At Caribou Gifts, we believe the best gifts reflect the reality of our lives—the messy parts, the caffeinated parts, and the parts that make us laugh until we cry. This week, we are shining a light on a beloved staple in our shop: Carolyn Draws.
The Art of Keeping it Real
Carolyn Draws was established in 2010 by its founder, Carolyn, who transitioned from a career as an art director in advertising to start her own line of cards and gifts. Her motivation was simple: she couldn't find cards that matched her quirky sense of humour or quirky tastes. After training at OCADU, she decided to create her own.
What began with hand-producing cards individually on a letterpress has grown into a modern production house right here in Toronto. Today, every product is developed in Carolyn’s Toronto studio, featuring her distinctive hand-lettering and original illustrations.
Why We Love Carolyn Draws
Carolyn’s work resonates because it finds the humour in everyday life. Whether she’s tackling the realities of parenting, our collective obsession with coffee, or just the "snarky" side of adulting, her designs offer a refreshing and relatable perspective. Her work has even caught the attention of major publications like Buzzfeed, Chatelaine, and Business Weekly.
A Perfect Alignment of Values
When we select partners for Caribou Gifts, we look for brands that align with our core mission of supporting local, women-owned, and ethical businesses. Carolyn Draws is a natural fit for several reasons:
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Women-Owned and Operated: As a Women-Owned Business ourselves, we prioritize supporting other female founders like Carolyn.
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Toronto-Based: Supporting local makers from our own community is at the heart of what we do at our Junction and Mount Pleasant locations.
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Ethical Production: All products are developed in her local studio and produced in partnership with a local printer.
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Meaningful Connections: Carolyn’s focus on celebrating "real-life occasions" with laughter aligns perfectly with our goal of celebrating life's moments through thoughtful finds.
Explore the Collection
From hilariously honest greeting cards to snarky pins and unique gift items, the Carolyn Draws collection is designed to bring a smile to anyone's face.
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Greeting Cards: Features unique hand-lettering and relatable, humorous sentiments for real-life moments.
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Snarky Pins: Perfect for adding a bit of personality and humour to any outfit or bag.
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Gifts & More: A variety of items that bring a realistic and funny perspective to everyday life.
Whether you're shopping for a Mother's Day card that actually says what you're thinking or a small gift for a coffee-loving friend, you can find the perfect Carolyn Draws piece at Caribou Gifts.
Visit us in-store or browse our full collection online to discover why Carolyn Draws is one of our favourite ways to keep it local and keep it real.
