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Learn how-to carve your own stamp and stamp it too in #ShopShowcase with Double Dutch Press in Athens, Georgia.
How did you get started?
Double Dutch Press was started in 2012 by Katherine McGuire and Amanda Burk. The two met in graduate school for printmaking at the University of Georgia and became fast friends with very similar work ethics. Zoom forward five or so years after living in different cities across the country, Katherine and Amanda ended up together again in Athens to start this fine art printmaking studio. After a year or more of writing a business plan and scoping out the right space and acquiring heavy equipment, Double Dutch opened its doors.
Where are you located?
We are located in the Normaltown neighborhood of Athens, Georgia. It's called Normaltown because there used to be a Normal Teaching School here (so called because they taught teaching standards or "norms"). We started in this location and have been open here for the last three years. This part of town has really been revitalized with some great bars, eating establishments and coffee shops neighboring some of the businesses that have been here for a way longer, like Agua Linda, Normal Hardware and the P&M Army Surplus Store (all are kind of icons in this part of town).
Which products do you specialise in?
We offer a line of designed and hand-printed goods such as greeting cards, postcards, stationery, tea towels, tote bags and limited edition prints. Everything we create and sell is an original design by Katherine or Amanda, unless it is part of our artist series where we collaborate with other artists locally or from around the country.
Do you have a particular favorite product that you sell?
Our favorite things we sell are probably our limited edition prints. They are all printed by hand by the two of us and use different print techniques like screen printing, woodblock printing, linoleum block printing, paper relief, etc. Our prints showcase our sensibilities and sense of humor and just a true love of the medium.
What's on the stereo?
On any given day the iPod is on a shuffle ranging from Otis Redding, Velvet Underground, The Ramones, The Clash, Toot and the Maytals, Hot Chip, Santigold, B-52s. Pretty much anything that makes you dance and fist punch the air.
Where else should we visit in your area?
So many great businesses here! You know about Revival Yarns, really inspiring and so many color ways there! Atomic and Starlite Showroom are great places to shop for vintage goodies. Grab a book from the great crew over at Avid Bookshop and then head to Dynamite to find a shirt with cats floating on pizza in space. Super rad!
Do you host any workshops, classes or special events?
We do teach workshops here. We have a rotating roster of workshops that you can register for on our website. We like to keep the workshops small, only four people per class. This way we can work with each individual on his or her idea. Some of our workshops and the techniques are a little involved so we have some classes that are taught in two or three parts, but we like the time spent at Double Dutch to be an experience and not a super-commitment.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know?
Athens is such a great town. You should come visit! But you should know that if you do, you may not leave. Athens has this siren song that stays with you once you have been here. Athens has been enthusiastically supportive of us and we hope we are a reflection of what Athens has to offer.
Do you have a favorite craft, art or supply shop in your town that we should feature? Send us a message!
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