12/09/2016

2016 Gift Guide: For Stationery and Design Enthusiasts

So you aren’t an artist or a designer, but you really love stationery and great design. You’re just like me! And today we’re wrapping up our weeklong gift guide series with a final gift guide with you in mind! Hopefully this will help any of you out there who still might be searching for the perfect gift for a special someone!

1. These wood cheese picks from Belle & Union are the perfect way to dress up your cheese plate! And they’re SO cute!

2. These foil stamped journals from Wild Ink Press would make the cutest stocking stuffers

3. Loving the colors in this ceramic bead necklace from Emily Green

4. I’m totally obsessed with these magnetic weekly agendas from Our Heiday â€“ they’re perfect for busy families that need to coordinate appointments and schedules!

5. ThisÂ gold brushstroke ceramic trayÂ is just so lovely.

6. Just doesn’t get better than these chambray covered journals from Sugar Paper with a gold foil monogram option

7. Anyone else as obsessed with scissors as I am? Loving these new black scissors from Angela Liguori!

8. YES. Print by illustrator Samantha Hahn.

9. Beautiful indigo-dipped wall hanging from WKNDLA

10. I mean, it’s a unicorn keychain with iridescent lavender glitter. What else do I need to say??

11. A good reminder (that you can carry around with you!) by People I’ve Loved

12. The prettiest napkins in the most beautiful windowpane linen from The Everyday Co.

13. Mugs from Sapling PressÂ = no brainer

14. Zodiac matchboxes by The Social Type printed in gold hologram foil!

15.Â The Daydreamer from Thimblepress is a journal with aÂ place to track ideas, notes, to-do lists, inspiration, and other random things â€“ perfect for anyone who uses an online calendar but still wants a place to write things down and brainstorm.

16.Â Gold foil and emerald green in a comfy sweatshirt? Yes, please! (from Ban.do)

11/30/2016

Shop Small with Etsy Wholesale Retailers!

You guys! Today is a really, really exciting day. I’m teaming up with Etsy Wholesale to share ELEVENÂ of my favorite independent stationery stores and boutiques across the country, all in the spirit of shopping small and local this holiday season. I’ve admired every single one of these fantastic stores and their talented proprietors for years, and it’s always a treat when I get to share photos of their beautiful shelves with all of you! Shopping small and local is such a great way to support both your local community and independent artists and designers by supporting the retailers that carry their goods. You can also browse the listings on Etsy Local to find even more independent shops that carry handmade goods in your area!

Spruce

These elevenÂ stores stock their shelves with exquisite greeting cards, accessories, gifts, home dÃ©cor items, jewelry, and so much more â€“ many of which are created by talented Etsy artists and designers on Etsy Wholesale. If you aren’t already familiar with Etsy Wholesale, it’s Etsy’s private wholesale market â€“ where retailers connect with wholesale-ready independent designers and makers to stock their shelves with unique products. Etsy Wholesale offers retailers the opportunity to reach a wide variety of artists, including the ability to search for specific product types to fill gaps on their shelves and discover new artists. It’s such a fantastic resource for both sellersÂ and retailers! And for those of us out shopping this holiday season, we’re guaranteed to find something really special on the shelves of Etsy Wholesale retailers.Â We also asked each retailer to share some of their favorite products from Etsy Wholesale sellers currently on their shelves, which you’ll find below!

Gus & Ruby Letterpress /Â Photo Credit: Emilie Inc Photography

The eleven retailers below all have absolutely impeccable taste and are trendsetters in their communities. If you live near any of these shops, I hope you’ll stop by and say hello for me!

Annie’s Blue Ribbon General StoreÂ / Brooklyn, NY

We love working with Etsy Wholesale sellers because their products are so unique and you can’t find them anywhere else. We can pick and choose from so many great resources all in one place and shop anytime!Â â€“ Ann of Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store

Seoul Little

There are so many Etsy Wholesale designers that we LOVE! But in terms of one I discovered through Etsy Wholesale â€“ it’s got to be Seoul Little. Their jewelry is amazing, I wear their earrings EVERY DAY!!! â€“ Ann of Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store

Broadway Paper / Milwaukee, WI

My favorite part about working with Etsy Wholesale is the ease of buying. Having the ability to peruse, shop, order and pay for an order all in one place (with multiple sellers) is invaluable. I also very much enjoy the Etsy Wholesale email blasts that are sent out; I have ordered from a handful of the featured sellers. â€“Kate of Broadway Paper

Lucky Horse Press

My favorite designer that I currently carry that I discovered on Etsy Wholesale is Lucky Horse Press. Their unique look and clever greetings have gone over very well with our customers. â€“ Kate of Broadway Paper

Clementine / Middlebury, VT

Etsy Wholesale sellers have the heart of handmade crafters with the knowledge of how to interact successfully with retail stores. Also, the checkout makes it really easy to make an order quickly. â€“ Emily of Clementine

Little Goat Paper Co.

I stock over 160 lines at Clementine and at least a quarter of them sell their work via Etsy Wholesale â€“ they’re all my faves. But I did recently discover Little Goat Paper Co. and love their simple cards and correspondingÂ enamel pins. With social media, writing for OSBP,Â and my friendships in the stationery world, it’s rare that I find something I haven’t yet seen, but her letterpress printed illustration of a Bloody Mary (“Hope your birthday is chock full of good things!”) and a pin to match…had me saying: Yes please! â€“ Emily of Clementine

GREERÂ / Chicago, IL

My favorite part about working with Etsy Wholesale sellers is the independent creativity they bring to our merchandise mix. And it feels great to support the passion and effort of so many small makers.Â â€“ Chandra Greer

Heirloom Tomato’s

I can’t say I have an absolute favorite Â product or designer we discovered on Etsy Wholesale â€“ I love them all â€“ but one of the newer designs that we’re excited about and amused by is a line of award ribbon greeting cards from Heirloom Tomato’s.Â I’m also a big fan of Alisa Bobzien, another designer we discovered on Etsy Wholesale, because I’m personally in synch with her design inspirations â€“ books, coffee and positive thinking! â€“ Chandra Greer

Alisa Bobzien

Gus & Ruby LetterpressÂ / Portsmouth, NH

Gus & Ruby Shop Photo Credits: Emilie Inc Photography

We love that we can discover smaller companies that we might not have been able to find easily and then share their incredible talents with our awesome customers. We care deeply about the artists and makers whose work we carry so supporting up and coming designers is such a treat.Â â€“ Samantha, Whitney, and Byrdy of Gus & Ruby Letterpress

Card by Parrott Design StudioÂ and available for purchase here / Photo Credit:Â Emilie Inc Photography

Harvest Paper Co. Matchstick Jars / PhotoÂ Credit:Â Demri Rosekrans

We carry so many Etsy Wholesalers so itâ€™s really tricky to choose just one as a favorite. At this very moment, weâ€™re really loving the bold, graphic pouches, buckets, and bags from Zana Products. Their quirky designs and fun patterns are so eye-catching and the quality construction and materials makes for some seriously awesome pieces. â€“ Samantha, Whitney, and Byrdy of Gus & Ruby Letterpress

Herringbone Planters by Elizabeth Benotti Ceramics / Image Credit:Â Demri Rosekrans

InklingÂ / Chicago, IL

Worthwhile Paper Co.

My favorite designer I’ve found through Etsy Wholesale is Worthwhile Paper Co. She’s been super easy to work with and is always finding creative ways to incorporate her designs into different products. Her line is evolving but she definitely has a distinct style and I always look forward to seeing what she comes up with next. â€“ Stephanie of Inkling

Mac and MurphyÂ / Charleston, SC

Chalkscribe

It’s always fun to have a mix of products that keep up with pop culture andÂ ChalkscribeÂ does an incredible job creating hilarious greeting cards. Even though we order through Etsy and don’t get to meet the designer you always know withÂ someone like Chalkscribe that you’ll be immediate friends. We love that about our brands on Etsy. â€“ Ami and Liz of Mac & Murphy

PapÃ©l New YorkÂ / Brooklyn, NY

I meticulously curate and hand select every item that enters the shop. So I find that Etsy Wholesale allows me to search for items that are not easily found elsewhere, and are made with care and integrity versus the big box vendors. Sellers are super flexible about minimum order requirements, sending samples before placing an order, and the like. â€“ Raegan of PapÃ©l New York

Lemon Drop Papers

Lemon Drop PapersÂ is one of my favorite discoveries via Etsy Wholesale.Â Their tiny love notes are aÂ staple at our counter and simply put, folks just love them. Who wouldnâ€™t want a tiny card and envelope the size of a postage stamp?! â€“ Raegan of PapÃ©l New York

Red Barn Mercantile / Alexandria, VA

For any retailer to stay in business they have to stay current and fresh. Etsy Wholesale artists make that easy for us. These are the creative minds that are coming up with the next cool thing. They are innovative and interesting, which keeps my store relevant to all generations.Â When Etsy launched this wholesale program it was a game changer for both makers and retailers. Itâ€™s an amazing platform for small businesses to find each other and grow together. â€“Amy of Red Barn Mercantile

I love Paula and Waffle for sweet, understated stationery and Upper Metal Class for modernÂ and edgy jewelry.Â My customers have responded to both enthusiastically!Â â€“Amy of Red Barn Mercantile

Salt & SundryÂ / Washington, DC

We’ve been introduced to so many talented designers and makers through the Etsy Wholesale platform. I love that we can connect and learn the sellers’ stories and processes, and the platform makes it so simple to order.Â â€“ Amanda of Salt & Sundry

Worthwhile Paper Co.

We have so many beautiful goods from Etsy Wholesale sellers in the shop! We just added the gorgeous letterpress printed and screen printed leather goods from Almanac Industries, which I can’t wait to receive. I’m also crazy about Worthwhile Paper‘s lunar prints and phases of the moon calendar. â€“ Amanda of Salt & Sundry

SpruceÂ / Bellingham, WA

Etsy Wholesale a diverse community of entrepreneurs and small businesses in one marketplace and that allows us to bring in beautiful products sourced from all over the globe. Small businesses are the heart of any community and we love that if you shop with us, youâ€™re really supporting a wide network of communities all over the world. â€“ Brittany of Spruce Stationery & Design

Fox & Fallow

With the new year fast approaching calendars and planners are our favorite! A fresh start is always inspiring. Etsy Wholesale designer Fox & Fallow is a husband and wife team located in Brisbane, Australia and their 2017 positivity calendar has all the good vibes we need to take us through the rest of our American winter. â€“ Brittany of Spruce Stationery & Design

Don’t forget â€“ you can browse the Etsy Local listings to find Etsy retailersÂ in your area. Yay for shopping small and local this holiday season!

This post was created in partnership with Etsy Wholesale.Â All content and opinions are my own.Â Thank you for supporting the sponsorsÂ that make Oh So Beautiful Paper possible!

11/17/2016

The World of Illustration: Botanical Illustrations by Katie Daisy

Hello! This month I’ve personally felt a mound of emotional heaviness, so I was looking for this illustration installment to add some lightness. For me, flowers â€” and really anything botanical â€” are always a natural way of lifting my spirits. And I’m a huge fan of wildflowers â€” Maine wildflowers were, in fact, the makeup of my wedding bouquet. So when I stumbled on the work of illustrator/artist Katie DaisyÂ through a search for botanical illustrations, I knew this was where I wanted to stay for a while. Her illustrated field guide book, How to Be a Wildflower, is now high on my wish list, and her work is something I’d also like to share with my 5-year-old daughter â€” another big fan of wildflowers. Let’s forage through the lovely botanical illustrations byÂ Katie Daisy and her colorful uplifting quotes to capture some positive sunshine. – Jen

Here’s a peek into her New York Times bestselling book, How to Be a Wildflower, which includes activities to do that get you out amongst the trees and flowers:

Katie Daisy mustÂ undoubtedly be inspired by her location, as she lives in beautiful Bend, Oregon â€” a place chock full of trails to hike and wildflowers to pick (or so I’ve seen in photos on my Instagram! Oregon is on my travel wishlist.)

I love the way Katie combines typography with illustration. It’s easy for quotesÂ to go the “cheesy” route or feel overplayed, but her illustrations with words simply feel happy and modern. I could see hanging one of these prints in a kitchen or bathroom just as easily as art in my kiddos’ bedroom.

What also struck me as I checked out Katie’s website and Etsy shopÂ is the extensive body of work she’s created! This is a tiny glimpse of herÂ illustrated art prints and there’s even a whole collection of gifts â€” from illustrated tote bags toÂ pencil pouches. What would be on the top of your list? I can say at the moment, this art print with the trees and that meaningful proverbÂ is what I’d like to hang up in my entry as a gentle reminder.

Thanks for following along this installment of the World of Illustration.Â Be back here again soon!

Photo Credits: Katie Daisy

11/16/2016

DC Guide: Fall Foliage Destinations

This month I’m partnering withÂ Capital Oneâ€™s new Auto NavigatorÂ® site to share some of my favorite spotsÂ in the DC area. Earlier this month I shared three of my favorite independent boutiques, and today I’m excited to share three of my favorite destinations for gorgeous fall foliage! I tend to plan our family adventures based on the season, finding the best places to see cherry blossoms, peonies, and lilacs in the spring and going to a nearbyÂ farm to pick in-season fruits and berries in the summer. We’re currently experiencing peak fall foliage in DC, so it’s the perfect time to head outside and enjoy this beautiful season while it lasts!

There are so many wonderful attractions, historic sites, gardens, and museums in the DC area â€“ and while we can get to most of the museums viaÂ public transportation, some of our favorite destinations are best reached by car. Our car is a pretty important part of our family weekend adventures! When my husband and I bought our first (used) car a few years ago, we had a 6 month-old baby and a brand new mortgage payment, and we were feeling really overwhelmed by life in general.Â We were also focusing more on our short-term financial situation and didn’t really think about the longer term added cost of maintaining an already 10-year old car used for both daily commuting and longer trips to visit family out of state. If I could go back and give my first-time car buying self a piece of advice, I’d tell myself to think more about our long term needs and the emotional security of having a reliable car that you can trust to carry your family wherever it needs to go. I know I feel so, so, so much better putting my money into a payment for a new car with a maintenance package and warranty than I ever felt fixing up our old car!

Capital Oneâ€™s Auto NavigatorÂ® site is changing the auto financing experience to empower consumers and take the stress out of shopping for a car. You’ll find everything you need to find and finance your dream car, all on one website from the comfort of your own home or mobile device. You can find out in minutes if you pre-qualify for auto financing â€“ with no risk to your credit score â€“ then test drive financing options before heading to the dealership. You can even find the perfect car by searching the inventory of over 12,000 dealerships by make, model, and price. Click hereÂ for more information and to get started today.

We’ve been taking advantage of the mild Fall weather to get out and enjoy some of our favorite outdoor destinations. All three should be on your must-visit list!

The Gardens at Dumbarton Oaks

Situated on severalÂ acres at the highest point of DC’s Georgetown neighborhood, the Gardens at Dumbarton Oaks is probably my favorite outdoor destinationÂ in all of Washington, DC. Designed over the course of 30 years by landscape architects Mildred Bliss and Beatrix Farrand, the gardens feature multiple garden terraces with everything from roses and peonies to chrysanthemums and Japanese anemones, an indoor orangerie, beautifully landscaped flower beds, winding walkways along gently rolling hills, ponds and fountains, and so much more. My girls love exploring the meandering paths, while of course I love taking in all the gorgeous flowers and foliage. And since Dumbarton Oaks is located at one of the highest points in DC, there are also some pretty spectacular views of the foliage in neighboring Rock Creek Park.

The National Arboretum

One of the things that I love most about living in DC is that so many of our public attractions offerÂ free admission â€“ including the National Arboretum! And it’s only 10 minutes from my house! With more than 15 garden collections and displays on 446 acres in Northeast DC, the National ArboretumÂ is the perfect place to run around and explore any time of year. I love visiting the Asian Collection, Dogwood Collection, Conifer Collection, and HerbÂ GardenÂ in the fall, but you really can’t go wrong in any section of the park. You can also see the original columns from the U.S. Capitol Building, which were transferred to the Arboretum when the Capitol underwent an expansion in 1958.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate

Whenever we feel the need to escape DC for an hour or two, we jump in the car and head to Mount Vernon. George Washington’s estate is located onlyÂ 30 minutes outside of DC, but feels like an entirely different planet. You can tour the Mansion, stroll around the Estate gardens, walk down to the wharf on the edge of the Potomac River, visit the Pioneer FarmÂ â€“ or even visit theÂ distillery and gristmill! We love to just sit on the lawn behind the mansion and gaze out at the Potomac River (OMG that VIEW), or visit some of the many farm animals on the grounds, including sheep, pigs, and oxen. It’s pretty much the perfect afternoon excursion.

All photos by Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper

This post is sponsored byÂ Capital Oneâ€™s Auto NavigatorÂ®Â site â€“Â click hereÂ for more information and to get started today!Â All content and opinions are my own.Â Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make Oh So Beautiful Paper possible!

11/07/2016

Traditional Black and Gold Screen Printed Invitations

Kids often have all the fun when it comes to celebrating birthdays. I’m always so happy to see adults celebrate some of their own milestone birthdays, especially when the invitations are this pretty! Clara of Goldie Design Co.Â created these traditional black and gold screen printed invitations for a 40th birthday party at an historic hotel full of southern flair. Clara broughtÂ the elegant feel of the venue into the invitation design with the moody black and gold color palette and a crest inspired by the hotel logo, along with custom watercolor envelope liners inspired by the hotel’s tile floors. Beautiful!

From Clara: This design was for the invitations for Courtney’s 40th birthday celebration to be held at the Hotel Emma in San Antonio, Texas. This hotel is Courtney’s all time favorite, and she wanted the simplicity and elegance of this hotel to shine through in the paper pieces. The Hotel Emma is a historical building that used to be a brewhouse, but now houses the 146 rooms of this riverfront hotel. The elegant and traditional, yet modern and warm southern feel was exactly the look we were going for with the birthday party invitation suite.

CourtneyÂ wanted to incorporate her initials into a crest similar to the hotel’s logo, which she planned to use throughout her stationery for the event. This crest sits centered at the top of the invitation card, with a simple double lined border around the text to give it a traditional feel.

The invitation card was screen printed in metallic gold ink on a smooth black paper. The typefaces used in the invitation were kept fairly simple, except for her name done in a flowing modern calligraphy, that would tie together with the hand addressed calligraphy envelopes.

The black and gold color palette brought in that moody southern feel of the hotel, but we wanted to incorporate a pop of color. CourtneyÂ mentioned that she lovesÂ the beautiful tile floors seen throughout the hotel. AfterÂ researching these gorgeous floors, I decided that a soft watercolor painting of the tile pattern would provide the perfect pop of color for the invitation suite. So each envelope was adorned with a custom envelope liner featuring a hand-painted watercolor of the floor pattern. It really tied the suite together and gave it that last bit of southern flair.

The outer envelopes were addressed with calligraphy in metallic gold ink and dressed up with some hand picked vintage stamps to go along with both the theme and color scheme. My favorite stamp used is the Texas statehood one that not only is perfect for the venue of the the party, but also brings out the blues of the watercolor envelope liner. The back flap of the envelope is blind embossed with a simple return address. The invitation was wrapped in a very thin white twine.