Ayyam-i-Ha is a Baha’i festival that is joyously celebrated in countries and territories all over the world. It is a time of hospitality, generosity, and caring for the needy. It typically falls around the end of February and beginning of March and it is either four or five days long.
I love giving and receiving cards for Baha’i Holy Days. With Ayyam-i-Ha around the corner, I thought I’d share some of the Baha’i-inspired greeting cards I’ve stumbled upon. If you know of any others, please feel free to add them in the comments section at the bottom!
#1, 2 & 3: Esdee Designs
Let’s start with the card seen above. It’s the beautiful work of Simeen Douglas from New Zealand who’s the artist behind Esdee Designs. Here are two more examples of her incredible handiwork:
The card above proved so popular that she’s already sold out of them but I love the hand-lettering so much I had to share it! I know it’s a tease but rumour has it she’ll print more. There’s always next year’s Ayyam-i-Ha!
#4, 5 & 6: Ian Artistry
Ian Artistry is a multi-talented artist who makes soul-stirring Baha’i-inspired cards, such as the ones pictured below of the newly constructed Mother Temple of South America in Chile and the nine pointed star. He describes these cards as five dimensional because he “creates them in a spiritually rich environment laden with Baha’i audio talks or songs and a prayerful attitude, giving the cards fifth dimensional soulfulness”.
Other cards feature Swarovski crystals in detailed designs (and he makes Ayyam-i-Ha wrapping paper too!). I have a soft spot for this one titled “Tender Herb”.
#7: A Tiny Seed
atinyseed is an Etsy shop featuring the creations of Charity Hofert of the USA. I love to describe Ayyam-i-Ha as a festival of generosity, hospitality and joy and I think this card is very fitting:
#8, 9 & 10: Patty’s Garden Studio
Patty Harsem’s Pattysgardenstudio has cards featuring her water-colour art. She has cards for holy days, joyous moments, and to express sympathy and condolences. Here are her Ayyam-i-Ha designs:
She also offers mini-cards, such as the one below, to accompany gifts. It includes a description of Ayyam-i-Ha inside for recipients who may be new to this joyous time of year.
#11 & 12: Women Making Things
Carolyn Reddy and Kirby Teuila Grey of Women Making Things offer Ayyam-i-Ha cards in eye-catching designs:
#13: Nightingale Creations
Nightingale Creations features the work of Elika Mahony, who is no stranger to Baha’i Blog (you can listen to her Meditations for the Fast, her single “Hold Thou My Hand”, or read her interview about her album Infinite Bounty). She is also a talented artist and here is one of her beautiful greeting cards that can be found on Etsy:
#14 & 15: 18 Letter Press
18LetterPress, by Cheryl Cooney from the USA, has created these downloadable card designs for Ayyam-i-Ha featuring a silhouette of the Collins Gate in Bahji:
18letterpress also makes Ayyam-i-Ha banners and wrapping paper!
#16: Jbart
jbart is an Etsy vendor with a variety of gifts for sale but I love her floral Ayyam-i-Ha card:
#17, 18 & 19: Little Star Prints
And last but certainly not least, Kerty Kelem of the United Kingdom, is the card designer and creator behind LittleStarPrints which has colourful, bright and cheerful Ayyam-i-Ha cards. Some are downloadable if you’re pressed for time! Here are my favourites:
I’m sure there are many others out there! If you make cards, or know of someone who does, or have any tips and ideas for making your own, please feel free to share in the comments below. And if you have a small gift that will accompany your card, perhaps you’d like to take a look at our Creative Ideas video on how to make your own gift box!
In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.
Thank you so much for sharing my Etsy shop as well as my music. I actually do sell Ayyam-i-Ha cards on my website. Here is the link with photos of the Ayyam-i-Ha cards made with Japanese paper: http://music.elikamahony.com/merch/ayyam-i-ha-cards
Enjoy!
(Also there was a typo on the title of the CD ‘Meditations for the fast’). 🙂
Hi my name is Dorothy Ellis and I would like to order a few Happy Ayyam-i-Ha cards but I’m not sure how to order them. please email me back with instruction. My email address is [email protected] Thank you
Thanks for your question. This article includes a list of artists who create and sell cards for Ayyam-i-Ha online. However, since this article was written a few years ago, it is very likely that these artists have changed what they are making and selling. Since the process of buying the cards online is quite lengthy and will vary depending on who you choose to buy the cards from, we recommend you find someone who is knowledgable with online shopping to sit beside you and go through the process with you. I’m truly sorry we can’t be of more help and we wish you all the best.
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Sonjel, thank you for sharing these beautiful Ayyam-i-Ha cards! I feel inspired by looking at them.
You asked if readers have other recommendations. I like the Ayyam-i-Ha banners from the Etsy shop called Nine Star Studios. Here’s the website: https://www.etsy.com/listing/219765604/bahai-holy-day-decorations-happy-ayyam-i?ref=shop_home_feat_3
Martha (February 2, 2017 at 4:49 PM)
Thanks for sharing this, Martha!
Sonjel Vreeland (February 2, 2017 at 4:57 PM)
Thanks for sharing these incredible ayyam-i-ha greeting cards.
Rusa
Rusa (February 2, 2017 at 10:53 PM)
We’re so glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for commenting, Rusa!
Sonjel Vreeland (February 2, 2017 at 11:10 PM)
These Ayyam-i-ha Greeting Cards are so beautiful!
Criselda R. Figuerres (February 2, 2017 at 11:05 AM)
Yes! They really are lovely to look at! It’s wonderful to see more and more Baha’i-inspired crafts out there!
Sonjel Vreeland (February 2, 2017 at 11:54 AM)
Thank you, dear Sonjel, for adding my shop! Could you please though, correct my name to Kertu Kelem 🙂 Thank you, dear!
Kertu Kelem (February 2, 2017 at 11:24 PM)
Absolutely! Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Kertu!
Sonjel Vreeland (February 2, 2017 at 12:27 AM)
Thank you so much for sharing my Etsy shop as well as my music. I actually do sell Ayyam-i-Ha cards on my website. Here is the link with photos of the Ayyam-i-Ha cards made with Japanese paper: http://music.elikamahony.com/merch/ayyam-i-ha-cards
Enjoy!
(Also there was a typo on the title of the CD ‘Meditations for the fast’). 🙂
Elika Mahony (February 2, 2017 at 6:30 AM)
Thank you for sharing this info and thank you so very much for pointing out the typo! I have corrected it! Thank you, Elika!
Sonjel Vreeland (February 2, 2017 at 10:06 PM)
Please include my website if you choose to….
bonniefieldsart.com
There are a variety of cards on offer……
Cheers!!
love, Bonnie
bonnie fields (January 1, 2018 at 11:15 AM)
Thank you so much for sharing this, Bonnie!
Sonjel Vreeland (January 1, 2018 at 9:52 AM)
Hi my name is Dorothy Ellis and I would like to order a few Happy Ayyam-i-Ha cards but I’m not sure how to order them. please email me back with instruction. My email address is [email protected] Thank you
Dorothy Ellis (December 12, 2021 at 2:26 PM)
Dear Dorothy,
Thanks for your question. This article includes a list of artists who create and sell cards for Ayyam-i-Ha online. However, since this article was written a few years ago, it is very likely that these artists have changed what they are making and selling. Since the process of buying the cards online is quite lengthy and will vary depending on who you choose to buy the cards from, we recommend you find someone who is knowledgable with online shopping to sit beside you and go through the process with you. I’m truly sorry we can’t be of more help and we wish you all the best.
Sonjel Vreeland (December 12, 2021 at 10:30 PM)