Papergraphic
I absolutely love typography and paper crafts, so when I came across Yulia Brodskaya's work, I immediately fell in love! Yulia uses thin strips of paper to create detailed illustrations using decorative swirls! The technique is known as "papergraphic" and can take a couple of days – or weeks to finish! Check out her website for more beautiful samples of her work!
Emily's Stationery Shop
A few days ago, in the midst of her annual Spring cleaning, my mother came across a special piece of artwork I made when I was seven years old! She emailed me this picture and proceeded to explain how I used to hand paint note cards and sell them to my friends and family. I have to say though – minus the awful clip art and misspelling of “stationery,” my price point was right on... not exactly! Clearly, I’ve been passionate about stationery from a young age!
A Peek Inside: A Rarity at HP
O hey!! What is this you see? In case you all had to do a double take, yes, that is Erin! It is a rare chance you see her sitting! Let alone with her feet up. No, she is not just chatting it up on the phone relaxing. Erin was in the middle of some phone interviews and needed a break from standing at the letterpress all day. So amidst the crazy production and hum of Gretel, Erin stole away to the Silk Room for some quiet. I could not resist getting a quick snapshot.
Vendor Spotlight: RSVP
With wedding season in full force it is hard not to be thinking of RSVP's. This leads me to our next vendor. RSVP in Iowa City, Iowa. The lovely ladies of RSVP are spunky, creative and part of a tight knit community! Their store has so much to offer and I was dying to know more, so I just had to ask some questions!
How many years have you been in business? We’ve been going strong for 14 years!
Do you have a website, if so, what's the address? www.rsvp-asap.com
If you were to sell something other than stationery, what would it be? I’d love a shop that combines luxury bath products (candles, soaps, lotions), beautiful lingerie, and letterpress poetry broadside work. Random? Yes. Delightful? Also yes!
Besides the obvious (stationery), what is your favorite thing to give as a hostess gifts? Saipua Soaps: great soap, lovely paper packaging.
Here at Haute Papier, we love to eat! When in NYC for the National Stationery Show, where is your favorite place to grab dinner? www.casellula.com It's teensy, intimate and delicious. I think it's also my favorite, because I’ve spent so many amazing evenings there with other paper people.
Any other tidbits about your store you'd like to share? We are community minded. We're located in the heart of Iowa City, home to the Iowa Writer’s Workshop (a superb book arts program) and a UNESCO City of Literature. We host numerous fine arts events in the store each month: literary readings, art exhibit openings, even live music once in awhile! We are known for projects that encourage letter writing - mailart and penpals being among our faves. We’ve even helped sponsor a public piano that sits outside our store! Art comes in all forms, letters being only one, and we like the inspiration that collaboration brings…as well as the delightful sense of community.