YYC Crafts
- YYC Crafts
- Calgary, AB
- @yyccrafts
- yyccrafts.ca
Learn more about YYC Crafts
YYC Crafts began as a creative outlet during a season when I needed something that was just mine. I’ve always loved making things by hand, but at the time I wasn’t sure what direction it would take. What started as experimenting with paper, textures, and design slowly grew into something much bigger.
Along the way, I realized how powerful a handmade card can be – it often becomes part of someone’s memory. That realization is what inspired me to turn a hobby into a business. I wanted to create meaningful pieces that people would feel proud to give and excited to receive.
YYC Crafts is a handmade stationery and paper goods business focused on thoughtful, meaningful gifting. I create plantable greeting cards, gift tags, and confetti using seed paper that’s designed to be planted after use, allowing the card to grow into wildflowers. Each piece is made with intention, from the design stage to the final packaging, with an emphasis on sustainability and craftsmanship.
My process begins with designing the artwork and sentiments, often inspired by nature, everyday moments, and the idea of connection. The seed paper I use is sourced from a Canadian, woman-owned business and is made from recycled materials embedded with non-invasive wildflower seeds. Once printed, each card is carefully cut, assembled, and finished by hand, making every piece slightly unique.
I don’t come from a formal design or art background; my skills have been developed through hands-on learning, experimentation, and a genuine love of making things. Over time, YYC Crafts has evolved from simple paper designs into a business rooted in eco-conscious choices and supporting local and Canadian makers whenever possible. What makes my work unique is the combination of handmade quality, sustainability, and the idea that a card doesn’t end when it’s read – it continues to grow.
My best selling products are my plantable seed paper greeting cards. They combine thoughtful design with sustainability, allowing the recipient to plant the card and grow wildflowers. Customers love that they’re not just giving a meaningful message – they’re giving an experience that’ll continue to last long after it’s received.
I believe my plantable seed paper cards are so popular because they completely change what people expect from a greeting card. Instead of being read once and discarded, the card becomes something living. Once planted in soil and watered, it grows into wildflowers – turning a heartfelt message into an experience that supports pollinators and helps create small ecosystems in gardens, balconies, and green spaces where they’re planted. In a world where sustainability matters more than ever, that feels meaningful.
A big part of their appeal is the care that goes into every material choice. Before committing to seed paper, I spent time researching suppliers to find the highest quality option available. While seed paper can easily be sourced through large online marketplaces, it was important to me to work with a Canadian company that aligned with my values. I chose Botanical PaperWorks, a woman-owned business that produces biodegradable seed paper made from recycled materials collected from local schools and businesses. The paper is embedded with non-invasive wildflower seeds such as Black-Eyed Susan, Bird’s Eye, Clarkia, Catchfly, Sweet Alyssum, and Snapdragons – ensuring it’s both environmentally responsible and reliable to grow.
Each card is thoughtfully designed using commercially licensed graphics paired with original sentiments. I carefully arrange every layout to ensure the design prints beautifully on the textured seed paper while maintaining balance and readability. After printing, every card is cut, assembled, and packaged by hand in my studio. Because seed paper has natural variations, no two cards are ever exactly alike – and that handmade quality is something customers genuinely appreciate.
Ultimately, I think their popularity comes down to intention. People want to give something that feels thoughtful, sustainable, and lasting. My cards aren’t just meaningful messages – they’re gifts that once planted, continue to give back to the environment and the people who receive them.
Oooh, this is a hard one to answer because I truly love them all – but if I had to choose, it would be the Better Together Collection. I love how versatile it is and how well it resonates with customers throughout the entire year, not just for one specific occasion.
The collection includes 26 greeting cards featuring kawaii-style food characters that naturally pair well together, like salt & pepper, soy sauce & sushi, or ketchup & fries. Each card plays on that pairing with sentiments like “you’re the salt to my pepper,” making them perfect for anniversaries, friendships, encouragement, or just because.
What I love most about this collection is how joyful and lighthearted if feels while still being meaningful. Customers connect with the idea of belonging and partnership in a fun, approachable way, and it’s always one of the most talked-about collections at markets and online. It’s playful, versatile, and genuinely makes people smile – which is exactly what I want my cards to do.
2023
Greenbriar Market & Refillery
