Partner Spotlight is a series designed to highlight the vendors that partner with ABA to offer discounted products, services, and business opportunities to ABA members.
Designs with Jamie is an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) woman-owned stationery and gift company that specializes in hand-drawn designs that spark joy and create genuine connections.
Bookselling This Week met with Jamie Wong Baesa, the owner of Designs with Jamie, to learn more.
Bookselling This Week: What led you to create Designs with Jamie?
Jamie Wong Baesa: I began my teaching career in the 2019-2020 school year, quickly finding myself stuck at home for quarantine virtual classes. With so much time alone, I picked up my old hobby of drawing. I found that my artwork was a beautiful way to stay connected with the world and inject some positivity and value into people's lives when everyone felt so isolated. I quickly found that there was a need and want for bright, encouraging stationery, which is why I decided to create Designs with Jamie. Even post-pandemic, my mission stays largely the same: hand drawing stationery and gifts to spark joy and connection.
BTW: What’s the inspiration for some of your designs? Were they always book-focused?
JWB: I love to draw on my Asian heritage in many of my designs, which are often well suited for silly puns. I am an American-born Chinese second generation immigrant, and I am so thankful for my beautiful cultural heritage and the opportunity to share it with others. I began focusing on book-themed merchandise in 2023, after I got back into reading as an adult during the pandemic. Not only do I love books, but I truly adore the bookish community and how supportive everyone is about creating safe spaces and uplifting each other. Many of my book designs are also pun-based, but I also try to capture the bright, whimsy feelings I get when I read!
BTW: What do you think sets you and your products apart from some of your competitors?
JWB: I love using bright colors and puns to spark joy! Most of my designs also utilize a very specific chalk brush that I love for the hand-drawn feeling. In this day and age of AI, it is very important to me that people know everything I make is strictly original, with no generative AI usage at all. I do also love to make Asian-themed designs and believe my cultural heritage brings a unique flair to my work.
BTW: What led you to partner with ABA and our members?
JWB: I first got connected with my region (MPIBA), and had the absolute best time getting to know the booksellers at Springcon! I literally couldn't stop smiling and laughing for two days straight — bookish people are the BEST people! As my commitment to being a resource for booksellers has increased, I knew the obvious next step was to try to reach booksellers nation-wide. I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of ABA and hope I get to meet many members in person at Winter Institute!
BTW: Would you tell us a little about the role of books or indie bookstores in your life?
JWB: Like many, I was a voracious childhood reader that took a long pause in reading until the pandemic. As an adult, I was immediately sucked back in and couldn't believe I ever stopped reading! Books are my safe, happy, and quiet place — they have been a platform on which I've been able to create so many core memories with friends over. The connections I've made through books are countless and so meaningful, and I'm so grateful to be able to incorporate them in my work and art.
BTW: Is there anything else you want our members to know? Any products or upcoming releases you’d like to tease?
JWB: Bookish ornaments are flying off the shelves right now, and it's not too late to stock up! Spring 2027 is going to be all about our furry friends — think about your favorite animal reading a book and that's what I'm going for! Tons of whimsy, tons of puns, and so much cuteness.
ABA members can receive 10% discount off orders of $150 or more.