Handmade Holiday Shop: Porcupine Hugs

Hi! I’m Dorkys Ramos, a New York City-based writer who decided to pursue her little dream of designing stationery with the creation of Porcupine Hugs. After a childhood of drawing cartoony faces and flowers all along the margins of my school notebooks, I started making cards, paper gifts, even hand-drawn wrapping paper to celebrate my family and friends. Now I’m pouring that same love for all things fun and whimsical into my hand-illustrated designs.

All illustrations are created the old-school way with a sketchbook, pencil, and a box of watercolors to bring my ideas to life. It can get a little bit messy, but there’s nothing like getting your hands dirty and covering a blank sheet with explosions of color.

My collection caters to every day hellos, milestone celebrations, and all the friendly greetings in between. Now that the holidays are finally here I’m having a blast with our seasons greetings, pretty gift sets for stationery lovers, patterned gift tags, and our 2014 calendar with vibrantly painted illustrations for each month. And because I’m Dominican, I’ve also designed a line of Spanish cards for happy snail mail to send to your Spanish-speaking friends.

Now not only will this batch of goodies make you smile, but they’re friendly towards Mother Nature, too. Porcupine Hugs is committed to helping our environment so products are printed on post-consumer waste paper using wind power, cards are coordinated with recycled envelopes, and they come packaged in biodegradable plastic sleeves made from plants that are fully compostable.

“But who would want hugs from a porcupine?” you might ask. “That sounds painful!” The company’s name comes from my own feisty personality, sarcastic bite, and propensity for cuteness. Besides, porcupines need love, too, no? (Proof!)

This past year – the first as a full-fledged biz – has been full of so much learning and feeling over the moon that I’ve taken this leap. I look forward to developing more products and joyful goodies that continue to put a smile on our faces, continue the handmade/handwritten tradition, and help you handle your affections with care.

Set of 10 holiday gift tags

Illustrated 2014 Calendar

Gift enclosures

Sets of 8 Holiday Cards (l-r): Fragile Tree, Melting Snowman, Peace on Earth, Boy Snowman, Hollies, Happy New Year

Thank You Cards

Love & Friendship cards (top-bottom): Air Mail Card, Little Town Card, I Wub Ju Card

Oh Baby Cards

Now through December 20, save 20% off the entire shop with code OMHG20 and stock up on this sweet collection of Porcupine Hugs boxed sets, every day greetings, and whimsical paper goods.