MEET DENA

Hi, I'm Dena and I draw this shit. 

Ever since I was little, all I wanted to do was draw. In the late '80s, at the age of 8, I was told that to be a successful illustrator, I'd need to create something as iconic as Garfield or Peanuts—and even then, it wasn't a lucrative path, so I shouldn't bother. 

With my dreams squashed, I continued doodling for fun, took some drawing courses in college (the only classes I actually attended), and eventually dropped out. I spent the next decade working typical jobs, but after a series of major life events, I realized life is too short to hate your job. With my husband’s support, I quit my job and embarked on a creative journey that led to the birth of Hearts and Sharts.

The name Hearts and Sharts was born after a few glasses of whiskey and some giggles over the phrase "arts and farts." I put my own spin on it, creating a name that encompasses everything from cute and colorful to snarky and irreverent. This became the perfect foundation for our tagline: “a little cute, a little unexpected.”

Since its inception in 2012, Hearts and Sharts has evolved through many iterations. I started by selling handmade girls' dresses, baby onesies, and custom pet pillows on Etsy. In 2014, Hearts and Sharts transformed into a DIY blog (super cringe) and a furniture refinishing business. By 2016, I was doodling and drawing again, realizing my 8-year-old self had it right all along. 

The best and most recent iteration began in early 2018, when Hearts and Sharts became a greeting card and gift line, offering a unique blend of humor and creativity.