Local spotlight: Mayra Cordero creates custom, affordable cards in Chatham

For just $5, you can snag a beautiful, handmade card—and meet the Chatham artist behind it.

It only takes Mayra Cordero a few minutes to get from her Chatham home to the local farmers market, where she sets up shop every Tuesday afternoon.  

Her smile reverberates throughout the newly acquired building at 24 Depot St., home of the Chatham Farm Market, where an eclectic bounty of handmade cards lays gingerly across her table. There’s a certain sparkle present in Cordero’s eyes as she speaks about her art—a glimmer that comes from reminiscing about the way she got involved in cardmaking over a decade ago.

“A friend of mine, back in 2014, she was making cards and she got me into it,” Cordero said. “And I’ve been in it ever since.” 

Sharing her creativity with the community, Cordero uses some items you might expect—and others that might surprise you. She spoke of incorporating everything from real flowers to decorative napkins in her designs.  

“I just look at stuff, and it comes,” she said. 

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Cordero points toward one example at her display: A vibrant card with three-dimensional floral elements, a “best wishes” sticker, and a burgundy, woodland background. She said it’s currently her favorite design. 

“I love the colors and I love the flowers, and the saying, of course,” Cordero said. 

Since they’re all handmade, each design at Mayra’s Card Boutique is one-of-a-kind. She also takes special orders—and doesn’t charge extra for commissions.

All cards are blank inside, so customers can write their own special message. For those who would like to order a card, but can’t make it to the market in Chatham, Cordero accepts orders through email at [email protected] or on Facebook.

The kicker? You’re not paying big-box store prices. No. For a lovingly crafted, uniquely catered card, it’s just $5. 

While a card serves as a sweet gift to give away, there’s another treasure, and it’s hidden in the transaction: Meeting Cordero, who handmakes each and every design with care and compassion—and a bright smile, too.