Search Results for: calling cards

A Glimpse at the Life of a Stationery Rep

Well, hello there!  Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Carina with Crow and Canary.  I’m an independent stationery rep and all-around champion of modern, indie designers.  I’m simply delighted to have the honor of guest posting on Oh So Beautiful Paper.  Being immersed in the stationery world, OSBP really is the go-to blog for paper lovers.  Below is a little glimpse into my business.

My day typically starts like many small business owners, trying to tame my email in-box and striving to strike a balance between the things I need to accomplish on my appointment calendar/to-do list and my enthusiasm for social networking – namely Twitter, but I also Blog and Facebook when time allows.

NSS badge and name tag

Blog Calling Cards

Badge from the 2010 National Stationery Show and custom name tag by Moth and Squirrel (top) Blog calling cards (bottom).

This is my fifth year in business, so I have the pleasure and fortune of being approached by a multitude of designers about repping new lines on a near daily basis.  Going to my mailbox is particularly fun, on a good day I’ll be laden with boxes containing new samples, catalogs and random line submissions.  It’s quite inspiring to see what’s new and I never tire of pouring over the latest and greatest from the awesome designers I represent.

Birddog Press Kit

Two Trick Pony Rep Kit

Enticing press/rep kit from BirdDog Press (above) and Two Trick Pony (below).

I frequently meet with retailers to show them new samples and seasonal cards and gift items that will soon line their shelves.  I am incredibly lucky to work with a wonderful bunch of buyers and shop owners including Perch in San Francisco, Yolk in Los Angeles and Tilde in Portland, the list really goes on and on.  One of the biggest challenges of my job is not spending my entire budget at the awesome boutiques and bookstores that I call on – I really think of it as an occupational hazard.

Yellow Owl Workshop Cards

Austin Press Cards

Cards by Yellow Owl Workshop (above) and Austin Press (below) at Prize in Ashland, Oregon.

 

Another excellent perk of my job is the amount of traveling I do in the name of my business.  I’ve been to all of the major wholesale gift shows on the West Coast and make the journey to New York at least once a year for the National Stationery Show or NYIGF.  Occasionally, I’m able to time my trips with other fun events such as the Renegade Craft Fairs or Unique LA.  In 2009, I was lucky enough to be in San Francisco during the SFCB annual event: The Road­works Steam­roller Print­ing Street Fair.  It was a blast and I loved chatting with some of the printers that participated.

Roadworks

Roadworks Prints

Large linoleum cuts at The Road­works Steam­roller Print­ing Street Fair.

At the end of the day, I count myself as quite lucky to have a job that I love so much.  Perpetuating the act of sending real mail in a digital era is not as challenging as it sounds.  Because, really… Who doesn’t love to receive a Birthday or Thank You card in their mailbox?  I’ve yet to meet a person that can say that a lovely card doesn’t bring a sense of joy to their day.

“A Glimpse at the Life of a Stationery Rep” is a guest post by Carina Murray of Crow & Canary

{happy weekend!}

You know how some weeks are just harder than others?  This has been a tough week for me, with a to-do list that feels like it’s getting longer by the minute and a rapidly dwindling energy level.  I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, drained, and a little burned out – and on top of all of that, over the last few days I also managed to come down with a bit of a cold.  Not a good combination!  I’m hoping to recharge a bit this weekend and start fresh next week.  But in the meantime…

…a few links for your weekend:

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

That’s it for me this week!  I hope you all have a lovely weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday!

{image credit: mrmikej via design crush}

Paper Lovely Calling Cards

While we’re on the topic of business cards this week, Kim from Paper Lovely has just come out with an adorable line of letterpress calling cards!  Kim is offering seven design options, from modern stripes to pretty swirls and flourishes.

modern-letterpress-calling-cards

modern-letterpress-calling-cards-tree

modern-letterpress-calling-cards-swirls

modern-letterpress-calling-cards-monogram

Kim is offering 15% off the calling card collection from her Etsy shop through this weekend only – just use code CALLME15 at checkout!

{image credits: paper lovely}

More Paper-Inspired Pairings

It’s been such a pleasure to blog here for the last five days.  A huge thanks to Nole for letting me take over her blog this last week. I hope it’s been a fun and relaxing break for her.  I thought I would leave you with much as I began, with a few more pairings inspired by some of my favourite items from the Oh So Beautiful Paper archives.  Have a great weekend!

1. Oilcloth fabric by Cath Kidston
2. Invitations by Mitchell & Dent, originally blogged here

1. Chevron pillow by Madeline Weinrib
2. Calling cards by Sweetbeaker, originally blogged here

1. Coral decoupage by John Derian
2. Invitations by Zenadia Design, originally blogged here

1. Butterfly cushion by Bev Hisey
2. Escort cards by Wren Handmade, originally blogged here

1. Tabletop linens by DwellStudio
2. Note cards by Satsuma Press, originally blogged here

1. Aurora fabric from Rapture & Wright
2. Wedding invitations by Postal Press, originally blogged here

“More Paper-inspired Pairings” is a guest post by Jane Flanagan of Ill Seen, Ill Said.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2011 everyone!  It was so nice to take a little break and unplug last week, but I’m slowly easing back into my routine.  I still haven’t really wrapped my head around 2011 yet, have you?  2010 was such a whirlwind and full of transition from start to finish.  I met some of my favorite bloggers (and make new friends) at Alt, moved to a new apartment that feels more like home, and lost my grandmother – all within the first month of 2010.  A winter storm left us with more than 2 feet of snow and kept us housebound for nearly a full week.  A bit later in the year I quit my day job (yay!), started a second blog, and then the months started to fly by even faster.  There are more big changes in store for 2011, but I’m optimistic about the challenges to come.

I’ll be back with some beautiful wedding invitations just a bit later.  But since I didn’t do my usual weekly round-up last week, I thought I’d do a quick round-up to start off the week:

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and New Year!

{image via mary ruffle}