When you look at a handmade piece by Whitney Cecil and her husband, Jacob, you can see the effort and thought behind every stitch. Almanac Industries creates quality paper, leather, and cloth products with pops of unexpected color for everyday use. From notebooks to wallets, there is something for everybody on their well-stocked Etsy shop. We caught up with half of the Almanac Industries duo to talk trends, inspiration, and guilty pleasures.
How would you describe your shop in one sentence?
Whitney Cecil: We are a husband-and-wife team that creates handcrafted goods in paper, leather, and cloth.
If you could have any super power what would it be?
WC: Shopping time.
Who is your style inspiration?
WC: Jenna Lyons (creative director and president for J.Crew).
What is your favorite item that you’re currently selling?
WC: Catchall tray.
What is the most embarrassing fashion trend that you used to love?
WC: Turtleneck bodysuits- laughing at my middle school self.
What is your guilty pleasure?
WC: Atwater’s drive-thru.
How did you get the name for your shop?
WC: We wanted a word that started with an A, that had an old-world feel but could be ever-changing and multipurpose and it fit the bill.
What is your favorite saying?
WC: “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” -Marcel Proust
No outfit is complete without…
WC: Winter: a big ol’ scarf; summer: Birkenstocks.
What is your current favorite trend? Least favorite trend?
WC: Favorite trend is American-made products and least favorite is mullets.
Our top three picks:
(Left to right: Navy Floral leather clutch, $125; Letterpress print, $20; Leather card case, $40)