Michele Chandler revives her “artsy” self with line of handmade note cards

Menlo Park resident Michele Chandler describes herself as “always artsy.” But somewhere along the way between grad school and raising two children, the art part of herself got pushed to the side.

Then one day not  long ago, she was watching her son play water polo at Menlo-Atherton High School when a fellow parent noticed the lovely, handmade note card Michele was holding in advance of giving it to the coach.

“She really liked the card, and, learning that I’d made it, suggested I take some samples out to Ladera Garden and Gift to show to [owner] Mercedes,” Michele recalled. “That meeting went well, and I now supply them with 20 to 30 cards a week.”

Michele’s cards, which she will be selling at the Peninsula School Craft Fair this Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, are made in a distinct manner. She paints on a large piece of paper and then rips the paper into parts. “That means no two cards are alike,” she said. “Each person receives a unique card.”

Michele, who is also an ardent supporter of endangered wildlife, is building her brand around the name Wild Lives Matter. She is working on a website to sell her note cards but doesn’t want to stop there.

“The next step for me beyond unique note cards is to produce larger works of art, including paintings, murals, textiles and more,” she said, adding with a smile, “I want my brand to be big!”

Photos by Irene Searles