K8Ki Design Studio

07/16/2026

Big things are happening in downtown Elkader!

While I help Old Crow Mercantile transition into their online era, Turkey River Arts and Music (TRAM) is making that same space its new home. And I also get to help them with their branding and marketing as they begin their journey.

Elkader’s creative scene just keeps growing. And I’m so proud I get to be part of so many stories.

07/01/2026

Sneak peek at the new photos + brand refresh for Pedretti's Bakery! 🤎

We wanted these images to feel warm, moody, and a little vintage to reflect a bakery that’s been around since 1968. Jillian Webb Art absolutely nailed the vibe, and I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out. 📸

Heads up! We will be closed on Saturday, July 4th and all next week (through the 11th)

Happy 4th from Pedretti's Bakery! ❤️🤍💙

(We are open this week through Friday!)

06/25/2026

I’ve loved watching Old Crow Mercantile become a destination that has brought so many people to our small town of Elkader, so it’s bittersweet to see this storefront close its doors. What you might not know is they’re not closing for good—they’re simply starting a new chapter online. 🛍️➡️💻📱

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of helping Monica prepare for this big transition, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what’s coming. Instead of being limited to a small-town storefront, Old Crow will be able to welcome customers from across the country.

Behind the scenes, I’ve been optimizing a Shopify e-commerce website that’s easy to shop and easy to discover, while also building a strategic Pinterest presence to help Old Crow continue growing for years to come.

While my focus has been on the brand, Shopify, the website, and Pinterest, Ashley D Marketing has been helping Monica with social media posts and online ads to spread the word. It’s been so much fun collaborating on this project and helping bring this next chapter to life.

If you’ve been meaning to stop by, June 27th is your last chance to shop the storefront before Old Crow moves 💯 online. Stop in, grab some amazing deals, and help send Monica into this exciting new chapter.

Keep following along at Old Crow Mercantile and shop at oldcrowmerc.com. 🖤

06/12/2026

A grant proposal is still a pitch. And a pitch lives or dies on first impressions.

When I put together the slides for Pedretti's Bakery's AMEX Shop Small Grant application, the design wasn't decoration. It was the argument. Clean hierarchy, intentional color, a moodboard that showed exactly where this brand is headed. The whole deck said "we are serious, we are ready, and we know who we are" before the reviewer read a single bullet point.

That's what good branding even at proposal level does. It sets the stage. It does the heavy lifting so your words don't have to work so hard.

And thats what I want for all my clients.

Congrats to Christopher and Jamie. So glad to be part of this one.

05/20/2026

We have been keeping a secret and now the big news is out!

Pedretti's Bakery just landed an American Express Shop Small Grant, and I got to be part of the journey that got them there.

I helped them prepare and apply for this grant, and they got accepted! Now we get to do the fun part.

A full brand refresh. New website. Social media posts designed and planned for a whole year. And so many other marketing touchpoints.

Small towns are full of businesses worth rooting for. So excited to work with such an iconic one. 🎉

Stay tuned to see the designs!

🎉 Big news! 🎉

In partnership with American Express®, we are thrilled to announce more than 500 recipients of the Amex Shop Small® Grants Program, awarding over $10 million in funding to small businesses across the country. Each recipient has received a $20,000 grant to help them grow, innovate, and support their local communities.

Meet the grant recipients here: https://mainstreet.org/the-latest/news/more-than-500-small-business-owners-awarded-20-000-amex-shop-small-grants

04/12/2026

Out of office and officially in vacation mode. I’m spending the next week with my family in Florida. I will be back on April 20 and ready to dive back into some fun projects I have been working on. See you then! ✌️😎

04/10/2026

I was invited by my friend, Carlyn Lechtenberg to join as a professional artist at the Upper Iowa Conference Art Show yesterday, and honestly, it was one of those days that reminded me why I love the work I do.

Students and teachers from twelve schools, college professors, artists, designers, marketers and creative careers from every direction. Elkader and Central school has a gem of an art teacher, Carlyn Lechtenberg. She put together an exceptional art show and event. I’m so grateful I got to be a small part of it. The theme was The Art of Espionage, which meant everyone wore all black. Zeb and I joined in on the fun by wearing matching black outfits repping Central.

Walking into a room full of kids figuring out what "creative" could look like as a career? That part gets me every time. I was that kid once, trying to find my way into a creative field that actually fits me.

Events like this matter more than people realize. The future gets shaped in moments like these. A conversation, a connection, a kid who walks away thinking maybe I could do something like that too.

Lucky to call this community home and send my kids to Central Community School who invests in events like this.

01/08/2026

Would you say yes to a FREE marketing refresh?*

I’m looking to partner with a brick-and-mortar small business to apply for the Amex Shop Small Grants Program to deliver a marketing refresh that is fully funded by the $20,000 grant.

I’ll help you:
• Shape a ready-to-execute marketing project with branding, fully functional website and marketing campaigns
• Build a clear, grant-aligned budget
• Execute the work within the 6-month grant period
• Create assets that support real business + community impact

💡 This is ideal if you’ve been saying:
“Someday we’ll update our branding or website or run marketing campaigns when we have the budget…”
This grant makes someday NOW & FULLY PAID FOR.

👉 Who should reach out:
Brick-and-mortar small businesses that want to grow, modernize, and better serve their local community.

📩 Comment or DM me and I’ll share details + next steps.

*Free to the business if awarded the $20,000 grant.

🚨 HURRY deadline is coming soon!

12/08/2025

Vote for the window display I did for The Brim Coffeehouse - Elkader! Thanks in advance! 🎄🎁

🎄✨ Vote for Your Favorite Vintage Christmas Window! ✨🎄
Our local businesses have gone all out to bring the magic of a Vintage Christmas to life in their holiday window displays! Now it’s your turn to help choose the winner.
🖼 Theme: Vintage Christmas
📅 Voting Ends: 12.22.25
🏆 Winner Announced: 12.23.25
📸 How to Vote: Follow this link to the voting form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18vhAus1Iv8fwtQyuWwo350ZKzPQvAGshP61wvJpG_wE/edit
OR scan the QR code in the below graphic

Stroll through town and enjoy the beautiful displays.

Let’s celebrate creativity and holiday spirit together—your vote makes a difference!
👉 Tag your friends and spread the word!

12/06/2025

Tia Dundee Photography is doing Mini Sessions and it’s a steal!! ❤️ Just got ours booked!!

If you're looking for ideas for Christmas - how about gifting a photography session? Mini sessions (30 minutes) starting at $150! Please feel free to contact me for more information 🥰

(And if you're like me and struggle with web design/branding, reach out to K8Ki Design Studio who has been helping me with mine!)