Write On

When her young son asked for help making a card for his cousin, Yonkers resident and former graphic artist Roseann DiBona had a light-bulb moment: why not create her own handmade alternatives to the same old ho-hum stuff hawked by Hallmark?

One year later, Unique Card Shoppe has a collection of 60-plus greeting and note cards featuring elaborate three-dimensional embellishments, hand-tied ribbon, and thick-textured paper—each an original work of art. “I always keep my eyes open for things to put on my cards,” says DiBona, whose work is adorned with such items as seashells she collects from Jones Beach, unusual buttons uncovered in sewing shops, and delicate butterflies from girls’ hair accessories.

The cards, which sell for $3.50 and up each, are available at Reading, Writing, and Wrapping in Scarsdale; Topps Bakery in Bronxville; or online at uniquecardshoppe.com. Custom designs are available for orders of 10 cards or more.

Photo by Halina Sabath