Our Story
Meet Bart, the “Cosmic Cat,” and his whimsical friends: the story of FeLines cards since 1991.
Welcome to a ‘happier’ life!
Meet Bart, the “Cosmic Cat,” and his whimsical friends. Do you love smiling cartoon cats, intriguing quotations and thoughtful greetings? Send one to a friend. They’ll feel better, and so will you!
The FeLines story
John, a publisher from Central Florida, married Susan, a Portland artist. A friend suggested quotations on cards with sketches of cats, so Susan hand-painted a dozen card samples with their cat, Bart, dancing through life. John showed the sample cards to a bookstore owner friend, and a new venture was born!
Students and retired friends helped hand-paint the first 60,000 cards. Thousands more were color-copied, then color-printed, filling orders from stores across the Northwest and beyond. Only recycled paper was used for cards and envelopes, with soy-based inks, and there was even experimentation with tree-free papers.
Quotes were selected if a smile or laugh resulted. Authors and artists, famous and infamous, provided quotations that could be matched with art, and greetings had to “snap” when the card was opened and read. From 1991 to 1999, thousands of stores across the country carried the line, and thousands and thousands of lives were brightened when folks got a FeLines card.
Art & Sol
In addition to the card line, the Art & Sol Gallery was launched, and the Colorful Coos Bay art prints and posters were produced on the Southwest Oregon coast. The gallery later became the Art & Sol card and gift line, featuring work from more than a dozen great artists, photographers and artisans, including Designs by Willow. Nationwide, 1,000 stores carried FeLines and Art & Sol cards and gifts.
Back again
John carefully stored the cards, and now the vintage FeLines and Art & Sol cards are available again. Make a friend smile and think of you!
