BY HALEY SPECTOR
Unique and affordable almost never go hand-in-hand but Amanda Catherine Helmer of Amanda Catherine Designs has made it easy to find affordable typographic art that speaks to the young, stylish and go-getter women of Chicago.
The design darling was searching for inexpensive prints to decorate her own home when she realized there was a lack of trendy, inexpensive and sophisticated options. Some of the quotes on the posters are from prominent artists, women, or poets, but many of the posters are written by Helmer herself about smart and well-dressed women.
Helmer tries to find the perfect balance of classic and trendy in her designs, while gleaning color inspiration from trends in fashion. You can’t go wrong at $15 per print, whether you choose a print reminding you to “just be you” or that “she leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes.” Two of ou our favorites are the : the “favorite things pencils” and “hello cupcake” print, both perfect for those days that you need a little bit of inspiration.
Helmer began her business while studying architectural art history at The Art Institute of Chicago. She first launched an Etsy shop, but her business quickly expanded into something much larger and multi-faceted.
“I love the Etsy community and am grateful for my start there, but I always had a much bigger picture in mind,” Helmer said. “I am very excited to start seeing all that work begin to pay off.”
One of Amanda’s goals is to inspire young women who want to start their own business, and she generously shares her own learnings and experiences with others.
“Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions from those who know more,” Helmer said. “Mentors can be amazing in any field, so women can learn from people who have already “been there and done that” to save from making repeat mistakes.”
If you do make mistakes, Helmer advises using them as a learning experience. “Develop instincts and then trust them. Advice from others can be extremely helpful, but at the end of the day, you know your idea better than anyone.
For more information on Amanda Catherine Design, visit online or at the etsy store.
