Here’s another batch of cool paper goods I’ve discovered from my research on the National Stationery Show. Yay! If you missed Part 1, check it out here.
This Australian company makes beautiful greeting cards and art prints in brush lettering and foil (the copper is the best!) and also specialize in custom signs and chalkboards. Very cool.
These quirky Brits stand out from the crowd. They create beautiful products with an antique sensibility but with a lots of humor, color, and a dash of glitter.
Image via Chase and WonderImage via Chase and Wonder
I’m a lover of inspirational and motivational quotes, like many people. I think they really can help you get through a rough day. I have a Pinterest board that I’ll peruse when things are crappy, and there’s always at least one that puts things into perspective, calms me down, or inspires me to keep going. And you can never read too many or have too many strategically placed at home or at work–which is where I need them most! I’ve started creating my own recently, just to mess around in Photoshop and learn some new skills–and it’s been SO FUN. So I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you this summer!!
This one is simple, but meaningful. It reminds me to keep working toward my goals, and to tackle my big, daunting projects now, not later. To keep moving forward. It can be so hard to start something new, but it just takes one little step. Five minutes can push you in the right direction. Add up 5, 10, 30 minutes every day and without even noticing, you’re in the middle of something! Woot!
The National Stationery Show took place a few weeks ago (May 17-20) and it’s something I’ve wanted to attend for years. YEARS. I love everything paper so this event is something I get really excited about. I soak in the buzz, the mailers, the hard work and rewards, and then the recaps! Nole at Oh So Beautiful Paper (OSBP) attends each year and does an amazing job at recapping the show. I think this year’s recap is at least five parts (so far, but I’d expect 10-15!) And it’s awesome. She provides a good mix of the most popular booths that everyone raves about.
This year, I wanted to know more about the show, how to attend, the cost, who is attending, etc. So I followed along closely on Instagram and Facebook to see what I could learn, and scoured the NSS website. Along the way, I found loads of great companies, many of them small businesses, that work incredibly hard to get there. Months and months go into planning their booth and it’s a huge investment of time and money. I want to share some beautiful paper goods I stumbled upon through my research, so this is part one of a roundup of my discoveries. Many of them haven’t had an opportunity to post their new items yet, but this gives you a taste of their aesthetic. If you’re a paper lover, check out Nole’s posts, and also give this list a look-see. Maybe you’ll discover someone new to love!
Adorable letterpress and screen printed cards. My eyes are naturally drawn to cactus and 90s hip hop lyrics. And both seem to be trending themes in paper goods right now!
Image via Lucky Horse PressImage via Lucky Horse Press
2. Ornament Letterpress
Ornament Paper and Letterpress has stunning designs that remind me of fabric–add the beautiful letterpress printing process, and you almost have fabric!
Image via Ornament LetterpressImage via Ornament Letterpress
Ink Meets Paper has beautiful letterpress cards that are soft and feminine. They also have unique envelopes, which really add to the overall feel of their products.
Image via Ink Meets PaperImage via Ink Meets Paper
I’ve become enamored with style challenges on Instagram in the last few months (check out this post for more info). It’s a fun, creative way to look at your closet! Each day offers a style prompt, such as “polka dots,” “brights and stripes,” or “top to bottom under $100.” The best part is there are no rules! You can follow it, or do the opposite, or participate for one day, or all thirty. You post your outfit pic with the associated hash tag, and you can see how others interpreted the prompt. There’s a wonderful community and everyone is positive and encouraging! And you eliminate the need to go shopping–you can shop your own closet with a fresh set of eyes!
Have I sold you yet? I really, really encourage you to give it a try. There are a ton of challenges out there, but a few are Dean Street Society’s #StyleMe(enter month here), @WearWhatWhere’s #WearWhatWhere, and @911style’s weekly #911Style_Challenge. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Try searching “Instagram Style Challenge” in Google for more options.
I have a smallish apartment and I’m always looking for clever ways to store things, whether it’s dividers in my sock drawers, bins for under my bed, or a file cabinet to stuff into the coat closet. I looked for something to store my clutches in for a long time and came up empty-handed. I knew I needed something that didn’t take up square footage and was pretty, too. I stumbled across basic wire baskets at The Container Store that you can hang on the wall and I was sold! It’s the perfect DIY storage for small spaces–they’re affordable and offer a great foundation to spruce up–with spray paint, name tags, or even weaving with fabric! This is super easy project and goes up quickly.
Materials
Wire baskets (mine are from The Container Store)
Screws
Level
Pencil
Spray paint (optional)
Drill
Basic Idea
Spray paint baskets the color of your choice (optional, of course, but think about the possibilities!). Mine are gold.
Measure and mark the drill points with a pencil. If installing them in a vertical line, measure to ensure they will be in line with one another. Make sure the marks are level. This is where a level comes in handy. I love the Stanley level app on my iPhone.
Attach the baskets to the wall using your drill.
Fill with goodies!
I love the wire baskets because it showcases my clutches and also reminds me to use them more often! Win win.
