An Update…With More to Come

I’ve been lagging in my blogging. It sucks. It’s unfair. Not only is it unfair to you, my little tribe of awesome readers, but to me. I haven’t been writing period. Yes, I’ve written a few cards to people here and there, but I haven’t really been writing. I’m not even attempting to apologize here. I’m just explaining that while I started out writing with a vengeance, I stopped with a vengeance as well. However, things have a way of changing…

Today, I posted my first non-personal blog in a long time. Since last year, actually. I’ve been meaning (and wanting) to write more for blogs about sustainability and environmental concerns and just haven’t had the time. Or maybe the motivation. Or maybe just both. As much as I’ve enjoyed writing these posts, they require time and I just haven’t had time. I feel like I haven’t had time to sleep, which is odd, but adding one more thing to the list of things to do, just wasn’t fun.

It also doesn’t help that I’ve moved to New Jersey, am living with a friend, don’t have a car yet, and just started a job. I’m a month into the gig and it’s moving. It is nice to be in the working world again and to have money, but honestly, all I can think about is Japan, stationery projects, a guy, and traveling more. At the same time, I am longingly looking at every West Elm catalog that comes contemplating how I am going to decorate (on a budget and with second hand and upcycled items). I’m excited by the prospect of having a corner with a work table that is all stationery.  And yet, I still wonder, is this it? It’s funny how life does that to you, isn’t it? But I know I’m on the right path…that I’m where I am supposed to be right now. The signs keep telling me so. So I’ve just got to have a bit of patience and continued faith. Easier said than done with your Sara “impatient” Stroman, but I’ll survive. I am grateful for every day that goes by and for all the opportunities that keep presenting themselves.

And so where does that leave me, well it leaves me wandering in this life that’s mine, but it also means that I am living and active and breathing. It means that while I haven’t been sharing as of late, I am enjoying life.

I’ll be posting a bit more regularly, especially as S2 Stationery and Design takes shape and picks up. I’ve gotten quite a few orders lately and have been busy, busy, busy with all exciting stuff! I’ve designed a graduate school graduation announcement, a stationery set for a teen, I did my first foiled invitation, worked with a couple on a Save the Date announcement, am designing a 21st birthday card for a friend’s daughter, am working on a birth announcement, and have two new ideas for cards in the pipeline to be released this summer, as well as a membership service, and a photography collection. I started painting with water colors and I’m taking a class on making pop-up cards. More on all of this soon!

Two nights ago, I opened my box of goodies from Japan. I hadn’t seen that stuff since I mailed it to myself at my aunt’s house my last day in Echizen. It made me nostalgic and happy and sad at the same time.  Happy because I did THAT- I went away, I lived abroad briefly, I picked up some Japanese, I was alone- I experienced it, I lived it after planning it and wanting it so badly. Nostalgic because that time was one of the hardest and trying times (I compare it to just after my Dad passed away four years ago), and I found joy and happiness in every moment. Sad because I can never go back to that same point. But I’m so happy that I’m here, where I am, hiding out in New Jersey.

While I was in Echizen, the woman I stayed with told me that she didn’t like that I said, “I understand now that this is where I am supposed to be.” I’ve since realized that she and I do not have the same life philosophy, hence our not getting along in the end, but means exactly what it says, I’ve no doubt that I am where I am supposed to be, growing pains and all. I’ve just got to be patient. Patient. Patient. After all, that is my word for the year.

And so with that, today, I posted an article about the Hello Etsy Conference I attended last month at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY on the Etsy NY Team Blog. It was mind blowing in a good way. As I promised in that blog, I will write more about it here on this blog. It has a lot to do with what I learned while in Japan and I think that’s worth sharing, even if you’re only interested in posts about stationery.

Before signing off, I want to share an article, “Woody Allen, Louis C.K., And The Power Of The Handwritten Note,” I read earlier today that keeps me smiling. It’s about writing and the power of a written note between two well known and comedic artists, Woody Allen + Louis C.K.  As I get ready to mail out thank you cards to friends in Japan, America, Africa, and America, I’m excited to know that Woody Allen and Louis C.K. are fellow members of the writers club.  Are you? If not, I hope you join, soon! (More on that to come!)

So, Um, Why Japan? Or Instead, What Brought Me to Japan

This is the hot post. This is the post that explains what the hell I am doing in a small village on the western coast of Japan.

I hope you all know the story. If you don’t, here’s a quick recap. In 2009, while traveling through Italy a few weeks after my dad passed away, I had a dream where I opened an envelope that was lined with a cool pattern, but never saw the card inside. To be clear, there was a card inside, I just never saw it because I woke up immediately and said, “Holy Shit! This is what I am supposed to be doing with my life!”

By the time I returned to New York City after traveling a bit longer, I had already plotted my path to making this a reality. I can’t quite say that the path has been easy, or that I’ve made millions of dollars because I haven’t. Instead, I’ve made more money each year, but I am not a lucrative business. And that has to change. (Hello, December, month of business planning and development!)

About two years ago now, so just a year after I decided I was going to do this stationery business, I realized that I needed desperately to get out of the life I was living. I hated my full-time job, I cried constantly; I needed something to change and I had no idea what.  During this time, I started applying to jobs and going on interviews, but nothing worked out.

While on a trip visiting a good friend in Cleveland, I bought a coupon on Groupon for discounted language courses. (In my past, I was notorious for signing up for classes on a whim. I’d get bored and take up a new hobby until I felt I had learned enough or experienced all that I was going to experience and moved to the next hobby, or class.)  At the time of purchase, I had no clue what language I would study; I just new it was a good deal and I could stand something new and challenging.

A couple of weeks after buying that coupon, I went into the office of my full-time job and realized I needed to go to Japan. I can’t quite remember the circle of logic there, or what my inspiration was, but I remember thinking, now this all makes sense. It makes sense that I work for a Japanese company for the past three years. It makes sense that I bought language courses when I need to learn some Japanese!

My coworkers helped me look for Japanese Washi Villages and I contacted the person on the other side of the Echizen Washi Village’s English website, Rina.  She detailed the Museum’s program and offered me advice on places to stay, etc.  We emailed back and forth for a while with me saying I am considering coming around this time, only to have them change.

I was set to come last year, in 2011, but the Earthquake and Tsunami that hit Sendai closed that door. My mother, for the first time in her life, asked me not to do something and I acquiesced. It was hard, but I did. It made sense and I realize now that I was not ready to go last year. I was meant to come this year, now.

So what is in Japan?

Japan has a very strong tradition of papermaking. In the village I am currently staying in, it dates back 1500 years!  In other villages, a little bit less time, maybe 1300 years or 800 years, but still the same, these folks have been making paper for a long time.  (A prime example, in Echizen lives one of the “living national treasures of Japan.” His father was also a “living national treasure” when he was alive.  The current treasure is the ninth generation to make paper in his family. His son helps and will take over when his father passes, continuing a long line of family tradition.)

As a designer and artist, I have worked with Japanese paper many times. I am fascinated by it. I love the texture, touch, weight, and smell of each sheet. I also have fallen in love with many designs on these sheets. (Since coming to Echizen, I’ve learned that artists outside of Echizen actually do most designs on the sheets. An artist will purchase Washi to use for designing purposes and then wholesale the sheets to people like me. Some paper studios do offer designed paper that is gorgeous, while others just make plain Washi to sell.)

I realized as I worked on projects that I don’t know how paper is made. (Can you believe that?) I also realized that many people in my industry don’t know how paper is made. It is really easy to call a print shop and say, “I need this printed on a glossy or matte cream 100 pound stock,” without knowing where the paper comes from or how it is made or who made it. I wanted to change that. I wanted to be able to tell my clients, “I know how this paper is made. I’ve seen it. I can do it. This paper and design is more than just a piece of paper!”

Being that I run a business that focuses on creating unique paper-based items for customers, I want that relationship with the paper and the makers of the paper. Furthermore, I love paper so much (I really do!), that I want to know the origins of it.  When I work with a client, I pick papers specific to the customer and to their project. I am a bit obsessed with making sure the paper fits the project. If it doesn’t, I go back to the drawing board.

So this, being in Japan, makes sense. It just does.

I’ve been in Japan for over a month now and I have seen Washi made. I’ve participated in every part of the process and I’ve tried my hand at making Washi. (I’ll provide more details in the coming days.) I’m hardly a pro and I know it will take many, many more days and months and possibly even years to get the skill level that the artisans I have worked with have (they’ve been doing it their entire lives, many of them!), but I know where this tradition began and how important and deep it runs not just to the artists, but to the community and to the country.

So, What’s Next?

Ultimately, I would love to be able to make my own paper. Realistically, at this point, I can’t just go back to America and open a paper studio though. The supplies I need are immense and I would have to raise capital and all that other jazz. In other words, I need to get some things in order personally and financially to be able to do this.

I also want to travel to a few more other countries that make paper – China, India, Italy, France, Thailand, Egypt, and if, at all possible, Iran to learn about the Persian art of paper making – and see their methods and techniques.  I would love to have a solid idea of the global handmade paper making community. It sounds daunting and expensive, but I think it’s worth it. Especially since I use these papers in my own work and because I am so inspired by them.

Realistically, I will figure out a way to stay in touch with the Echizen community, purchase paper from the artisans here, continue to be part of their community and grow my business.  Of course, in my little head the other day, I was walking and thought, “wouldn’t it be great if you opened a shop/studio where you offered custom design, paper making and sold paper from the artists of Echizen? Wouldn’t that be really amazing?!” It would, but right now, it is not happening. That may be down the road in a few years. At least, we’ll make that a goal.

I am leaving Echizen after a month and a half next Friday, November 30th. It’s the day before my 32nd birthday and I will head down to the Osaka area to spend a few days there with two artists before heading back to Kyoto to explore the paper community there and just enjoy the City. I loved it the first time I went two weekends ago for two days. I can’t wait to have a few days there with time to ponder, relax, and do whatever the hell I want at a slower pace. (Note: if you ever travel to Kyoto, you need a week. There is just so much to do and see and is worth the cost.)

From Kyoto, I’ll head back to Tokyo where I will spend my days looking at more paper and traveling to a few areas outside of Tokyo, like Mt. Fuji. (No, I’m not climbing!) The first time I went to Tokyo, I didn’t love it. I spent most of the time sitting on my friend’s couch catching up on my Spanish novela, but I have a feeling that Tokyo this time around is going to be different and a bit more fun.

More importantly, I’ll be able to really think about where I’m headed in 2013 and understand what I want of myself as an entrepreneur and business owner.
 

Meeting Gina Mulligan of Girls Love Mail

Several Sundays ago, May 20th, I attended the National Stationery Show (post to come soon!) as a guest. I was Gina Mulligan’s guest and it was and she is awesome!

Me and Gina Mulligan.

For those of you who haven’t read my blog and don’t know what the big deal is about Gina and I meeting a few weeks ago, let me explain.

My relationship with Gina starts with the social network site Twitter. Yes, Twitter.

I don’t remember the specifics, but I somehow got wind of her and her non-profit Girls Love Mail, an organization seeking handwritten letters for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, via a tweet that I saw and I contacted her immediately. Our brief exchange of tweets led way to longish emails talking about our respective projects and ways we could work together. They also included stories being shared – I shared with her my stories about my grandmother’s death from breast cancer and my father’s recent death and my subsequent dream and business and she shared with me her own story of being diagnosed with cancer and receiving letters as she wrote her book. We were both moved to start a collaboration and well, a relationship was born!

Meeting Gina in person for the Stationery Show was incredible.  Prior to last month, Gina and I had only corresponded via email, twitter and mail (she baked cookies and sent me some at Christmas!).  While I had no worries about whether we would get along or not upon meeting, I was definitely curious to meet the woman I had spent a few hours corresponding with. We were modern day pen pals! As I knew she would be, Gina turned out to be such an amazing person-kind and goodhearted and as I told her many, times, I thank Twitter for our meeting.

Social media is a great and useful tool, but too often we reach out and talk to people, but don’t make real connections. Meeting Gina was a moment where the power of social media merged with real life. Social media can be a huge soul sucking waste if all you’re doing is looking at people’s profiles instead of living your life, but it can also be an amazing instrument in bridging gaps and spaces that you might have never otherwise known.

See, I had been itching to volunteer with a breast cancer organization that is not the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. I’m not badmouthing Komen at all. They are a great organization and have done so much in the fight against breast cancer. In fact, I used to donate and run the Race for the Cure in Washington, DC in honor of my grandmother who passed away from the disease in 1992. I no longer do and it’s not because of the issue they had with Planned Parenthood earlier this year. No, I stopped because I worked for a cancer non-profit in my 20s and I saw the mismanagement of funds and started questioning what would happen if a cure for cancer in general was found. What would organizations like my old employer and Komen would do? They operate like corporations and are constantly after money, so what would their next steps be?

I don’t want anyone to think that I have a distrust for all non-profits, because I don’t. As a matter of fact, between 2006 and 2011, I ran four marathons and raised money for blood cancers through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society ‘s Team in Training program, but looked into their spending before committing to raising money. Having relationships with children and adults who have benefited from LLS definitely made that connection stronger and more visible. I know the same can be said for Komen, but something about them and I just didn’t match several years ago and I’ve since moved away from supporting their organization personally.

Having said that, Gina does work with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, but her organization does so much more and because of that, I feel like I’m more connected to breast cancer patients and the cause. The letters written to her organization go into the hands of women who need the positive energy that comes from written words and from knowing that someone, a stranger, is supporting them through a tough time in their life.  This is why I love Girls Love Mail and why I am so honored to have partnered with Gina when she first started the organization and to have a relationship with her. Her husband, by-the-way, is pretty awesome, too!

Again, I am so grateful to Twitter and for timing being on my side. (I don’t spend all day on Twitter, so having seen the tweet about her was good timing in deed!)  I also also grateful to the National Stationery Show for being held in New York City – it brought me and Gina, who lives in California, together for a few days and it was wonderful!

I encourage everyone to sign up to write a letter. The stationery sheet that you can download when you sign up was designed by me specifically for Girls Love Mail.What are you waiting for? Go write a letter! Bring a smile to a woman’s face.  I’m sure you’ll be smiling as well.

Oh, and Gina, if you read this post, THANK YOU! You are one rocking woman!

Merchandising For And A Recap of Brooklyn Flea Williamsburg

Today was my first attempt at selling at Brooklyn Flea and it was amazing!

Yes, it did rain and I had to pack it up two hours before the end of the day, BUT it was still spectacular!

First, a pal of mine that lives in the neighborhood came out with his two little ones to say hi. He is a great photographer and has been trying to talk to me about a branding project, so it was good to get face-to-face and chat a bit about things. I’m excited for the project, actually and I’m honored that he came by! Plus, his kids, ages four and two, are super cute and they put smiles on my face.

Second, my cousin came by at the right time. She ended up helping me pack up just before the storm came and dash to cover as the rain beat down on us. Then she helped me get into a cab. Solid, that one is. Solid.

Third, I had three sales. While that’s hardly monumental, they were substantial and led way to a day peppered with many compliments and kind words. Two of the customers signed up for my newsletter and took my card. It was also nice to see people interested in my stuff and responsive to my products. I’ve said this before, but we all need validation. These markets validate my business and keep me designing and creating.

Four,  I was able to test out a new display. I am super excited about this because two weeks ago when I did the Spring Crafts in Chelsea Market (I have an update coming!), I realized that my tabling display was not good. It totally screamed amateur, which is fine, I was an amateur when I put that little ensemble together, but after a few markets under my belt, it was time to create something a bit more visually appealing.

I credit the 2012 National Stationery Show for this. See, May 20th, the day after Crafts in Chelsea, I attended the National Stationery Show (an update coming this week, too!) and was awed by the booths, in both an environmentally unsavory way and a design savory way (I’ll explain more in my full post).  I couldn’t believe the work and time and effort that went into each booth. What’s more, I couldn’t believe the stories that each booth presented. Not just stories about the products, but of the owners and designers. They projected on to the buyers, press, stationery lovers, and anyone else walking through the aisles what you were supposed to see and feel from their products.

So I decided that I needed to create my in-person market story. I needed to figure out what I wanted people to think and feel when they came to my table.

My idea came quickly and was inspired by not just myself, but the things that I love – writing and traveling.  My idea came to fruition with the help of some Etsy vintage and crafts sellers.

What I decided, and what I now need to work into my elevator pitch, is that my stationery is inspired by my curiosity for the world at large, as well as the people who reside in the world and is in want of writers.

That’s right, my stationery WANTS good writers. 

My stationery is not nostalgic, nor is it reminiscent of an old art, but is the future for good and curious writers who travel the world.

As you can guess, I had to show that in my merchandising efforts and I did. I missed a few pieces here and there, but over all, my set up was pretty and helped draw your eyes to the table. It also helped that an item not for sale, kept bringing people to the table as well (my metal wire globe from South Africa).

The items that I bought to help make this display come about are listed below, along with the wonderful (they were ALL nice and courteous) seller’s Etsy shop linked:

Glass and Cork Jar – Kibster Vintage – I put un-sharpened #2  pencils in it

Mini Moss Terrarium in Graduated Glass Beaker - Vertegris (not vintage) – in the tray

Chalkboard clothespins - TodoPapel (not vintage) – in one basket with “Sale” chalked on it

Vintage 1981 World & Ocean Floor Map by National Geographic - wanderlustmaps – Map on table

Vintage rectangular berry baskets set of five – Littlepart – Berry baskets that stationery is in toward back edge of table

Plans For Global Domination Hand Stamped Spiral Notebook Journal – BrownBooks – Mailing list sign up book

Vintage Skirt Hanger Repurpose as an Organizer – Children’s Room Decor, Photo Holder, Desk Organizer - WestTexasVintage- Hanging display for New New York Graffiti Save-the-Date Postcards

Napkin Holder – Victorian Brass Filigree - TheVintageParlor- In the first round of the day, it held the Bridal Shower invitations, but I changed it to hold the mustache cards instead. It is a lovely piece!

Antique test tube wood rack - AM Radio – It is the piece to the right of the table in front of my water and coffee containers that has pencils sticking out of it and has the blue mustache cards in front of (that got changed later in the day). This is the only piece that will look differently the next time I do Brooklyn Flea,  I should have the items that help pull everything together even more.

You can see all of the pieces mentioned in the photos below.

Above you can also see how I put everything together.

It’s hard to imagine how something will look when it’s just in pieces. And honestly, I had no real idea of how I was going to put these all together, I just had a hope that they would work nicely combined. I’m pleased to say they did and that my traveling writer theme with a few minor tweaks is close to being eye candy for the stationery lovers out there, looking to buy some quality hand-made stationery.

I have one more day scheduled for Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene, Brooklyn this month and then we’ll see how it goes. Whether I want to try and schedule a few more dates in July and August.

Selling at markets is hard. It takes energy (I woke up at 5ish today to get ready), strength (I don’t have a table and chair of my own, but I had to haul everything to the corner to catch a cab and this is heavy stuff!), money (cabs, food, supplies, etc both beforehand and day of), and patience and good attitude (you stand in the sun and rain talking to people, sharing stories and engaging). It’s hard work and yet it is so worth it.  I truly felt like not only had I found my business identity, but that I had also found the people who are interested in my products and that makes me ready for another day of rain or shine just to get my products into the hands of the customers it seeks.

I can’t wait for the next Brooklyn Flea!

More recaps coming this week. Happy days!

Charitable Giving

Yesterday, I gave money away.I donated money, I mean. I don’t want you to think I just reached into my pockets and threw money in the air because I didn’t. Instead, I did some strategic donating, both personally and in the name of S2 Stationery and Design and added a little help from my 9-to-5′s Matching Gift Program.

One of the greatest perks of my 9-to-5 is our corporate matching gift program. The company will donate up to double the amount you donate until you reach their maximum allowance of $1000. Incredibly generous and it has quite honestly helped every organization I’ve donated to in the past four and a half years. Which is why I’ve matched every donation I’ve made personally since January. Of course, I wasn’t expect to be leaving the company until after my five year anniversary, which means I would have spaced out my donations better, but now that I’m leaving, I’m making sure that my donations made up until my last day of work are counted.

I have always been a generously inclined person. I have also always been a community activist through volunteerism. When I was in High School I volunteered and as an adult, I still volunteer. I’ve read books with children during my lunch break, painted and organized countless schools, cleaned up parks, organized food drives, collected clothing, etc. I strongly believe that my belief in doing this comes from my Mother. The woman will feed the hungry with her last can of beans. I’m not exaggerating. Even when she doesn’t have, she finds a way. What I distinctively remember about my mom is when, as a kid, she would box up mine and my brother’s old clothes along with hers and any other items she could scrounge up (all in good shape) and mail them (by boat-it was the cheapest) to our poor family in Honduras. Watching her do this every Christmas until she got older and family members passed away, really got under my skin. Not only was this family, this was life- she was helping those unfortunate and it shaped me forever.

Having worked in a corporate environment for all these years and believing so ardently in volunteerism and helping those in need, when I started building S2 Stationery and Design, I knew that I had to have giving and volunteering not just in a mission statement, but in the core of my company.  So many companies simply create Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and throw in a mission that reflects it and all the while never really do much to make a difference. That was where S2 would not go wrong.

In 2009 when I had my dream of stationery, it was based in the idea of creating eco-friendly and largely recycled products.  Of course, I’ve learned along the way that there is still energy that gets burned and plastic that my products come in, even if I don’t then wrap the items in plastic after. Then there is the gas from shipping the products around the world. In other words, it takes a lot to maintain a green company and while I’m trying and making continued attempts that will hopefully last long term, I also realized that I needed to work with organizations that are also doing their best to make a difference.

Now, in light of recent events involving an organization who used social media to fuel fire to a cause that while important, may not be the most relevant at this time, and keeping in mind my own opinions of non-profits (having worked for several in my past), I decided to do several months of research and to trust my good ole gut.

When I first started thinking about organizations to partner with, I focused on tree planting organizations. Since my main material is paper, I wanted to make sure I helped rebuild the tree population. I think in the end, I stuck with the idea of tree planting, but went a bit deeper in donating to organizations really trying to make an impact. Just yesterday, I donated $25 a piece to Trees For the Future, Kiva, and The Pachamama Alliance.

The Kiva donation actually is for a microloan to Por Un Futuro Mejor (Paute) Group in Paute, Ecuador, who run stationery shops to make a living. Naturally, I chose it due to it’s paper connection, but also the connection to Ruth, the woman who runs a stationery store and wants to expand her business, “Ruth’s goal is to expand her business and provide for her family.”. How is she any different from me?

The decision behind Pachamama Alliance, is really more out of a personal love for the Amazon and Rain Forest. I have loved everything about the Amazon since I was a little girl. To me, it defines everything great and amazing about our planet. It holds the mysteries of the earth, like the Ocean. It is intimidating and yet generous. I hope to one day go to the Amazon, maybe through one of the Pachamama Alliance’s trips. Either way, I’ve gotten away from my point here. The connection between Pachamama Alliance and S2 is trees. I believe the trees of the Amazon are some of the greatest and most powerful in the world. Not only do they protect the people, but the way of the Earth and they need to be protected.

Lastly, my donation to Trees For the Future, was based on their commitment to sustainable agroforestry, working across the globe, especially in countries like Haiti, which lack tree communities, and they plant trees. I recall two years ago, when the earthquake struck Haiti reading about and viewing photos showing the lack of trees in Haiti. I remembered feeling sad and thinking how different the country might be with trees. That came to mind when I clicked donate last night.

Now, before I clicked send, I checked the ratings of each organization on Charity Navigator and even read comments by other donors. While they did help me make a donation, they also helped me expand my scope of searching. Again, I really wanted to find organizations that reflected my beliefs and that really focused on sustainable education, protection, and project development.

I owe all of this with great thanks to Heifer International, who I was going to donate to after receiving their catalog last December.  See,  I immediately got caught up in the glossy pictures and the donation price for providing tree seedlings to help families in Tanzania to control erosion on their hillside gardens. I mean, how awesome would it be to say I donated $60 to Heifer International and in turn helped a family in Tanzania control erosion? Mind you, I think this is an important issue and it fits perfectly with my goals for S2 Stationery and Design, but I wasn’t sold on Heifer International. The reviews and their rating did lead me in a confident direction either. In fact, it made me look at other organizations and that’s how I found Kiva, Trees For the Future and The Pachamama Alliance.

I hope to donate down the line to Heifer International, but for now, I’m sticking with my three and thanks to my 9-to-5′s help, my donations are larger, more considerable donations. They’re donations that will help loan more money to more women around the world, or plant more trees, and protect the Amazon.

Giving is something that is important to me, but it’s not just giving money that counts. Making time to consider these matters and instilling them into my company and personal lifestyle counts more. Sometimes money isn’t even an option- it’s why I only donated $75 so far instead of 10% of my income last year. I will get there, by the way, to maybe even 20% of my income, but for now, $75 will have to do.

Oh, and about that matching gift program- while I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to create a matching gift program similar to the one I have had the great pleasure of using for 4+ years, I do know that it has shaped how I will create my social responsibility program for my future employees. Score for the corporate world!

I’m not sharing this as a way to wave the flag of “do-gooder Sara” but instead to discuss how important it is to give back to the planet and the communities that give us so much, including opportunities. I’m sure you’re scratching your head wondering how women in Ecuador are giving me the opportunity to have a stationery company, but the simple truth is that everything touches everything. My energy here in NY impacts the lives of individuals around the world. It’s in the impressions I’ve made while traveling, to my decision to not use a water bottle that may end up floating around the ocean and landing on the beaches of Thailand. I don’t meant to get heavy philosophical here, I just believe that we are all capable of doing amazingly good and powerful things if we opened our eyes to the vastness of the world and our reach.

If you’re giving and being charitable, I’d love to hear about it; you can share your thoughts below.

Cold Shower, Anybody? Or Managing Expectations and Reality

***Disclaimer- I am not trying to be a negative Nancy in this post, swear. ***

This morning I learned that the stationery shop in Frederick, MD that I have been in contact with since 2010 is closing.  The reason being that business has been slow and financially the owner can no longer keep the shop running. She intends to still do stationery and invitations, just not have a shop with inventory and overhead.

Now, I’m ecstatic that she is going to continue to do invitations and stationery sales, but I’m sad that her shop will cease to exist after April. I’m even more sad because she was the shop I was intending to send my invitation look book to as my way into the realm of not-so-custom, but different and easy to assemble invitations that shops could carry, wouldn’t cost a ton and would hopefully generate steady business.

Knowing that she will remain in the stationery business is great and I am happy to hear that, but I was bummed to hear about her shop. It is cute and small and inspirational to designers like me.

When I first heard the news, I was immediately sad. I mean, if shops like her’s close, then what are the chances that someone like me, or any other stationer for that matter, stand a chance in getting our products out there to the writers and stationery lovers that are in need?

I love the window that the internet and Etsy have opened for vendors and artists to sell online at a minimal cost and without serious overhead, but part of the appeal of shopping is picking things up and touching them. I’ve had several customers tell me they like seeing my products in person before buying. Okay. Maybe I need to take better pictures, but honestly when it comes to paper crafted items, real touch wins out always.

What hit me the hardest was realizing my high expectations. Never in the almost two years since I met her, did I think her store would close. In my little head, I thought oh, no worries, her store will be around and she’ll be a great contact for me as I grow. Now, however, reality has hit.

As I stood in my room this morning, I looked at my look book and all the pieces I have in various places around my room and wondered if what I am doing is in vain?

Yes, there are people who still use paper and who love my work, but isn’t that just going to stop one day? I just read an article a few weeks ago about how handwritten signatures don’t even matter any more, it’s the pin number you select that does.  By the way, I am not against technology or advancements in it, but I am against people not using their brain or losing a sense of who they are as individuals.

I know you’re going to say, but Sara, you’re following your dream and you’re creating things people like and you want to save the world. And while, yes, these are all true and following my dream is the biggest aspect of this all, what if I’m following it to only follow it. What if I end up homeless living under the Brooklyn Bridge, like my Mother used to threaten us with as children?

I truly believe that paper is the way for me. Actually, I have no doubt of this. Communication is my calling and providing the means to communicate is the solution, BUT if I can’t sell the products that make me happy, if there’s barely a market for them, then why am I so adamant about doing this?

Normally, when I don’t like something, but I’ve accepted the reality of the situation, I move on. In order to move on, I often times just stop giving the person/thing/issue any attention. Once that happens, I’m free to move in any direction, and I won’t be angry with the fact that the person/thing/issue doesn’t meet my expectations or desires.  To some this may not be the healthiest way to handle my feelings, but it has worked and it has helped me out quite a bit. The only thing here is that this is not a person/thing/issue, it is my passion, belief, and calling. It is as much of me as my hair and my glasses and my heart.

I’ve learned that I have high expectations of every one and even situations and that ultimately they are unfair to me because I end up angry and hurt and upset when the person/thing doesn’t meet them. On the other hand, the person/thing isn’t aware that they were expected to meet a standard to begin with and often times they don’t (or never did) have it in them to meet those standards. Yes, they may suffer, too, when I decide that I can’t deal with them, or want to be friends with them, or leave, but in the end, I’m the one who ends up dealing with the stress and the frustration while the other person goes on unaware.

And that is what I realized, I need to manage my expectations better not just of others and situations, but for myself.  I am still going to push through with my look book (as a matter of fact, I had some friends suggest places to send the look book to) in the time line I created for myself. For the sake of creativity, sanity, and business development, I must, but I also have to look at the business model I am developing and look at the longer term picture.

In other words, how am I and the expectations I have for myself going to change to grow this business differently? So that in the face of disappointment, I pick myself up, dust my leggings off, and keep moving?

Much like I have realized that I either like things, or I don’t and it is okay to have these feelings and to adjust my expectations appropriately, I have to adjust my expectations of our technology driven world and the fact that I never decided to go into stationery to amass a small fortune, but enough to live comfortably through my living years.

I’m sure I’ve discussed this at length before today, but I was faced with looking in the mirror when I read the news about this shop. Please know that I am not quitting or stopping myself from following my dream and passion, I just sort of need to get my plan tweaked and ready to go.  I can’t thank the stationery shop for teaching me this extremely important lesson.

Book Binding; Book Making; I’m Making A Book!

I have been trying to wait out writing this particular posting, but today decided to hell with it; I can’t wait another minute! I’ll just write another one when I get the goods. So here goes…

It was the summer of 1999. My Freshman year at the George Washington University had just ended and I went home to Cleveland, Ohio to well, do nothing, but see friends and work at the Papyrus at Beachwood Mall. It was that summer that I decided I was going to MAKE a real scrap book. One that included cardboard and wrapping paper and tie it together with ribbon.

I had never made a book before. Well, I’m not including the make your own story book in the fourth grade where I used construction paper, glue and printing paper to draw pictures on.

This was a REAL book and I was going to somehow bind the book together with Organza ribbon and a needle.

I don’t remember all the details of making this book, now, 12 years later, but over the Christmas holiday, I found the scrap book sitting in a bin of my books and I immediately felt at peace.  You know that feeling when you just know that what you’re doing is so right? Or in the words of my aunt over the weekend, as told to me by mother, “Your daughter has been making cards since she was a little girl.” My aunt sent me a text message over the weekend telling me she found a card I had made in the 80s. I was probably five or six years old at the time.  I have asked for a picture and am waiting. When I get it, I will share.

I don’t know what possessed me at the time, but I did not take pictures nor did I bring the book back with me to NYC. And so, much like the card my aunt texted me about, I am waiting for my mom to mail me the book. Which means, you all have to wait to see what I’m talking about. Sorry!

More importantly, what really struck me about the book was that for someone who had never made a book before, it is pretty. It’s nice. It doesn’t look like a professional made it, but it doesn’t look like a hobbiest did either. Maybe I’m just biased. You’ll see when I post photos.

Anyhow, I share this story about book making and binding because I decided to make my first ever “look book” this year. 

What is a “look book”?

Well, it’s not a portfolio and it most definitely is not a scrap book. It is a booklet that I’m making to send to a stationery shop in MD that I’d like to sell my invitations.  You know exactly what I’m talking about – the books you flip through when you got to Papyrus or any other large stationery store to buy invitations.   The thing is, my book, won’t be a binder, will be hand made, and will have limited options. There will be one for stationery and one for invitations.  There may actually be many for invitations, but at this point, there will only be one for weddings.

By limited options, I am going to offer invitations with the following options:

• hand made paper (from around the world) for envelope linings, back grounds, booklets, covers, and wraps.
• A series of fonts customers can choose from
• Pricing for additional pieces like RSVP, accommodation, and direction cards.

Customers who want personalized and custom designs can still contact me, but they will have to pay a different rate for that process. With this “look book”, customers are limited to what is offered in the book. There won’t be any custom design fees, just a simple layout charge and then the price for supplies, printing, and assembly work done by me.  Awesome, si?

I am so excited about this. So very excited! And mostly excited because last night and this morning, I sat on my floor with my cardboard box and started making my book. It has three sides with the left and right sides collapsing on top of each other. I’ve added some ribbon and I’m using my gorgeous and expensive paper that I bought in Paris last spring.  As I sat covered in pulp and glue this morning, I laughed at how it has taken me a year to make this happen and yet, it is happening.

This morning, I also noted how back in my high school days, I had wanted to take an art class called “Book Binding”. The course got canceled and I was put into ceramics, which I loved, but I wonder how might my life be different now if I had actually be able to take the book binding course. Would I have gone to art school instead?

Wondering about the past is of course futile, I am where I am for a reason and I am happy, but there is just something about making a book that makes me think about who I was 12 and 15 years ago.  A girl with no idea that this would end up being her life passion.

Anyhow, I’m sharing some early stage photos of my “look book” process. Please know that I’m hardly a book binding/making professional. I am working based on my intuition, design knowledge, and from watching my mom sew things as a child.  I hope that one day I can take some book making/binding classes and learn the techniques and skills behind the crafts. But as I know all too well, sometimes you have to take the first steps and well, then everything falls into place.

Ahhhhh, I’m making my second book, ever!  You can expect a follow up with finished result photos and photos of the first book sometime in the next three or four weeks.

Any types, or comments you may have about book making or binding, please leave below.

National Letter Writing Week

Readers, did you know that this week is National Letter Writing Week?

No.

Okay.

I didn’t either.

I only found out thanks to some stationery businesses, fans, and friends on Twitter.   And now, you know, too. Hooray! We’re all a bit educated on this gorgeous Tuesday afternoon.

The history of National Letter Writing Week is pretty simple – It occurs the second week in January. That’s it.  I have no idea who started it, where it came from, nothing.

What I can say is, grab those pens and a sheet of paper and start writing. You should be writing every once in a while to begin with, but most definitely now, this week, during letter writing week. I can’t think of a better way to help the post office even.

I’ve got my three cards, stamps, and pen ready:

If you write one letter, or even a few during National Letter Writing Week, send me a photo at saras [at] s2stationery [dot] com, or leave a comment below. I’ll share responses next week in a new post.

Happy writing!

 

Stationery IS Interactive

Back in October, I attended a free networking session at the W Hotel at Union Square sponsored by Inc., Magazine. I met some lovely ladies, all of whom I need to touch base with, who work for The New York Enterprise Report. While we talked, one of them gave me a free copy of the October issue of the magazine and told me I could stop reading all I was reading and just focus on their publication.  I think it’s a great pub and I intend to rotate it through with my other subscriptions, even though I feel like I being swallowed whole by magazines.

The main article in that issue is titled, “Why Paperless Post Will Put Evite and Hallmark Out Of Business” and so I knew I immediately had to read this publication.  I’m glad I did because it gave me some perspective on my online “competitor” if I’m even going to consider them my “competitor”. For all purposes, they are competition. They are offering a product that I offer, except online. And they’ve been successful. BUT, I don’t consider them my competition because they’re not creating something tangible. They are creating something electronically that while awesome to receive and play with initially doesn’t, at least in my opinion leave a lasting impression.

Why? Well because I’m not touching it. As I can tell you from experience just even making plans online, I forget. If it’s not written down on a piece of paper that I can hold on to, I’m not going to remember it.

Now, I am by no means about to launch in a bashing of Paperless Post. After all, I’m a girl who once used “Evite” quite regularly and enjoyed it. I loved having a reason to send an “Evite”.  As is the nature of any business, competition sprung and well, lets face it, Paperless Post is pretty sleek and cool.  Another company offering similar services is Cocodot, which I just noticed has changed quite a bit, they are now selling goods as well as online and printed invitations, greeting and stationery.

This doesn’t even begin to cover all the other stationery lines being introduced daily. Now, David’s Bridal, Bed, Bath & Beyond is offering you invitation services, as is Michael’s, the craft shop, called MiDesign. Kudos for them for offering a service that helps expand their business, but isn’t that just the problem? They are venturing into an area of service that isn’t their specialty. Sure they may have designers that create these cards, but what is the value aside from cheap invitations for people looking for a bargain? Maybe that’s the value-bargain invitations. Which I don’t consider my competition.

These mass produced, printed in China, companies, is what helps makes businesses like Paperless Post, Cocodot, and heck, even boutique stationery companies like me exist. But the stationery and design industry has become over-saturated and it kind of makes me uncomfortable.

But lets get back to Paperless Post, because I want to address a comment that Alexa Hirschfeld made about stationery in one of her answers. She said, “It’s what stationery would have been if it could have been interactive.”

Um, I’m confused. Because stationery is interactive. When you receive an envelope in the mail with a card, note, invitation, or anything else that may be involved, you are interacting with the piece. The minute you slide said object out of the envelope, you are interacting again with the piece. And then, when you touch, read, slide the ribbon, touch the embossed or letter pressed graphic or words, you are interacting with the item. Oh and then if you RSVP via phone, text, email, mail, however it is designated on the invite, guess what? You not only interacted, but you ENGAGED!

Electronic stationery is only interactive if it allows for the tools of interaction and engagement that you see so often.  Some of the electronic cards I can remember loving in the past are those that included moving animation and songs. Seriously. Those cards did not require anything else. They ended, I smiled and then they got deleted or moved in a folder, never to be seen again.  Which is why there is still a dependence on a persons response to the invitation or note whether it be paper and pen, or screen, keyboard and mouse. Again, we’re leaving the process up the individuals receiving the document and that is where the problems lie.

I know I’ve heard countless stories of brides who have had to stalk guests for their RSVP cards for traditional paper wedding invitations, as much as general people inviting guests to events with electronic invitations. Yes, there is the initial mail receiving excitement, but the fact remains that at some point the novelty wears off. So the greater issue here is not that stationery is not interactive, but that our attention spans dwindle after a period of time and how do you capture that once it’s gone?

I think it’s almost easier for someone like me, who designs with actual materials to focus on capturing that attention because I have a tangible good. Once someone deletes an email or ecard or evite, it’s gone to trash. Sure you can log into your account, if you created one, and find it again, but why would you?

I think more importantly, what really makes interactive stationery is how that stationery made you feel at the time that you opened it. Did it really capture you? Did it make you feel happy? Sad? (I should hope stationery doesn’t make you feel sad, but anything is possible.) Full of joy? Excited?

I am a paper love. Obviously. It’s why I work with the tools I work with. But I know that I have cards, invitations and stationery pieces that have made me happy in receiving them. I touch the cards, I reread them often, I really value them.  I’m not saying that I don’t value something like Paperless Post, because I think they’ve got a great idea and heck, they offer lining your fake electronic email and charging you for that, genius! But I, the designer, am more inclined to find my own paper, line my own envelopes by hand and create my own breath-taking, feeling inspiring stationery piece and using the good old postal service to spread joy.  Oh, another way my stationery had just interacted with a person. Awesome.

For all you stationery designers out there, don’t let the digital world stop you. There’s a place for us all in this over-saturated market. The real way to succeed is to believe.  So get out there and interact!

For those of you who want to send something out electronically that is nice and warms the heart, give Paperless Post a whirl. It’s incredibly easy to use and their designs and concepts are cute.  Just know that I don’t think your using Paperless Post is going to put Hallmark out of business, maybe Evite, but not Hallmark, at least any time soon.

On Advice and Pricing

Several years ago I learned an important lesson - Only give advice to those who ask for it when they ask for it. 

Don’t give it to them before they ask.  And don’t give it to them without their asking. Seriously. It will only do more harm then good.

Now, how did I go about learning this? Well, rather simple really, I gave one too many opinions freely and then saw that people weren’t listening. It was the ah ha moment where I realized, people need to learn their own lessons whether you want to stop them from experiencing the pain or not.  You just have to step away and let them live their life and live your life being as supportive as you can while also being unconcerned. I know that sounds pretty horrible, but it’s not. The reality is that you can’t save every one, you can only love them for their mistakes and everything else and move on with life. Everyone has a journey and if you’re that person’s friend, you’ll cheer them on and be part of the journey, not try to command their journey.

I say all of that from first hand experience. I’ve fought and judged a lot of people in my brief 30 years. It hasn’t always been fun and it hasn’t always left me looking the best, but you know, the friends I still have that I traveled that road with are some of my best friends still and we have quite an appreciation for each other.

And so…to the point of today’s post, I want to share a recent (it’s so recent as Friday recent) situation and my thoughts (obviously!).

Last Friday night, I went to Brooklyn for two reasons: 1. to support my fellow {NewNew}ers that have opened a shop at Dekalb Market for the holiday season; and 2. to purchase some items for some orders I’m currently working on. I did the second thing first and after found myself home full of thoughts for this post.

Why?

Well because while chatting and enjoying the event, I started talking to a fellow maker and business woman.  At Crafts in Chelsea (CIC) she was stationed almost across from me. She wasn’t directly in front of me as there was a parked car there, but she was next to the parked car. Several times she came over and checked out my wares and we briefly chatted, but we didn’t chat for too long. Needless to say, I was excited to talk to her about her business and her experience at CIC.

As we got more and more in depth in our conversation, she asked about me doing markets and wholesaling and expressed shock that I don’t seem so gun-hoe to do constant markets nor to wholesale and she gave me some tips from her experience. And then she said something, gave her opinion, that I won’t ever forget (mostly because many people continue to tell me the same thing constantly), “I noticed your prices and you have to find a way to make things cheaper and bring the price down.” 

Hmm…Really?

I realized in this conversation that I tend to tune people out once they say something that I don’t want to hear. It’s not that I stop listening to them. I actually do continue to listen to them, I also just manage to run through my to-do list. I know, horrible, Sara!  I do want to be clear here, it’s not that I don’t listen, I just make up my mind whether what the person is saying is valid or not to me and then focus on other things in my mind all the while bobbing my head and not expressing my feelings

I should also point out that I don’t do this to people that I respect or consider friends and family whose opinions and feelings I truly value. I have one friend as a matter of fact, who no matter what the topic always makes me cry during one of our conversations. I need to get better on that front, but she really hits me where it matters the most.  So see, I do listen!

Anyhow, in the past month, I’ve had at least two people, including this woman, tell me that I need to find a cheaper and easier way to make things.  Each time, I’ve considered their words, but have always left each conversation thinking, NO.

I want you to know, readers, that I’m not saying no to expansion or growth potential and I don’t ever want to be my own barrier, but if I’m not going to value myself, passion, product, and service, than why should anyone else? And why should I take a risk and go into business for myself?

I realize that at some point, I will have to hire some employees (I hope I get to that level) and I will have to trust so that I can move the company in other ways, but I don’t ever want to lose the main element of my business which is custom made items by my hands. (There is a reason I want to learn how to make paper after all!)

When I think about business growth for S2, I see a company that expands while teaching future paper craftsmen and designers a skill. I see everything that S2 can become as skill based. I see using techniques that most designers these days don’t have the basic concepts for/of being the catalyst of growth.

Which raises the question of why would I find a cheaper, faster way? Everything is cheaper and faster (for reference, you should see the HUGE hole I’m sporting in my relatively fast and I’m sure made in China sweater from Target that I bought a year ago).

Also, the one thing that I think I have over all the others is my paper fanaticism! I love paper and when a customer orders from S2 Stationery and Design they’re getting fabulous and exquisite paper from all over the world. While being eco-concerned and responsible, I’m also picking paper that is high in quality and beautiful. I’m not just selecting the paper, but I’m working with my own two hands to turn it into a finished product that will make the customer happy and her guests/loved ones who receive the card/invitation, etc.  My craftsmanship is also on display here.  I never, and this is a promise, will compromise on that. Which is why I don’t think I’ll ever be able to lower my prices. Lowering my prices to accommodate more business means that I will have to sacrifice quality and time and I refuse to do so.

I mean even after I am able to make my own paper, the prices will be  higher because I’ll be making the paper that my products are based on which ends up becoming even more time, which I have to pay myself for.  So that is why I half-heartily listened to my fellow vendor and craftswoman when she offered what she thinks I should be doing to make more money without quite understanding my product and my business.

I firmly believe that price doesn’t really matter. I mean it does, but I think my products are for a certain type of client. A client who is willing to pay and values the product and service being provided. I’ve already had plenty of customers that fit that bill, so I know there’s a market and there’s a way. I mean, if there’s a market for half the crap out on the shelves today, there’s a market for anything.

And so the focus becomes “what about my business do I need to focus on to reach my market?”. Which is why as much as I do want to participate in craft shows and tabling events like the ones I’ve done thus far, I really see them as opportunities to learn about my clients and get my name out. We’ve discussed this before on this very platform.  What I’ve enjoyed most about the two events I’ve done this year  (I just learned I’ll be doing a third one just before Christmas) is that I get to interact with potential clients and really watch what they touch, say they like, buy, and share with me. That IS worth gold!

I guess what it really boils down to is that I want to make money, most definitely, but I also want to make a mighty damn good product. If I begin to practice the same measures that other companies do then I’m not very different than the rest of them.  Let’s face it, stationery, if you’re shopping on Etsy or at small scale gift and paper boutiques, right now is a BIG industry.  I’m glad that it is (the writer in me always will be) and  I’m part of it, but I need to maintain my differences if I’m going to play ball.  My version of ball is completely different than another stationery company’s version of ball.  Being part “Sanity Savior” (as I was called by my client last week) makes the time, cost, and quality worth it even more.

My way of doing that is to maintain my prices AND the quality and integrity of my product. I’ve never been a sell out and I won’t be starting anytime soon.  Which I suppose means that I have some long hours and tired hands ahead of me, but for someone with only 2 years under her belt, a full-time job and a host of wedding invitations and other projects under my wings, I’m going to keep moving the way I am. Yes, I will continue to eye the prize of growth and development, but I refuse to scrimp on the things that make my business what is is and will be in the future.

Oh, and what about opinions that I started to talk about earlier? Well, I haven’t misled you or gone astray;  you just tasted the foam of the cappuccino.   I’ll write more about opinions tomorrow, and probably through the rest of the week.

As always, I’m interested in your thoughts and “opinions” on this topic.  I want to know what your strategy is for pricing, or maybe even just your belief. If you’re just viewing this as a customer, please, let me know what you think of paying for value and service and product, versus just product or service. I promise I’m open eyes (for reading) and ears (for listening, even though I’m just reading) and will consider it in the next posting about pricing (it’s an on going topic) as my thoughts, business, and experiences change, develop, and expand.