There’s something so romantic and mysterious about a message in a bottle, and these diminutive paper type necklaces from Bridgetown Papers are such a great gift idea for anyone looking for something unique and unexpected.  Fill the bottle (up to 50 letters) with the initials or names of the special people or places in your life, send a secret message to someone you love, or enclose uplifting words as a gift to a friend or family member in need of some comfort and encouragement.

You also have the option of including a single icon, made from gold cardstock, to include with the silver letters. See all of the icon choices, and find out more about these sweet necklaces, right here.

images from Bridgetown Papers

Artist, Krista Charles, and her shop, XA Charles, were recently featured in Etsy’s daily newsletter, and I was instantly drawn to her unique “Matchbook Landscapes” series. She combines her “love of art, travel, and secondhand shopping through people’s collections of matchbooks” to create little matchbook masterpieces, the first of which were made using vintage matchbooks found in her grandfather-in-law’s junk drawer.

Krista’s blends the past with the present with a little help from Google Maps, where she looks up the location for the business listed on each individual matchbook. She then creates a pencil sketch on the interior cover of the matchbook of whatever is currently at the location, and sometimes she finds that it’s still the original business listed on the matchbook. How cool is that?

You can find out more about Krista and her creations in her feature in Etsy’s Fresh Shops series right here.

images from Krista Charles

]]> http://papercrave.com/matchbook-landscapes-by-krista-charles/feed/ 0 http://papercrave.com/matchbook-landscapes-by-krista-charles/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PaperCrave/~3/FlBdGhzZ41Q/ http://papercrave.com/social-proper-summer-2012/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 13:20:17 +0000 kristen http://papercrave.com/?p=12055

Social Proper’s summer line has brought back my love for all things navy blue … and the gold glitter is pretty awesome, too. The new collection features a lovely array of patterned and watercolor-textured greetings and note cards in navy, teal, kelly green and coral, with a touch of gold glitter here and there. Check out the full line over at Social Proper and, before you go, take a peek at some of the featured designs:

images from Social Proper

Can you believe that the National Stationery Show is less than a week away? I’m excited to be able to attend (and to speak at) the show this year and cannot wait to take in aisle after aisle of incredible paper goods.

Many talented stationers are making their debut at the show this year, including Happy Cactus Designs (booth #2143), whose fun and colorful cards simply make me want to smile. Over 70 Happy Cactus greeting cards and note cards will be introduced at the show, and each design features hand drawn illustration and lettering by Happy Cactus Designs’ own Brannon Cullum.

Here’s a little peek at some of the paper goodies that you’ll find in the Happy Cactus Designs booth (and in their online shop, too!):

images from Happy Cactus Designs

]]> http://papercrave.com/happy-cactus-designs/feed/ 0 http://papercrave.com/happy-cactus-designs/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PaperCrave/~3/BI_-w9xUQtU/ http://papercrave.com/stationery-trends-spring-2012/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 13:20:23 +0000 kristen http://papercrave.com/?p=12029

The Spring 2012 issue of Stationery Trends is out, and I’m so excited to have an article in the issue (page 102)! The article is a brief introduction to affiliate programs, which can be a great marketing and income channel for your business. Many stationers and business owners are curious about affiliate programs, and I hope that this article will help give you a better idea about what they are and best practices for running a successful program.

Download a PDF copy of the article, and be sure to head over to Stationery Trends for highlights from the current issue, as well as web exclusive content.

Image and article pdf courtesy of Stationery Trends. This PDF cannot be reproduced or distributed without express written permission of Great American Media services.

Crane & Co. recently began offering five of their fabulous envelope liner papers as full sheets that can be used as ultra elegant gift wrap or incorporated into an endless number of scrapbooking, paper crafting, and home decorating projects.

The ultra luxe papers include (above, clockwise from top left): the flora specked, soft green and gold Twilight; the vintage map embellished, wanderlust-evoking Old World Charm; the classically understated, fleur-de-lis  patterned Fleurs Truly; and the verdant, Midori-crafted Berries & Birds.

So lovely!

images from Crane & Co.

Free Printable Watercolor Mother’s Day Card by Jessica Jones

This Week’s Picks

♥ It’s a card. No, it’s a shot glass. Actually, it’s both!

♥ Duet Letterpress’ new site is lookin’ gorgeous! And you can save 12% on your ready-made order from the Duet Letterpress shop with code PCREADERS2012. Offer valid through May 17, 2012.

♥ Speaking of good looking sites, the new Fonts.com beta has got it going on.

♥ A fun do-it-yourself “to do list” notepad project – free printable included – from Wit & Whistle.

♥ Oooh, gold engraving.

♥ A free printable Mother’s Day card made especially for “badass” moms by Benign Objects.

♥ Paper tigers on the prowl at the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

♥ Pretty, pretty paper magnolias by Karin Toll.

image from How About Orange

It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for all things kawaii, and Noodoll’s collection of cutie patootie paper goodies has me giggling with kawaii-loving delight. Noodoll is the brainchild of designer and author YiYing Wang, who created the “World of Noodoll” as part of her Master’s course in Communication Design at Central Saint Martin’s, London.

The Noodoll lineup has grown to include a menagerie of adorable monsters and anthropomorphic animals that are available on notebooks, cards, art prints, and even as oh so clever bookmarks that hang on cards before latching onto your book pages.

images from Noodoll

Jenny and Gra, the talented creative duo behind the Italian shop, Shhh My Darling, have a site full of fun and whimsical paper goodies, including art prints, illustrated, woodland creature-themed wedding invitations, and a growing line of greeting cards that feature Jenny and Gra’s super cool designs. I’m really digging their folksy “CARNIVAL” card set, which includes four two-color scenes and some seriously cute little foxes.

Shh My Darling ships worldwide so, no matter where you live, you’ll be able to pick up some of their pretty paper goods.

images from Shhh My Darling

Above, clockwise from top : a collection of chalkboard-themed wedding invites (shown are Chalkboard Wedding Invitations by Alethea and Ruth for Minted); from the Fresh Love wedding collection by Yours is the Earth; from the Hermie Suite by MaeMae Paperie; Abigail + Aled’s whimsical letterpress wedding invitations (design by Aled Lewis and printing by Blush); from the Maggie Collection by Weswen Design

images from their respective sources