - I know I am dating myself here). After a few career fits and starts, I eventually found myself working in the sunglass/eyewear business where I mostly focused on product development and sales & marketing. I spent many years in eyewear, traveled the world on business and absolutely loved it, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I had always dreamed of having a greeting card business someday.

I began making some "to do" notepads on a whim after having a funny conversation with my girlfriend Jo about how we could never keep track of our to do lists once we had kids. Between work, kids, fun, home, pets, husbands, etc... it became down right impossible. My first notepad design was "to do or not to do." Well, I guess I choose "to do. " To complement my line of notepads, I eventually started designing some greeting cards (a dream come true) and here I am now...

It all started with a Wink and a smile...

I draw my inspiration for my work from my wonderful and lucky life and from both the beautiful Pacific ocean and the majestic mountains overlooking Palm Springs; my two wonderful children (who are actually adults now and do all they can to keep their old ma "modern" and with it); my amazing husband; my fabulous 90 year old mom "Bumblebee" (who still helps me with all things Skel) and traveling. Along the journey, my daughter, Lena joined the business (wearing many hats) + designing her own line of greeting cards called Skribbles. Skel & Co is definitely a family affair!

In addition to my papergoods company, I also run a design studio offering graphic design and creative services in both print and interactive media.

I hope my designs "inspire a little smile" in you!

-skel & Skulina (aka Lena) + Bumblebee

 

For those of you wondering where the name skel came from...

No, it is NOT from the urban dictionary definition:
1. Slang word for "criminal" used back in the 1940s-1950s
2. A street person, homeless or bum, especially a beggar or revolting vagrant. From the Dutch "skelder", to cheat. Usage more common on the East Coast.
3. A bottom-feeder, parasite, low-life con-artist type. They are usually found looking to cheat/beg others out of small amounts of money, or freeloading. May also be a drug addict, alcoholic, homeless, dirty, or a criminal, but not necessarily.

I actually got the nickname "skel" from my college girlfriends.../ was very skinny in those days and I danced like a skeleton - very loose limbed.