That's a Wrap: A Christmas Coffee Collab
This past December, I had the privilege of partnering once again with my favorite coffee shop, Brass Horn Coffee Roasters. They reached out to ask if I would design a Christmas-themed box to house their seasonal Christmas Blend, and I couldn’t have been more excited. Any opportunity to collaborate with Brass Horn feels special, and this project was especially meaningful because it allowed me to create something fully customized for them using my printmaking style.
As you’ve probably gathered by now, I’m a big fan of birds. So naturally, they became the heart of this design. I wanted the box to feel festive, local, and full of warmth, so I illustrated common winter birds you’d see right here in Middle Tennessee. To tie everything back to the love of coffee, I had each bird brewing coffee using a different method, an appreciation of the many ways we all enjoy our daily cup.
To make the scene even cozier, I gave each bird a hat and scarf, bundling them up for the cold months ahead. Those small details were some of my favorite parts to work on, and they helped bring a sense of charm and personality to the final piece. The goal was for the box to feel joyful, inviting, and a little bit whimsical, something you’d want to leave out on your counter throughout the season.
This project was an absolute delight from start to finish, and I’m incredibly grateful to Isaac Cox, who filmed the process reel for us (you can view it here). Not only is it a beautiful video, but it also highlights the way I balance analog design with digital production; keeping the heart of handmade work while adapting it for mass printing. That balance is something I care deeply about, and it was rewarding to see it captured so thoughtfully on film.
I’m truly happy with how this project turned out, and I’m excited about several new clients who have reached out wanting to do something similar, combining analog processes within the digital landscape. It feels really encouraging to see that kind of appreciation for handmade work and thoughtful design.
I hope to continue working with Brass Horn Coffee Roasters in the future. They will forever be my home away from home, and I’m so thankful for the trust they place in me for this and previous projects.
If you’d like to learn more about my branding project with Brass Horn back in 2021, you can find that blog post here. Want to get to know Brass Horn Coffee Roasters, check out their website here.
I love working with local and artisan businesses who take exceptional pride in their work. If you have an idea for a project and are interested in collaborating, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to fill out the inquiry form on this page, and let’s see what we can create together.
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With ink-stained gratitude,
Emily Ciecka