hi there.
I am a scattered-brained, 35 yr old mom and wife with a semi-unhealthy addiction to paper and compulsive need to create. I graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in graphic design, concentration in photography, and passion for printmaking. House of Hazelnut has evolved into a Paperie, Design Studio and Creative Consultation Firm to allow me to expand my creative wanderings. With the help of my dedicated husband and partner, we hope to share our passion for paper with you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.
Design is knowing which ones to keep.”
-Scott Adams
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

how it all began.
House of Hazelnut started out when some folks in our family along with a few friends started getting married and having babies in 2006. I was a few years out of college, working at a small print shop, feeling creatively unsatisfied. The need for invitations and announcements came up and though it was a little out of my field {logo/branding/identity design} I thought it would be fun…and I was the one with the printer hook-up. Turns out, even though I worked with a lot of bands and grungy-dark graphics, I was pretty good at the frilly-light stuff and soon started picking up more and more wedding work.

Skip ahead about a year and my now-hubby and I, bought a house, got engaged and began building a studio in the attic of our home. Though he’s a musician at heart, he’d surprisingly learned quickly how to assemble my intricate creations. I had just learned of Etsy and we decided to give it a try and go into business
for ourselves.

what’s in a name?
We acquired some equipment, established some paper and embellishment vendors and I had grown a fairly large library of invitation samples. Now a name was needed. Well around this time, Kyle and I were approaching our wedding day and I had decided that I wanted to keep my last name. It’s long, no one can say it, but it’s very unique. It was a name made up by my great-great grandfather to hide their Russian heritage when they fled to Hungary during their civil war.

mogyorosi
Thought to have meant ‘House of Hungarians’ (ancient Magyar)
Actual translation: ‘hazelnut house’
Upon learning of this fun family fact, I decided this was the name and House of Hazelnut was officially
in business.

process schmocess.
I can’t say that I don’t have any process, but inspiration and ideas come from all over. A smell, a memory, a taste…or simply a request. Most custom jobs start out with a string of emails and inspiration boards being shared, whereas ideas for products or new designs come from my life and surroundings.