“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
– John Muir
​ABOUT
SIBYIL and BAKIS is a woman owned business that creates thoughtfully artful greeting cards and paper goods that represent a line of one-of-a-kind, handmade, small batch and limited editions. Currently featuring two collections:
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BOTANICALS features the many shades of rich and vibrant Bougainvillea, from magenta to white and every shade in between in an array of designs. Botanic specimen like bloom, seed, bark and leaves are also showcased in artful arrangement and identified with scientific and common names hand-written on the back of each card. No two cards are the same. They may have same design, but like us, each piece of natural material is unique and one of a kind.
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BITS features gem like bits of the special occassion paper, ribbon and glitter as well as a wide array of upcycled materials to produce an almost glass like, cloisonné effect.
All cards are one-of-a-kind, 5”x7” and suitable for framing. Each card is accompanied by matching envelope and insert explaining the unique art card. The foundation of our cards is paper that is harvested responsibly and is FSC certified.
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ARTIST BIO
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SIBYLS and BAKIS was born out of a love of art, the natural world
and as a path to heal.
Hello, I’m Sybil and I am the artist behind SIBYLS and BAKIS.
My brand of small batch greeting cards and paper goods was born
in 2017 when I was given “mandatory down time” in the form of
breast cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Bright spot: I finally had the opportunity to consume the many
shelves of books that I’ve collected over the years. I was afforded
time to peruse a large format coffee table book on the works of
Michaelangelo. Like many, I find his expression of form and color
so inspiring.
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WHAT'S IN THE NAME?
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Over 500 years ago, Michaelangelo painted twelve prophetic
figures all representing the coming of Christ for the center
of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Seven are Israeli
prophets and the remaining five are female Sibyls of
the classical world. Libyan Sibyl I most adore, a desert
dweller displaying physical strength and agility. ​
Further reading about them introduced me to 'Bakis,'
described as the men who helped the female prophets.
The thought of "men who helped them" struck me and I
began to reflect on all the men who've helped me in my life.
My father, sharing with me his love of the outdoors. My
grandfather, sharing his wisdom and love of the written
word. My stepfather, sharing with me an honest and
respectable work ethic. My husband, my true knight-in-
shining-armor and biggest fan. My dearest neighbor, a Doctor,
who happened to be the one that got me into a surgeon the
very next day after the seemingly devastating biopsy result.
My bosses, turned-friends who shared their endless wisdom,
knowledge and understanding of the vast and beautiful
life in the desert. There are countless more so by using
SIBYLS as a play on my own name, Sybil, and BAKIS as a
grateful nod to all the men who have helped to form me,
seemed an ideal moniker.
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Spending over 20 years at a non-profit focused on plants and animals, I gained a deep appreciation for the smallest details in nature. Years of working in graphic design and the last five entrenched in the botanical world, I found myself wanting to shine a spotlight on the incredible form, color and textures that exist, acknowledging both the beauty and fragility of all nature on earth - including our own human existence.
Natural materials are hand gathered after they have already fallen and have not yet blown away by the wind or gardener, to celebrate nature on paper. This along with your handwritten sentiment could not be a better gift to mark those cherished moments in life.
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Contact Me
info@SIBYLSandBAKIS