Women’s History Month is wrapping up, and even though we celebrate the awesome women in our community year round, we didn’t want the month to pass without taking a moment to thank Catherine, one of Fireball’s fearless leaders.

Catherine has committed her life to making art more accessible. For her, Fireball is not just a business — it’s a way to give artists the tools they need to share their voices and their creations with the world.

An artist herself, Catherine loves photography and design, and she also manages many aspects of our business. She even custom built Fireball’s database and workflow system and takes all the photos for this very blog.

Recently, Catherine got Fireball certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women.

The WBENC Certification process has confirmed that our business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women, and has the appropriate structure and strategic business planning and implementation in place.

By including women-owned businesses among their suppliers, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier diversity programs, which in turn empowers women as leaders and brings about a more diverse, balanced and sustainable economy.

Fireball also holds WOSB certification, which is the federal women-owned small business program.

Thanks, Catherine, for being so rad. Fireball wouldn’t be the same (or exist) without all you do.

Omoi Life Goods is a unique life goods & stationery shop that has been a Philadelphia staple since 2006.

Omoi has selection of items that they like, use, and believe in, with an emphasis on thoughtful design, affordability, and a sense of humor.

We seriously love everything that we’ve ever bought there.

Recently, we got to print their new business cards on Crane’s Lettra Cotton stock and they came out just as incredible as they are.

Check out the images below and check out their shop in person and online.

• Ink: CMYK
• Paper: Crane’s Lettra Cotton 110lb Cover and Natural White 100lb Smooth Cover

Cissy’s Art Cafe is the project of Cecile Lu, a full-time illustrator / artist living
in New York City.

Cecile creates cozy, colorful worlds, inspired by plants, animals, vintage goods,
food, and her cultural heritage.

We love her latest series, and you can buy her Tea Time Art Print directly here and shop the rest of the cafe here. Don’t forget to follow Cecile on Instagram, too.

Posters:

• Ink: CMYK
• Paper: 100lb Smooth Uncoated Cover

Business Cards and Postcards:

• Ink: CMYK
• Paper: 120lb Smooth Uncoated Cover

Cat Schmitz lives in a colorful world, floating among an assortment of clouds, polka dots, dancing birds, and mysterious wiggles.

She designs comfort objects for grown ups — from blankets and pillowcases to art prints to some of the coolest area rugs you will ever find.

2024 is the Cat Schmitz “Year of The Living Room,” so follow her now to bring peace and purpose into your home.

We printed these envelopes and postcards and immediately needed to know more.

Check out her whole world at her site and on Instagram.

Custom Envelopes:

• Ink: CMYK
• Paper: 70lb Uncoated Text

Postcards:

• Ink: CMYK
• Paper: 120lb Uncoated Text

Zuperhero Comics, a small press publishing house in New York run by Mahdi Khene, brings to life a whole new universe of creatures, characters, and creations. For years, we’ve been lucky enough to print their awesome stories, and we are always stoked when another issue comes in. 

This latest project, “Lost At Land,” features Dr. Earl Haring, a deep sea scientist who is pushed to his limits. What happens next? You really need to get a copy and find out!

Find Zuperhero Comics on Instagram, Facebook, and buy stuff on their site.

• Ink: CMYK
• Paper: Insides and Cover on 70lb Smooth Text
• Binding: Saddle-Stitch

Bobby Anspach was an American artist whose work centered around the creation of machines designed to deliver transcendent experiences to viewers. Bobby was a sculptor, a magician, and a brilliant scientist.

We had the absolute honor of printing the catalogue (designed by Susan Bowman) for his memorial exhibition, “Place for Continuous Eye Contact,” which includes essays, photographs, quotes, and memories around Bobby and his work.

You can learn more on Instagram and at bobbyanspach.com. You can also view the full catalogue here.

• Ink: CMYK
• Paper: Insides on 100lb Gloss Text; Cover on 16pt C2S
• Binding: Perfect

It’s cold. If you’re like us and you are crawling out of your skin, it may help to get up, get out, and hang out and brave the icy temperatures to explore some of the chill (get it) things going on in Philly in these deep dark months.

Here’s just a few of the cool things we’re checking out from January – March this year.

Know something else going on that we should add? Message Helen at helen@fireballprinting.com to have it added to the list!

• January | Check out the classes at The Arts League

• 1/20 | Passages ~ Ambient Channels and Crossing

• 2/9 | A TRANSCENDENTAL VISION OF LOVE

• January | “The Artists of Northwest Philly” Exhibit

• 1/27 | Queernoir II at Vox Populi

• 3/2 – 10 | Philadelphia Flower Show

• 1/17 | cultureworks New Year Open House

• 2/9 |  ICA 2024 Opening Celebration

Holy cow! It’s 2024! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!   (•_•)
I mean… all the good stuff is over until it starts getting warm again unless you’re really into expensive dates or drinking green beer (but by then it’s basically spring anyway).

Yes, here we are friends… in the bleak, frigid, soul crushing expanse that is WINTER.
At least the days aren’t getting shorter anymore. I guess I should make the best of it and just put on my sweater, and my coat and maybe a scarf, maybe a hat too (you lose a lot of heat through your head you know), a few pairs of socks, idk how many layers I can fit under this parka, I just know I need to BUNDLE UP!

In the spirit of the season we are offering you the chance to BUNDLE UP as well… with printing! (see what we did there?). Get big discounts by combining at least 3 products here.

Take advantage of our hemisphere’s icy downtime by getting some projects done! These deals end on leap day so get crack’n!

Stay warm friends!

We had over 100 submissions for our guide and we are so excited to share them all with you. Grab a seat (if you aren’t in one already) and scroll through some of the coolest gift ideas we’ve ever seen. Even if you are done your holiday shopping, save these for the whole year — shopping small is NOT seasonal.

Prints + Zines + Books + Cards

Fern In The Forest/Gina Levantini | Stationery, art prints, and functional goods (tea towels, tote bags)| @fern.in.the.forest

Rockets Are Red | Posters, Prints, Zines

Papercut Shop | Prints + Zines | @paper.cut.s

Dave Dick Illustrations | Prints, Stickers and More | @Dave_Dick_ (IG) @DaveDickIllustrations (FB)

John Kitses | “Last Days at the Iron Triangle” risograph book | @johnkitses

Aja Beech | Poem Posters and Handmade Cards | @ajabeech (IG/FB)

Joseph Zhou | Dark Fantasy Art | @josephzhouart (IG/FB)

Steph Pogas | Greeting cards, art prints, stickers, notebooks, tea towels, and tote bags | @spogas.art

Land & She | Art, prints and goods inspired by nature.

Jacina Bunnell | Books + Art

Gray Rabbit Comics | Art prints, cards, stickers! | @grayrabbitart (IG) @GrayRabbitArt (FB)

Marilyn MacGregor | Cards and fine art prints (Philly favorites) | @macgregorartdesigns

Caro Arévalo | Art prints, moon calendars, postcards and original paintings | @caro.arevalo (IG) /cafeinacoli (YT)

Second At Best | Original comics, art and risograph prints, as well as screen printed and embroidered apparel | @second.at.best

Ayun Halliday | zines, zine subscriptions and small press books | @ayun_halliday (IG) Ayun Halliday (FB)

Ghost Agents/Rocko Jerome | GHOST Agents, a comic book featuring art from around the planet

Craft or DIY | zines, pins, stickers & prints | @craftordiy.art

Ethan Carroll | Illustrated prints, stickers, magnets, and apparel

Super Hero Comics/Mahdi Khene | comics

Jill McFarland | art prints | @sugar_fly_butter_baby

Tursulowe Press | books!

Sarah Kaizar | books! | @sarahkaizar

SAADA Spotlight | South Asian American stories! | @saadaspotlight

Kate Otte | Coloring books, prints, and stickers | @kateohhtay

Mood Mail Co. | Greeting Cards | @moodmailco

Wonder Awe | Art prints, handbound books, art books | @wonder.awe

Yamz World | I turn my artwork into products. Mostly based on my identities as a queer person and an immigrant | @yamz.world

Elise Stoudt | Art, stickers, hats, ornaments | @elise_stoudt_studio

Meg Lemieur | paper, shirts, mugs, towels, coasters, stickers, blankets, a calendar, comics, and as framed art; whimsical drawings of animals, natural environments, a map of the Delaware River Watershed, and urban landscapes

Good Night Pine | illustrated goods inspired by the magic of the outdoors—enamel pins, stickers, art prints and postcards!

Fernanda | Prints of my watercolors

Bambi Hyde Art Studio | Prints, stickers, notebooks | @bambihydeart

Cat Willett | Illustrated postcards, prints, and stained glass objects and ornaments | @catxwillett

Scott Cole | Books (Horror & Bizarro Fiction)

Galaxy Brain Designs | Prints, stickers, and mixed media art | @galaxybraindesign

DRACULAD/Michael Arthur Georgeson | Posters, zines, postcards, buttons | @draculadco

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Stickers + More

Lexi Seidel | Stickers, totes, shirts, + more! | @lexiseideldesigns

Celine Loup | Pins, Comics and Stickers | @celineorelse

Lisa Kelley | prints, stickers, art blocks, ornaments | @lisakelleyart

Katie Stack | Stickers and Cards

El Toro | Stickers, paintings, prints

Snailboat Studios | illustrated stickers, art prints, and accessories | @snailboatstudio

Kid Nichols | Stickers, enamel pins, art prints, washi tape, etc! | @kidnichols

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Paintings

Faina Lorah | Paintings, Art Prints, + Books

Briana Sutton | Art | @brianasuttonart

Ozone Artwork | We’re an online and in person art gallery selling artwork | @ozone_artgallery

YOUNGDANIELCANT/Dan Eels | Paintings, collages, drawings and I do some freelance design/illustration on the side | @YOUNGDANIELCANT (IG)

Flukelady | Year Round Spooky Artwork

Kristen Margiotta | Art prints, original oil paintings and more | @kristen_margiotta

Patsy Shaw | Original paintings, block prints, art prints, tote bag, calendars, ornaments, greeting cards, stickers, notepads, bookmarks | @shawmuchart

Ferrets and Friends Sanctuary | Merch & paintings, mostly pet themed

Hidden Bird Studios | Wildlife prints of original watercolor paintings | @hidden.bird.studio

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Jewelry

Pixel and Papier | Jewelry, Accessories, + Craft Kits | @pixelandpapier

Angela Monaco Jewelry | Jewelry and Gifts

Julie Pierre | Handmade Paper Jewelry | @papershaper

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Embroidery Kits

Sip and Stitch | Embroidery Kits + Workshop Tix

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Housewares

Hannah Via Art | Tufted Art, Prints + Bathmats! | @hannah.Via.art

Stacie Dale | wall art and home decor

Vivid Cottage/Kerstin Rao | Stationery + Fine Home Goods featuring my hand-illustrated artwork | @vividcottage

Goth Prima/Illkya Acosta | romantic meets grunge wall art, prints, & more!

Off the Posts | Philly Sports Prayer Candles!

Fuugs Woodworking | Wooden wares – rolling pins, candle sticks, bowls and furniture | @fuugswoodworking

Sean Martorana | Hand-drawn Illustrated Woven Blankets | @seanmartorana

Valeriya Volkova | Art, prints, and pottery

Studio Anyware | Home wares, furniture, art and other homely things!

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Clothing

Noni Philly | Vintage Plus Size Clothing, Housewares, + More | @noni.philly

Golden Key Prints | Shirts, Totes, Prints, Greeting Cards, & Stickers with nihilist and absurdist inspired phrases

GeekBoy Press | Hand printed nerdy t-shirts, digital artwork and enamel pin designs! | @geekboypress

Anchovy Studio | Anchovy Studio is an independent apparel and design studio inspired by the stories held in Korean folk arts and diaspora. | @anchovy.studio

Emma Cestare | Prints, zines, shirts, stickers, pins, stationery, and keychains. | @coffeevamp

Rabbit Rabbit | Apparel, accessories + PRINTS! | @shoprabbitrabbit

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Edible Things

Brimstone Apothecary | Small Batch Gummies

Earthside Provisions | Restorative Bone Broths, Soups & Stews and Organic Herbal Tea Blends

Soom Foods | Tahini, sweet chocolate tahini, and snack bites made from real, simple ingredients like dates, tahini, and oats!

Plant Basting Shop | Plant Basting herb infused sunflower cooking oils | @plantbasting

Mother Butter | Mother Butter! | @motherbuttercompany

Sundry Mornings | Cocktail mixes, hot sauce and spices made with locally sourced ingredients | @sundrymornings

Super Rad Everything Else

Michi | Comics, Patches, Keychains, and more! | @michiums

Joy Freude | Stickers, Scarves, and more! | @joyfreudeart

bluegreen | Scarves and Jewelry | @bluegreen_accessories

Lefthanded Press/Mike Gamble | Woodcuts, relief relief prints, etchings and digital reproductions made by fireball! | @mikgm

Zembo Temple of Skate and Design | Skateboards, rollerskates, fingerboards, art supplies, apparel and more!

Stitch Prism | Risograph prints, ceramic jewelry, stickers

Mural Arts Philadelphia | Mural Arts Philadelphia Merchandise

Barbaric Yawp Workshop | beautiful, original, handcrafted masks inspired by folklore and mythology | @barbaricyawpworkshop

Satanic Puppetteer | Vinyl Records of our weird band’s music

John Kitses | Last Days at the Iron Triangle, a risograph book of urban landscape watercolors | @johnkitses

Vanessa Hoy | Customizable notebooks | @palettenotebooks

em16 | tattoo gift certificates | @em16

Did we make a mistake? Email Helen and she’ll fix it!

From the King WEIRDO himself:

The friends who help me with this are amazing. The people who run their shows and event zones are all some of the coolest, most professional people I’ve ever met. The businesses and spaces we involve are so supportive sometimes it feels unreal. 

The excitement and enthusiasm becomes the air around you. I overhear multiple conversations about why people love Philadelphia as I cut from show to show checking that everyone has what they need to share their art with our neighbors. 

A man balances a sword on the tip of a knife. A circus dances on a familiar street. Strange creatures swim through a dark room. A vampire the size of a building chews rude people out. Tones and light hang in the air, music, the sounds of children. 

I love you weirdos. Thank you.
See you next time.

Check out our (ever growing) photo gallery. Have some of your own and want to share? Email them to us, please.