CANR Alumna Denise Fiedler brings holiday cheer with new USPS stamp design
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EmailSan Francisco-based artist and entrepreneur Denise Fiedler was recently selected to design a series of 2025 Holiday Cheer Forever Stamps by the United States Postal Service.
Denise Fiedler ('74, Interior Design) could hardly believe it when she opened her email and found out she was being asked to design a series of 2025 Holiday Cheer Forever Stamps by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
“At first, I thought, ‘is this for real?’”
But when she looked up the USPS contact and confirmed that the request was legitimate, she was thrilled, writing back immediately to gladly accept the offer. “It was a ‘pinch me’ kind of moment—what an opportunity.”
Fiedler was given creative license by USPS but immediately knew she wanted to incorporate her love of nature into her designs. Scheduled for release on September 13, Fiedler crafted four unique stamps that celebrate the holiday season.
Each stamp design evokes a festive charm: a vibrant bouquet of scarlet amaryllis, cardinals perched atop mistletoe, winter fruits nestled among evergreen branches and a holiday wreath adorned with a red bow.
A native of St. Clair Shores, Fiedler was drawn to MSU for a variety of reasons, including its affordability, proximity to home, vibrant campus and the recommendation of a close friend.
“I knew they had an excellent interior design program, and I thought the campus was beautiful, I was really enamored with it.”
Fiedler quickly fell in love with the natural beauty and classic architecture of MSU’s north campus. “My first dorm was Landon Hall, and I resonated with the older buildings,” she said, “I just loved the old trees and walking to classes, it was always a great experience.”
In 1974, Fiedler graduated with a bachelor’s degree in interior design from the School of Planning, Design and Construction in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Her first job out of college was an interior design position with Marshall Fields in downtown Chicago.
Fiedler held that role for a few years, while continuing her artwork on the side. “Throughout my career, my natural tendency to make art has always tugged at my sleeve,” she said. She then transitioned to a position with Crate and Barrel, which led her to Boston and, eventually, San Francisco.
While in San Francisco, Fiedler launched Bravura, her own wholesale home and fashion textile design company. She supplied clients across the United States and around the world. Bravura operated for over 18 years until Fiedler decided it was time to move her career in a different direction.
Inspired by a lifelong love of vintage paper and collage art, in 2009 Fiedler started her current business, Paste. “One day, I was going through a box of vintage and antique ephemera in my closet when a light bulb went on and I realize I could put this to use through collage.” At Paste, Fiedler puts a new spin on the art of collage by creating imaginative compositions using hand-painted book pages, unique textures and other creative uses of paper.
Paste has grown to include a variety of stationery items, greeting cards and art prints. In addition, it offers custom commissions, including children and pet portraits, branding for small businesses, artwork for interior designers, and much more.
She also shares her passion for art through teaching, offering classes at her San Francisco-based studio that attract a wide range of students. Reflecting on her journey, Fiedler said that her current work at Paste feels like a culmination of all her experiences as an artist. “Everything I’ve done has led up to this.”
Much like her other artwork, Fiedler’s stamp designs are meant to spark joy by reminding people of the beauty that surrounds us. For many, including Fiedler, the holidays can be overwhelming, and this stress can cause us to lose sight of what’s important. “But it's always nature that brings me back.”
In a small way, she hopes her stamps inspire others to slow down, reconnect with nature, and reflect on the simple, meaningful moments that make the holidays special.
For more information about Holiday Cheer Stamps, visit the USPS website. More information about Paste can be found here.
