Happy Monday! Like many graphic designers, I am obsessed with paper. I hoard notebooks, buy cards that I’ll never send strictly for the design, agonize for hours over finding the perfect pen to write my grocery list. It’s a designer thing. But, it’s a big designer thing, because stationery is still a whole industry, despite this digital age we’re in. Yesterday, began the National Stationery Show in the Big Apple. My Instagram has been blowing up with some amazing photos of stunning cards, lettering, calligraphy and beautiful paper. I thought I would make this week’s Small Bites a National Stationery Show edition and link to some of the awesome shops and letterpresses out there.
Emily McDowell Studio: She recently made the news for her beautiful empathy cards. When Emily had cancer, she had a lot of friends disappear because they just didn’t know what to say or how to handle her illness. She felt lonely and afraid at a time when she most needed support. So, she designed these empathy cards that really say how much being ill is awful, but with a bit of humor. Read the NPR story here.
Rifle Paper Co: This amazing company hails from Florida and makes beautiful stationery, cards, notepads, iPhone cases and prints. To me, their style looks like what would happen if Kate Spade and Wes Anderson got married, and it’s beautiful.
Hen Pen Paper Co: From Ohio and comprised of a husband and wife team, Hen Pen makes delightful cards and stationery with adorable illustrations and whimsical lettering.
Ladyfingers Letterpress: Definitely my favorite for a few reasons—they’re headquartered here in Colorado Springs, which is awesome. And, they are seriously killer designers and letterpress printers. Their cards are stunning and they recently earned a spot in the printmaking issue of Uppercase Magazine. And, as of last night, they won 6 Louie Awards for their work at the show.
Follow the National Stationery Show this week on Twitter and Instagram with the handle @stationeryshow. The hashtags are #NSS and #NSS15.
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