JacintaINK™/JacintaPICS™, a local Canadian business in Stittsville, was founded and is proudly operated by Jacinta Cillis-Asquith, a passionate artist and business owner. Jacinta creates handmade greeting cards, photo cards, and calendars, all of which reflect her love for animals, nature, and high-quality craftsmanship. Whether you’re interested in birthday cards or a unique seasonal gift, JacintaINK™ has something special to offer.
Jacinta’s journey as an artist began with a deep love for animals and greeting cards. Over the years, her style has evolved. “Some of my designs still hold to the classic look of the first card designs, while others resemble a more whimsical and freestyle design,” Jacinta explains. Early in her career, she used technical pens and Indian ink on watercolour paper, diving into the hands-on process of prepress work and working directly with printers. “In the ‘old days’ (pre-digital age), there was a lot to getting a design “camera ready,” meeting with printers, and travelling to the print location.” Today, with the help of digital tools, Jacinta can design and work with printers online, simplifying the process but maintaining the same level of quality.
Jacinta continues to experiment with new techniques and designs, introducing her Nature Note card line, which features realistic watercolours of birds and other animals. “I had never used watercolours until I was almost 20 years old,” Jacinta says. “At the time, I was using pastels and coloured pencils. There was something about watercolour I loved, especially the cleanup, just water.” As JacintaINK™ grows, she hopes to expand further. “When I have grown into a much bigger company, I can welcome other artists and help them get published.”
The current market for small businesses can be difficult, especially with the closure of many local shops. To adapt, Jacinta has introduced a subscription service for her cards. For $9.99 per month, customers receive two JacintaINK™ greeting cards with free shipping, while JacintaPICS™ photo cards are available for $12.99 per month. “Getting two cards shipped to your door for these prices is a huge value to the consumer and provides cards on hand without going out.”
The late 2024 postal strike disrupted Jacinta’s holiday sales, as customers couldn’t mail Christmas cards or calendars. Despite this, Jacinta continues offering unique Christmas cards, individually and in packages, for use during the holiday season.
Through the sales of her annual calendar, Jacinta has supported the Stittsville Food Bank for many years. All proceeds from her 2025 calendars are donated to the food bank, furthering her commitment to making a positive impact. “The idea that someone can receive food, such a basic need, immediately with no judgment through the community’s benevolence and the generosity of those who volunteer at the food bank captured my heart and inspires me even today.”
Jacinta’s work has touched the lives of many people in the community. “Several seniors have shared with me that my calendar on their wall is a thing of beauty and inspiration and that seeing my nature photos creates a feeling of being in touch with nature, especially if they do not get out much or are in a senior’s home.”
With over 100 designs, including birthday cards, pet sympathy cards, 50 different holiday/Christmas cards, and more, JacintaINK™ offers something for every occasion. Jacinta also sometimes sells at local markets, such as the Stittsville Community Crafters, Producers & Vendors Market. “I plan to focus more on getting my card lines into some smaller shops where independent cards can be sold,” she says. “If you see something that is not on my site, as it will take me many moons to update, message me on Facebook, and I will be able to locate it for you.”
Celebrate the season with Jacinta’s delightful spring and Easter cards! Send festive cheer with the Easter cards, or capture the essence of spring with the elegant Spring Symphony Note Card. For a fun and playful touch, check out the Spring Creatures Fun Note Card here. These are the perfect gifts to brighten up someone’s day this spring!
Explore more of what JacintaINK™ has to offer online at www.jacintainkstore.com, or follow Jacinta on social media for updates and new designs: