The Painted Press began in November 2014, when I (Natalie) was an 18-year-old college freshman searching for the perfect handmade gifts for the holiday season. At the time, ring dishes weren’t a new idea, but I couldn’t find any that were simple, white, and accented with gold—so I decided to make them. I had some stamps from card-making and experimented with pressing names into the clay, something I hadn’t seen before. When I gifted the first batch to friends and family, they were a hit. Encouraged by how well received they were, I listed them on Etsy.

As I explored new ways to personalize each dish, my sister Annie joined in to create beautiful watercolor art designs on them. A year later, The Huffington Post named our dishes the #1 Personalized Holiday Gift of the Season, and everything changed. My soon-to-be fiancé (now husband) Josh quit his retail job to help me run the business full-time. Our families jumped in, working alongside us to keep up with demand. Over the years, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to grow our team with talented individuals who have helped shape The Painted Press into what it is today.

A Special Shoutout to Annie

This business wouldn’t be half of what it is without my sister, Annie. I had the privilege of growing up beside her, watching her create art from a young age. She started painting for The Painted Press when she was just sixteen and has since hand-painted hundreds of thousands of dishes, each one completely freehand—no guides, no templates, just an innate ability to create beauty. You can see more of her stunning work at anniefugereart.com.

Why Shopping Small Matters

Running a small business has completely changed the way I see shopping small. Every single purchase supports our incredible team, puts food on our tables, and keeps this dream alive. Even after nearly a decade, I’m still in awe that people choose our work for their special moments.

Life is beautiful—it’s worth slowing down and celebrating. Thank you for celebrating with us.

Meet The Team: