a little treat!

We just received our order from the ladies at Pearl & Marmalade... and when I opened the box, I noticed a sweet little surprise! Among the beautiful cards and stationery that I had ordered...was my own personal noteset. It even has my name on it... and an owl (how perfect!). They included a sweet note too!
Rest assured... my notes will definitely be in style now!
Thanks to Lee and Dani!
In addition to my little treat... we received lots of good stuff! Some items that we've previously had and some new items. The staff was melting as we unpacked the box and labeled the merchandise. It's all so cute! You can find some of their items here. And be sure to keep checking our site to see their new items... they should be up soon!

happy fourth!

I'm on my way to visit a good friend for the weekend and am hoping everyone has just as wonderful of a weekend as I am going to have.
Hopefully you'll be able to see some fireworks (they're my favorite part)!
We have a really great Fourth of July display in the store and I had to take some photos... the staff did a great job on this one.
I don't know what to put up next since this one is so good!
Here's a peek from inside the store:

Happy Fourth of July!

introducing the FOUND

I'd like to officially introduce the FOUND to the bwp world! I first met the folks behind the FOUND at The National Stationery Show... they were recommended to me by a friend. I went to their both and ended up staying there- just chatting for awhile. They're out of Chicago.. so we had the whole Midwest connection going on. They just might be coming up for a visit one of these days too!

Their cards are hilarious. I often hear people in the store cracking up while reading their cards. They find vintage photos or mugshots and use them on the face of the cards and then they stick some catchy or sassy phrase on them.

Some people were skeptical when I came back from New York and was bragging about them... since they don't really visually fit into the store. Nonetheless, they seem to be rather popular in the store. Plus, I sent this one to my grandpa for his 82nd birthday and he approved. If you have my grandpa's approval... you know you're in business!

We've had their cards in the store for awhile and they just got put up on the web. Here's a photo of when they first came in (I was so excited, I just had to take a picture!).


Here are a few more shots from the FOUND. . .

And here they are on the racks in the store. They just look like they belong! They've been flying off the shelves but a few can still be found online here.

we made it!

Today is my one month anniversary of owning the store! Can that be considered an anniversary? I think so, since owning a store is like a relationship... I am so completely in love with the store and with what I do. 

So I thought I would say "Happy Anniversary." 

We've made it for a whole month and we're going strong. I have amazing support behind me and without them this wouldn't be possible. I've had many visitors and many well wishes since my first day. Even my first grade teacher wrote me saying "I'm not sure who is prouder of you me or your mom." Speaking of my mom, she's been great! I couldn't do this without her...

And thank you again to Tracie Stier-Johnson- what an amazing lady!

(I feel like this is an award acceptance speech- I might or might not be teary!) 

I came across this old photograph while doing some cleaning. It was taken before the store was built. It is amazing how time has changed and how the store has. I can't wait to see what's in store for the future. . . 

So for all of you bwp supporters out there... thank you! 

I hope for many many more wonderful months to come. . .

buying paper

{via BizTimes}

I was recently interviewed by The BizTimes regarding my acquisition of Broadway Paper. The issue came out today. I was keeping my eye on the mailman the whole morning, just waiting for him to drop of today's issue! I am so pleased with the article (I keep reading it over and over!). The reporter did such a great job of capturing my personality and style in the article... plus there is some good information in there!
It feels too cool to have been featured in a Business Journal!
You can read the entire article here.

delphine

Delphine is yet another super great designer. Their booth was stunning and had quite a presence. They used frames and shelves to display product... and there was carpeting... and fresh flowers... I felt as if I was in their living room.
And they made me feel so comfortable I could have been in their living room!



They debuted their Baby Animal Collection at The Show and their little animals made me melt! I picked up some of this collection as well as products from a few other new collections. Everything they do is so cute... you'll be seeing their new products in the store and online very soon!

binth

Binth is a designer that I had never heard of before The National Stationery Show. Actually the ladies at Snow and Graham suggested that I make a stop at their booth. And I am glad I did! The booth itself was so fabulous...
I wish my house looked like their booth.




Binth offers stationery but also specializes in prints and posters. Their style is really attractive and their price points are great. Their greeting cards hit the shelves today (including my personal favorite- gracias) and they will soon all be online too!

hello lucky

Hello Lucky is another designer that I have always adored... never did I imagine meeting them! They, like everyone at The National Stationery Show, are such sweet people. Hello Lucky had a lot of new products and were so helpful in acquainting me with all of their new items.


I picked up some new greeting cards and also some fill-in invitations for bridal and baby showers. They are letterpressed and they are oh so adorable!
They're already available in store.. and soon to be online!

tiselle

Tiselle is another wonderful designer I got the chance to meet at The National Stationery Show. She is just as lovely as her products. Her booth was really pretty, yet simple. And a huge bonus was the screenprinted tote bag!



My favorite of Tiselle's is her letterpress fill-in invitations.
They are just perfect for a summer party!
Soon they'll be here ready for purchase in store and on the web...

snow & graham

So I've always adored Snow & Graham. From their letterpress greeting cards to their beautiful papers... I just could never get enough. Well now that I've gotten the chance to meet the people behind Snow & Graham, I am in even more love! They are such kind and cute girls!
They have the right combination of cute and classy!






I really enjoyed their booth (I kept going back for more). Everything looked just perfect. Their new coordinates are great (two sets of coordinating designs in one package) and their new greeting cards are super cute.
You'll see them up here in no time at all. . .
Ohhhh Snow & Graham, you're so great!

la familia green

Another designer that I really enjoyed at The National Stationery Show is La Familia Green. I have always liked their cards and thought they are so clever, and to meet the people behind the cards was quite a thrill. Their booth was quite a trip and I can only imagine the fun they had putting the whole thing together. It did remind me a little bit of my girl scout years (in a good way)- felt and paper chain links all abound! While enjoying some laffy taffy and dum dums that they had out, I looked through boxes of their new cards... and I have to say I think I got some goodies!

la familia green

cards

banner

And a big thing for me is that they donate a portion of their proceeds to local animal shelters in Chicago. How can you not love that?
I'll keep you updated once their product is in and ready!

paper + cup design

Paper + Cup Design truly does combine something new with something old... and this combination is something I absolutely adore. A good balance between what was good in the past and what is good in the present is something rare to achieve. But, let me tell you... these designers have it down pat!

I very much enjoyed their old school greeting cards and their classic travel journals. These items and actually, their whole line makes me want to spend a whole afternoon writing to old friends and journaling about past travels. I wonder when I'll have a spare afternoon to do just that?

paper + cup design

pretty invites!

oh, so classic cards

travel journals

I also fancied their custom holiday book and I just might be in talks with them about some personal calling cards. How exciting! I'll be updating the blog when their product comes in... I just cannot wait!

... and we're back

Please excuse my absence but... the past two weeks have been ridiculously busy and crazy (in a really good way).
Two weeks ago today was my first official day as owner of the store.
I wasn't at the store though... I was where everyone else was in the stationery world- in New York City for The National Stationery Show!

The Show was incredible. Something I had always dreamed of seeing... but honestly I had always thought it would only be a dream. I had first heard about the show about a year ago and back in January, I had bought a ticket to New York and signed up as a student to go to The Show. Little did I know that in six months time, I would be going as the owner of Broadway Paper.

Here is just a sneak peek of what I saw at The National Stationery Show. In the next few weeks I'll be getting a lot more specific on what I liked and what I bought. Many shipments have already come in and we've been busy unpackaging them... so I will keep you updated and let you know once the new product is available in the store and online.

For now, here are a few photos to tide you over:

Once things are a little more situated I'll be keeping everyone updated on what's new at Broadway Paper. Please check back often. . .

hello world!

Thank you Tracie for that nice little introduction!

and yes... she is right, I am very very excited about being the new owner of Broadway Paper. I am filled with many new ideas, hopes, and inspiration for the store. Some of which I hope to find at The National Stationery Show this weekend.

I'm headed to New York in a few hours and am more than excited to see just what is out there. I'm anxious to meet our current vendors and to meet some new vendors as well. I'm looking forward to interacting with everyone in person and finally putting faces to their names. And of course I can't wait to be in New York with some good old friends that I have not seen in years.

I have a plane to catch and I haven't finished packing. . . more soon.

all good things must come to an end ...

I know you see this all over the blogosphere ... but I truly do apologize for my {blogging} absence!

I mentioned back in December that I would be selling the store ... and I have. Today is my last day here at bwp, in fact, I'll be packing up when I finish this post.

I have loved, loved, loved being part of this wonderful industry. Paper, creativity, letterpress, ribbon ... come on! It's a no brainer, right?

I have been truly blessed to have had this experience ... owner of Broadway Paper. Amazing.

I will miss it, but I am so excited for the new chapter of my life I'm opening! Beginning with being home with my girls this summer ... yay!

The other big news is that I've started a photography business ... say what?!

I've mentioned it many times here ... I love photography ... I've been taking a few workshops and one thing led to another. I'm excited to explore this next chapter on my own terms and my own flexibility. Also, I haven't ironed out all the details yet, but it'll be a non-profit business, in that I'll be donating all proceeds to different charities that are close to my heart.

If you'd like to follow along on my journey, I invite you to join me here. I truly can't wait to see what's in store ...

And without further adieu ... let me introduce you to the new owner of Broadway Paper ... Miss Kate Strzok!

Kate has worked at the store for a few months now. I've been showing her the 'ropes' and will spend some time with her this weekend at the National Stationery Show. Kate is beyond excited and I have no doubt she has great things in store for bwp!

I guess all that's left to say is {roll video} ...