I’ll Follow You: On Papercraft and Feminism with Sadie Teper

Today on I’ll Follow You, I’m so delighted to be in conversation with visual artist and graphic designer Sadie Teper.

(You can stream our chat via the embed here or pretty much anywhere else you source your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and Google Podcasts.)

Sadie is the founder and owner of Twentysome Design. Twentysome is a lady-powered feminist stationery and gift brand. Sadie’s design background enables her to create bright and colorful hand-lettered designs that empower and inspire others to spread the message of positive change while still encompassing cheeky wit and feminist fun. Plus, she makes it a priority to donate more than 5 percent of her company’s annual profits to organizations such as Planned Parenthood, EMILY’S List, National Network of Abortion Funds, and Black Futures Lab. You can shop her online store at twentysome.design or find her work in select bookstores and gift shops around the country.

Much like Sadie’s cards and stickers counter the enduring myth that feminists are nothing but a bunch of dour, angry killjoys, our chat today is full of laughs. We talk about the origin of her brand name; how the text on her first greeting cards was really just an extension of her own inner monologue; how her art classes in college taught her how to not take personal criticism too seriously; how going on a date with a Tr*mp supporter made her realize she needed to get more vocal about her own political beliefs; the reason why the stationery industry isn’t particularly cutthroat; and the big difference between someone suggesting a topic for a card and someone suggesting the exact wording for a card.

And of course, if you’re listening to this on or around the day it’s originally released, this is the perfect time to browse the Twentysome website for all your various holiday card needs.