Press
Designs by Dij, Custom Cards & More
Besides custom cards, Designs by Dij creates products such as pillows, umbrellas, tote bags and more—as (from left) Madisyn Lush, Micah Lush, Harmonie Lush, Vanise Lush and Mckaylynn Lush model here. Photo courtesy Khadijah Muhammad
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 5:45 p.m. CDT
Khadijah Muhammad had always loved to sing, but bad news silenced the songbird inside the Detroit, Mich., native when a doctor put her on complete vocal rest.
"That's when I got a chance to nurture another art form," she says.
Muhammad had always loved "anything creative," so when she was stripped of her primary medium, she turned a watchful eye to the artistic needs of others.
"I'd go to the store and see people in greeting-card aisles, agonizing over what cards to buy their loved ones, but the cards didn't say what people wanted them to say," Muhammad recalls.
Recognizing a gap in the market, she started creating her own line of three-dimensional greeting cards, which has now expanded to include pop-up cards, box cards and explosion cards. Muhammad creates each one by hand, noting that her line allows a sender to "say exactly what they want to convey to their loved ones."
The importance of her business, which she dubbed "Designs by Dij," has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I promote my business to let customers know that greeting cards are necessary. Even if you can't be physically present with someone, you can still send them a greeting card of love to let them know that we are all in this together."
Muhammad’s art is also represented in the face masks her business offers, which embody messages of Black love and other themes. Photo courtesy Khadijah Muhammad
Muhammad had always loved "anything creative," so when she was stripped of her primary medium, she turned a watchful eye to the artistic needs of others.
"I'd go to the store and see people in greeting-card aisles, agonizing over what cards to buy their loved ones, but the cards didn't say what people wanted them to say," Muhammad recalls.
Recognizing a gap in the market, she started creating her own line of three-dimensional greeting cards, which has now expanded to include pop-up cards, box cards and explosion cards. Muhammad creates each one by hand, noting that her line allows a sender to "say exactly what they want to convey to their loved ones.
The importance of her business, which she dubbed "Designs by Dij," has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I promote my business to let customers know that greeting cards are necessary. Even if you can't be physically present with someone, you can still send them a greeting card of love to let them know that we are all in this together," Muhammad says.
Jennifer Maker "Crafts Of Color" Feature
Khadijah – Meet Khadijah. She is from Mississippi and is the owner, designer and creative artist of Designs By Dij. She loves dabbling in anything creative and started her business in the fall of 2016 by making structural greeting cards. She now owns a 3D greeting card and gift shop where everything is handmade. She enjoys using the medium of digital art and has dedicated a segment of her line to portray unique art that empowers and portrays the strides and strengths of the black community. She loves making new things and getting her feet wet in many creative avenues. She loves seeing the look on others faces when they see her one of a kind designs. Soon she will have a YouTube channel with tutorials and things! Please support Khadijah in her creative adventures by following her on Instagram @designsbydij or on Facebook: facebook.com/designsbydij
Black Women's Business Expo
January 2020
Top 50 Women In Business Honoree
January 2020
Let Me Adjust My Crown One on One Pre-Show Interview
June 24, 2020
Let Me Adjust My Crown Event
July 2, 2020
