I’m showing my age here, but there was a song in the late 80s by Steve Winwood that I used to dance around the house singing to, jumping up and down off the furniture, using a wooden spoon as my microphone. The prevailing lyric in that tune was “You’ve got to roll with it, baby…” …
After 9 months of working from home, the one question I get repeatedly from friends and customers alike is: So how do you like working from home? In some cases, the inquiry comes from genuine curiosity; in others, it sounds like a loaded question–as if they’re daring me to say I’m sitting around eating bon-bons …
Lush letterpress you can afford to love …without scrimping on the materials you love. Choose from a variety of papers, including Crane’s 100% recycled cotton tree-free Lettra paper. Customize your selection with your choice of inks and typestyles. Designers’ Fine Press was born with the idea that impeccable designs impressed into fine papers (aka letterpress) should be …
For much of my adult life, and even during my teenage years, I’ve felt like “one of the guys” in many ways. Growing up, I even cut off my Shirley Temple curls at the age of three, purportedly so I could run faster like my big brother. My family lived on 55 acres, so what did we do …
Read more “Bridesmen and Groomsmaids: Not Your Mother’s Bridal Party”
Hey, guess what? We’re moving this week! You’ve heard the rumors…so let’s set the record straight, shall we? After 11 years in business, 2016 had me noodling on how to continue to grow while meeting the needs of my clients in the absolute best way possible. So, I did what I always do. I mixed things up a bit. As the …
Truth: As a business owner, for the most part I get to decide what to do every day. Some days that can be a blessing (all right, most days), and sometimes it’s a curse (especially without a team of coworkers to help keep the creative juices flowing). Some days I design things. Some days I print things. …
Wedding Season has begun! Wait- what’s that you say? But it’s January! Yep, that’s right… And in the world of wedding industry professionals, this is the beginning of our busiest time of year since most couples plan weddings that will take place during the months May-October. Since we know a lot of our customers are …
Read more “10 Things to Ask Your Stationer (and we hope that’s us!)”
I’ve been stewing all morning about what I should be doing differently… with my business, with my life, and with my relationships. There’s just an overarching feeling that I’m not quite doing something “right.” And I’ve felt somewhat paralyzed by indecision as I’ve been swirling options around in my head without any particular direction or …
The Envelope celebrated its tenth anniversary on September 3, 2015 – that’s ten whole years of being open for business! In some ways I can’t believe how fast the years flew by, and in other ways it seems like an entire lifetime. To say I’ve learned so much from being a business owner is to …
“I’m deep into writing love letters…” she said as she walked in the door. “I hope you can help me. I was up until 3 a.m. because the words kept pouring out.” Simply put, I love this. I love that people are still writing love letters. I love that people are seeking out special stationery …
Decadent. That’s the one word I would use to describe Midori ribbon. With French double-faced satins, organdy, dupioni silk, gros grain, velvet, velvet satin, custom tidings ribbon and more, you’ll never be without the perfect ribbon ever again. Midori also offers gorgeous handmade gift wrap and boxes. Midori started on a kitchen table in 1989, created by …
“Make good choices today,” my mom said as we hung up the phone this morning. Really? I’m a woman in my thirties, and my mother is reminding me to “make good choices”? I actually laughed out loud. But as soon as I hung up, her words seeped into my subconsciousness, where I’m sure they will …
I recently fell in love…with an old building in Centerville that caught my eye last Summer when it came up for sale. As I walked through it, it spoke to me. Not once, not twice, but every time I set foot inside it. The building silently told me things I didn’t know about myself; it …
Eight years under my belt. Today marks the beginning of my ninth year as an entrepreneur. Somehow when I wasn’t looking I turned into a grownup. This definitely warrants a cupcake. Let me try to describe the feeling I had driving to the shop today, as one of my favorite songs came on and my …
With the societal trend toward whatever is better, faster, and smarter, I’ve noticed (and I’m sure I’m not the only one) a decline in the overall quality of goods and services in the marketplace. It’s become evident that as big box retailers work themselves into a frenzy trying to keep up with the curve while …
It’s been a long time since I cried over paper. And before you go thinking I’m a big ninny, I can assure you that it doesn’t happen very often, but when it DOES, there’s a pretty good reason for it. In fact, the last time was in New York City at the National Stationery Show …
When was the last time you challenged yourself? I mean really challenged yourself. Have you ever reached for something that wasn’t even on your radar six months ago? Have you ever pushed yourself to do something that you didn’t think was possible? When was the last time you put yourself into a situation you weren’t comfortable with, …
We do custom. This is where it all begins…Consistently over the past two decades, I haven’t seen any one company rival the popularity of this custom design invitation line. Envelopments offers the ability to create your own one-of-a-kind invitation using layers of gorgeous card stock, original artwork, pocket folds, ribbon and more. Envelopments was recognized …
There’s something about familiarity that you just can’t put a price on. Think about it. The folks from Cheers nailed it. What is it that makes you decide where you’re going to shop, get a cocktail after work, or buy a special gift for someone? I would be willing to bet that most of us …
Come experience a vibrant collaboration of art by three local Dayton artists and community leaders at an Opening Reception Friday, June 15th. The Opening Reception kicks off the beginning of a special exhibit that will run through July 5th, featuring: Painting on Rusted Steel by Mike Elsass, Abstract Expressionism by Ron Rollins and Urban Photography …
UPDAYTON’S “STAY IN DAYTON” MISSION CONTINUES (Written for Dayton City Paper by Annie Bowers) Where will you be on Friday, April 27th? Are you interested in attracting and retaining creative talent in the Dayton Region? If so, join close to 200 fellow Daytonians and community partners at the Dayton Art Institute for the 2012 updayton …
“You don’t have to know where you’re going to be headed in the right direction.” I took the advice of a marketing guy I know and decided to use my most recent fortune from P.F. Chang’s as my blog post topic this week. (And by “this week” I mean the first post I’ve written since …
I was pulling into the parking lot at work the other day, and I had this crazy idea… What if there was only one homeless person? Now I know that sounds ridiculous, but I just thought, “If there was only ONE person who needed a home, wouldn’t most of us feel inclined to help?” Doesn’t …
Just once this week, I challenge each of you to put down the laptop, the iPad, the smart phone….and make something with your hands. And don’t tell me you’ve forgotten how to do that. Remember in elementary school how we had art class at least once a week? We’d make paintings, chalk rubbings, little clay …
There’s been quite the hullabaloo lately surrounding the notion of “keeping it local” and supporting local businesses. Why all the fuss? Well, it’s like this: when small businesses support each other, it creates a sense of community. When there is a sense of community, people are more prone to endeavor to continue making that community …
If you’ve talked to me at all over the past month or two, you’ve probably heard me mention the term “minimalism” once or twice. Part of my excitement over this concept started during the research I did for a Dayton City Paper article that came out last week. I had the pleasure of interviewing two amazing …
…don’t forget to slow down, make time for friends and loved ones, and try to remember that this time of year isn’t about rampant consumerism, or the latest technological gadgety doo-dads, or the eight dozen cookies you need to make for the school cookie exchange. The holiday season holds special meaning for many people, for …
There should be more days when we allow ourselves just one goal: create beauty. I’ve had the unique opportunity to spend some time in the Front Street studios, working and painting alongside renowned artist, Mike Elsass. Mike’s Dayton gallery, “The Color of Energy,” and countless others from Sedona to Chicago showcase his talents, and now The …
As I walked out of Boston Stoker this morning, chai in hand, I realized something. I had just wished the barista a happy Labor Day weekend, and he responded, “You have a good weekend, too!” To which I replied, “I’ll try…” Now, why did I say that instead of, “Thanks, I will!” or any number …
I had a hard time deciding which noun to use in the title of this post- does “complacency” accurately depict what happens when a business refuses to grow and adapt to the changing times? I also thought of the word “atrophy” because if we fail to change, we fail to grow and thrive, and we …
For any of you who have happened to make it through all of the FAQ’s (and actually read the blurb at the top about not getting answers to ALL of your questions), here is the final answer to a pretty darn important life question, if I do say so myself. What is the secret to …
There is a poignant greeting card from Curly Girl Design that says “It is without question our duty to honor the love of every human heart as we would our very own.” I just had a woman stop in and buy this particular card to send to a friend’s adult son who had been particularly …
I took this picture in Times Square in May as I marveled at this guy who was offering free hugs to passers-by on the street. There is something so honest and vulnerable about a stranger on the streets of New York asking for hugs, but if you really think about it, it’s simple – sometimes …
“The concept of a handwritten note, a wax seal, and the whole nine yards is kind of lost on the public at large these days,” he said as he looked through paper selections trying to find the perfect stationery to represent his personality and taste. I couldn’t agree more. It wasn’t too long ago that …
As I sit here taking a small break from the hustle and bustle, I am reflecting on this past year, and realizing how lucky I am. First and foremost, I’m so lucky to have such a cool, smart, sensitive little boy that I get to spend the holidays with. I’m also so incredibly fortunate that …
I had an enlightening experience today that reminded me of the caliber and integrity of our customers. A young man stopped in today explaining that he was in a major time crunch and hoped we could help. His wedding is next weekend, and the company that was supposed to print his programs dropped the ball. …