Paper Passionista

National Stationery Show is another one for the books. Paper Passionista is excited about our new finds.

 

Photo from "Two Paper Dolls"

National Stationery Show 2012 was another good one, and Paper Passionista has spent all week combing the aisles for "buried treasures". We've had a great time touching base with our current lines, and ordering new offerings from many of them: William Arthur, bt elements, Checkerboard, Designers Fine Press, Spark Letterpress Love, and AR-EN Party Printers. Then each year we also make some new finds, and this year was no exception. Be on the lookout for the arrival of new launches from our current lines, and the introduction of two new lines, Two Paper Dolls letterpress wedding invitations, and Jenn Sprinkle digital wedding and party invitations. These new discoveries will arrive over the next few months, and we'll keep you posted when they get here.

Paper Passionista is heading to the National Stationery Show in New York. Any shopping requests?

The National Stationery Show, New York, NY

Paper Passionista has one drug of choice: STATIONERY!!!  And this coming weekend is when we make our annual trek to New York, NY for the National Stationery Show (NSS) where the "buys" happen.  For the sixteenth year in a row we will be combing the aisles of the Javits Convention Center for three full days at this wonderful trade show.  800 different booths will be available for stationers from all over the world (over 11,000 in attendance) to peruse and purchase fabulous finds to share with their clients back home. PURE STATIONERY HEAVEN!!!!

I'll be blogging from the show, connecting with friends from around the country, including Elaine Barker of Paper Potpourri in Haverhill, MA, Brian Lawrence of Local Traffic Builder (formerly of Encore Studios), New Jersey, Melinda and David Morris of Lion in the Sun, Brooklyn, NY (Park Slope), our newest industry friend, Amy Tan of Tree Space Studio, Sherman Oaks, CA, and of course shopping for new line treasures to bring on board with Paper Passionista.  Each year brings some special new finds that you don't run into anywhere else, and for smaller "boutique" lines you have to jump at the chance because with the expense involved to be in the show there's never a guarantee the same vendors will be back the following year - last year's wonderful small lines we added that won't be there this year included Plum Blossom Press of Staten Island, NY, and Alice Louise Press of NW Ohio, so we're thankful we go every year so we don't miss the chance to catch these one-time-only opportunities. 

We also look forward to visiting our friends in booths of some of our lines which make regular or repeat appearances at the show, including William Arthur, bt elements, Designers Fine Press, Elum, Smock, Bella Figura, Marsupial, Checkerboard, Spark Letterpress Love, and Oblation.  This is our once a year opportunity to check in face-to-face with the great allies we work closely with all year long, but only get to see once a year.  We also get to see our friendly wholesale printers, Laura Marr Printing, and thank them for the great work they do for us all year on our custom designs, including our brand new Paper Passionista letterpress business cards.  Since I'm a member of the editorial advisory board for Stationery Trends magazine, I also look forward to seeing and visiting with Sarah Schwartz, editor of the magazine. NSS is just like a really big "family reunion" where you welcome new family members, and miss the ones who couldn't attend!

If you are looking for something special in the stationery world, whether you're a bride or social event host, and want us to be on the lookout for just the right thing for your special occasion please let us know your wish list.  And if you're a stationery or event industry colleague and just can't make it to the show we're happy to pick up catalogs or anything else you want us to keep an eye out for. Just think of us as your stationery personal shopper.  Stay tuned for more details next week as we experience the "highs" from National Stationery Show!

Palisade Wedding Open House was a great stage for Paper Passionista to show the latest in reception tabletop paper trends

Beautiful weather combined with a scenic setting made Palisade the best place to be on April 28, 2012

Palisade Restaurant's Alani room was all decked out this past Sunday afternoon, with seven different tablescapes to get brides' creative juices flowing.  This Bridal Open House event, hosted by Robin Schauer and her team at Palisade, and masterfully designed by Katy Griffiths of VOWS Wedding and Event Planning was where we had a chance to visit with lots of fun couples working on plans for their upcoming weddings.  With centerpieces created by Aria Style, chair covers and linens provided by Cort, and paper goods by Paper Passionista, each of the tables gave a different spin to wedding style.  Thanks to Azzura Photography we have some photos to show some of the different paper creations we provided for the themes and schemes on the tables.  There was much more to the day than our paper focus will show you, so for more highlights be sure and visit the Palisade Facebook page.

Inside the Alani Room, a great setting at Palisade for small wedding receptions or rehearsal dinners

Fresh and green was the theme for this natural tablescape, featuring menu card and place cards by Alice Louise Press

Black and white with splashes of yellow and pink were right on-trend, according to the latest issue of Stationery Trends magazine, which actually featured this Umi placecard ensemble on their cover.  The menu card was from the Dauphine Press line of exquisite paper goods.

Another up-close shot of the Dauphine Press menu card with Aria Style's beautiful yellow tulips as the back-drop

Dauphine Press provided this menu card for the classic silver formal table scape

Purple was the theme for this table featuring paper goods from Umi by Elum

Another close-up shot of the Umi place card, with Aria Style's purple florals as the back-drop

This elegant menu card from Designers Fine Press was featured at the gold elegance table

This beautiful peony themed menu card from Umi looked tailor-made to coordinate with Aria Style's centerpiece

This cute paper collection by Umi shows red and aqua paired for a playful spin on paper goods. This one would be so perfect for elementary school teachers tying the knot!

Another shot, closeup, of the precious Umi menu card at the fun red and aqua table

Our hosts for the day, the super staff at Palisade Restaurant

What was not to love about a gorgeous day spent along side Elliott Bay Marina, looking back at a view of the City?!?

A wonderful time was had by all, and thank you to Palisade Restaurant for hosting such a fun event.  I also want to thank calligrapher extraordinaire, Kelli Reiter of Kelligraphy, for providing the personalizations on all of the place cards for the event tables. Her skills never cease to amaze me!

Dauphine Press wishes Paper Passionista's clients a Happy May Day with a great offer!

We just received the following amazing offer from our wonderful letterpress invitation line, Dauphine Press, with a super offer.  Here are the details:

Spring is in full swing and we're celebrating by offering our best promotion ever!

For the first time, we're offering 30 free wedding invitation sets 

with every order of 100 or more!

Order 100 or more letterpress and/or foil stamped wedding elements (save the dates, invitations, response cards, note cards, menus, etc.) and receive 30 free! 

THE DETAILS:

Dealers must note promo code on order form: DAU302012

Cannot be applied to orders already in progress

Available on Custom Wedding Portfolio orders

When 100 elements are ordered, you will receive 130

Envelope liners and embellishments not included

Offer valid through May 31, 2012

Call Paper Passionista at 206.909.9567 to set up your appointment this month and take advantage of this amazing offer!