About Tussie Mussie Press

Tussie Mussie: a small bunch of flowers and aromatic herbs. On the surface the dictionary definition is simple; however, in Victorian times, a tussie mussie was brimming with meaning. Every flower had an intended message—a rose for love, jade for friendship, and allium for strength. Then there is the printing press—the original printing device. Two items filled with historical necessity, that became items wanted for their beauty and story. My first viewing of a printing press came at a museum where a volunteer was printing bookmarks. I was hooked. So, when the opportunity came to buy someone’s basement printing business, I took it. My husband spent a month bringing three printing presses back to our 1,100 sq. ft. home, and after many hours fine-tuning the machines, figuring out where exactly we were going to place them, and learning exactly how they worked, Tussie Mussie Press was in business. Since then, I have been refining my practice, acquiring type and cuts, learning more and more about the dynamics between the press, paper, and ink. My hope is that when someone purchases an item from my shop, they receive something beautiful, unique, and meaningful.Read their story