About Upper Room Prints

Bringing Cozy to the Chaos

Hi, I'm Linnie. I'm the artist, maker, and chaos-wrangler behind Upper Room Prints.

I'm autistic, chronically ill, and deeply in love with creating things that feel good to hold, look at, and use. Upper Room Prints was born from a simple idea: stationery and art should be more than just functional. They should be comforting, sensory-friendly, and made with actual care. Not churned out by machines in a warehouse somewhere while a corporation counts its money.

About 95% of what you see here is handmade by me in my Maryland studio. Stickers, notebooks, prints, crocheted buddies, and embroidered pieces. I work slowly and intentionally, designing with neurodivergent needs in mind because I understand them firsthand. Soft-touch papers that feel gentle under your fingers. Curved edges that don't poke or scratch. Colors that soothe instead of overwhelm. Watersafe stickers that can handle real life (because let's be honest, stuff gets wet).

The remaining 5% are items I can't physically make myself but still want to offer, so I work with ethically sourced providers who share my values. Every product, whether made in-house or manufactured, is designed by me and held to the same standards.

This is cottagecore meets accessibility. Cozy, thoughtful, and unapologetically small-batch.

Why I Make What I Make

Living with chronic illness and autism means I experience the world differently. Textures matter. Colors matter. The weight of paper in your hand matters. The rhythm of embroidery stitches matters. I got tired of mass-produced stationery that ignored these details, so I started making my own. Revolutionary, I know.

What began as personal need became Upper Room Prints: a collection of handmade goods designed for people who want their stuff to feel as good as it looks. Whether you're neurodivergent yourself, supporting someone who is, or you just appreciate the care that goes into small-batch craft, you're exactly who I'm making this for.

My characters (Mr. Grumps the perpetually unimpressed orange cat, Wonton the autistic panda, Lily the quiet black cat, and the rest of the crew) aren't just cute. They're representations of different moods, needs, and ways of being in the world. They show up on products that are meant to be used, loved, and lived with. Mr. Grumps judges you from your planner. Wonton gets it. Lily observes quietly from the corner.

How I Work

I'm a one-person operation working within the limits of a disabled body. That means I work about 5 hours a day, take breaks when I need them, and prioritize quality over speed. I don't do rush orders or massive production runs. Everything is made in small batches, and some items are made-to-order.

This isn't a side hustle or a hobby that got out of hand. This is my livelihood, and I take it seriously. But I also know my limits. If I'm having a rough health week, orders might take a little longer. I'm always honest about turnaround times, and I build in buffer room so I can deliver what I promise. Wild concept, I know.

I'm also currently on a self-imposed ban from discovering new hobbies because I love being creative a little too much. Drawing, printing, crocheting, embroidery, sublimation... if it involves making something with my hands, I'm probably into it. My workspace is a testament to this problem. So for now, I'm sticking with what I've got before I accidentally start learning woodworking or pottery and lose what's left of my storage space.

I also prioritize working with other small businesses whenever possible. From my embroidery floss supplier to the packaging materials I use, I try to support people and companies that share my values: accessibility, sustainability, and treating people with dignity. Apparently that's too much to ask from some corporations, so here we are.

What Makes Upper Room Prints Different

Autism-Friendly Design: Sensory considerations aren't an afterthought. They're built into every product from the start. Soft papers, rounded corners, thoughtful color palettes, and textures that feel good. Because sharp edges and scratchy paper are nobody's friend.

Mostly Handmade: I print, cut, assemble, crochet, stitch, and package the vast majority of products myself. For the small percentage I can't make in-house, I work with ethically sourced manufacturers. No exploitative labor. Just honest work and a lot of care. And probably too much cat hair, if we're being honest.

Small-Batch Production: I keep minimal inventory and restock based on what's actually selling. This reduces waste and means you're getting something made recently, not something that's been sitting in a warehouse for months collecting dust and existential dread.

Disability-Owned: This business exists because I needed it to. I design from lived experience, and that shows up in every detail. Turns out when disabled people design things, they actually work for disabled people. Shocking.

Community-Focused: A portion of my sales comes from in-person markets and art shows, where I get to meet customers face-to-face. I love those connections, and they remind me why I do this work. Plus, people are way nicer in person than they are in Amazon reviews.

A Note About Pricing

My prices reflect the time, skill, and materials that go into handmade goods. I pay myself fairly for my labor, source quality materials, and build in the accommodations I need to work sustainably. If you're used to mass-market pricing, my products might seem expensive. But you're not just buying a sticker or a notebook. You're supporting a disabled artist, getting something made with care, and investing in the kind of world where small, ethical businesses can exist.

Also, I can't compete with Amazon's prices because I'm not exploiting warehouse workers or avoiding taxes. Just saying.

Thank You

If you're here, reading this, considering a purchase, thank you. Whether you're neurodivergent, chronically ill, or just someone who values authenticity and craft, I'm glad you found Upper Room Prints.

Every order matters. Every customer matters. And I don't take your support for granted.

Welcome to the Upper Room. Let's bring some cozy to the chaos together.

(And if you made it this far, you deserve a gold star. Or at least a sticker. Lucky for you, I make those.)

Linnie