I'm Howard Stone

For years, I designed shirts for myself and friends, never thinking much of it beyond the fun of creating them. But every time I wore one out and about, people would stop me to ask, “Where did you get that?” Eventually, I realized I had something worth sharing. So, at age 76, I decided to turn my passion into Howard Stone Tees.

Though I grew up in Dorchester (a section of Boston, for those not familiar with the area), I've called Providence home since 1971. For nearly five decades, I worked as a catalog librarian at Brown University, where I developed a deep appreciation for language, humor, and the strange, wonderful ways that information connects us. That same curiosity now fuels my designs—whether they’re literary, artistic, musical, or just plain funny.

One of my first creations was inspired by my wife and her sugar preferences. She can't have real sugar, so I designed a series of shirts featuring artificial sweeteners—logo on the front, chemical formula on the back—turning an everyday curiosity into a wearable joke. People loved them, and that got me thinking: T-shirts are a perfect way to share ideas, along with a little wit and style.

Now, I spend my time bringing those ideas to life, drawing inspiration from literature, music (especially timeless classics like Schubert’s Erlkönig), and the everyday absurdities of life. You can find me at local artisan markets, chatting with fellow creative people, and connecting with kindred spirits online. My goal? To make shirts that spark curiosity, invite laughter, and give people something worth wearing.