Work At Home Mom

So its been almost a full month since my last update and for that I am sorry. I have been super busy chasing the little one around as he is 7 months old and crawling like there is no tomorrow.

I am really enjoying being a work at home mom, however it is a whole new experience. When you work a 9-5 you have those dedicated hours to get your work done before you head home and your mommy duties start. Sometimes I miss knowing that I can get as much as I can done in a specific block of time. Now days that block of time is during naps or for the 30 minutes that the little one plays by himself or his sister entertains him. So at times its hard to get all the work done I'm slowly get into the swing of things I have found that if I make a to do list at the end of the day, its easier to jump right into things the next morning. Another option I'm considering is having my niece watch the little one for about 5 hours two times a week so that I can have some truly uninterrupted work time.

I would love to know how all you other work at home moms handle getting all your work done and taking care of your little ones. I know that there must be some great tips and tricks to getting it all done.

little man chilling

Wheelbarrow Festival

IMG_8234, originally uploaded by Hartleysoap.

Been lazy about posting the last few weeks.I was hoping to launch my new sections this month, but with all the shows I have been doing, plus just getting two large custom invitation orders and having the kids all day things are moving slower than I wanted. So instead I'll just post a photo of the booth set-up I had this weekend with my pal Robin of Hartley Soap Company and try this again next week

Some Fun this weekend

So just so you guys know I'm in the process of creating some new weekly sections on the blog that you should see starting next week, they will include a weekly color inspiration board, A featured online shop or B&M store and a bit of business advice as well. In the meantime for all of you readers that are located in Metro Atlanta area I'll be selling my new stationery collection along side some other crafty folks this weekend at "A Handmade Market" flyer is below and also at the Wheelbarrow Festival in Reynoldstown/Atlanta on June 13th

{Stationery Showcase}-InkSpot Workshop

So even thought we've seen a large amount of rain the last few weeks it's SUMMER. The kids are out of school, the days are long and hot and there seems to be a super cool festival going on every single weekend. This is the first summer in a very long time that I'm not working and I love it. I'm looking forward to hours spent at the pool, afternoons in the park, and oh yeah hours upon hours spent working in my home-studio developing my stationery line.  Its going to be busy and crazy and fun and that's just what I like about summer.

What I like about InkSpot workshop is that her line feels like summer. If you could package summer up and send it to a friend she would receive some InkSpot workshop confections in her mailbox. Stacy opened her etsy shop up just a little over a year ago and is already showing an impressive amount of press and sales and stationery isn't even her only full-time job. Besides being a wife and a mother to a super cute 3 year-old little boy, Stacy sells medical supplies during the day. So even though her plate is full she still manages to produce some stunning items. From the InkSpot workshop website: I use only the finest designer papers for my hand crafted envelopes and either 80# linen or 110# cardstock for my cards. I can customize anything on my site to your specific taste. If you see a graphic from one card set and a font from another, no problem, just let me know exactly what you are looking for and I will customize.

InkSpot workshop is constantly adding new items in their shop, one of the newest items is a Carnival folded note card set that features a Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel and Flying Planes, each set is bound with a paper and ribbon band. As if she was not busy enough, Stacy became inspired by her own two dogs and started Fire Hydrant Press this paper collection is dedicated to four legged friends all over. So if your a dog lover or have a friend that is, this is the place to check out.

As an added bonus InkSpot workshop is offering all Stationery Hustle readers a 15% discount just put "JHPapers" in the message to seller box when checking out and wait for your new invoice.. How sweet is that.

{Stationery Showcase}-Eyelet Sage Studio

I in no way think of myself as an expert in the stationery industry, everday I seem to learn something new I'm still working to develop my brand and I want to step up my marketing. I will say it feels good when someone comes to me for advice or to get my opinin on their business. I belong to a couple of great online groups and a some local ones as well. I'm super thankfull for all the smart, witty and business savy woman that are a part of my life and I hope to be that kind of friend/mentor to someone. 

When the submissions started rolling in for the current showcase I was very pleased to see some new faces to the industry one of them was the very talented Melanie Morris of Eyelet Sage studio. Melanie didn't start off thinking she was going to be a stationery designer, however while studying advertising she started creating her own cards and calendars and it became quite addicting. Her love of paper had always been there and after graduation she decided to move forward with this endeavor. From Melanie's website: There's just something about the heft and texture of paper. In this world of computers and email and social networking I want to provide a little bit more of why handwritten correspondence is so unique and special. Part of my shop is my little stand against the technology age.

Recently Eyelet Sage studio added a super cute coptic-bound notebook to the existing line of blank note cards and it is super cute. Melanie is currently working on new items for the shop and patiently waiting for her first sale I think it will be coming very soon.  I think with her positive attitude and fun illustration style Eyelet Sage studio is soon to be a big hit.

Looking for contributors

The smell of summer is in the air and so is the smell of funnel cakes and indie crafts! Like myself I know there are a lot of folks gearing up or already into their yearly show/festivals mode. I think that their are  I just as many crafters debating if shows are something they want to dive into. So I want to help them out.

I have seen a lot of websites with tips on what to bring and I think that is super helpful, but I would like to take it a bit further. I've put together 7 questions that I think could really help a designer out and if you have participated in any shows so far this year or will be participating in any shows by August of this year I would love to talk with you. I promise it will be quick and painless. I will send you a PDF questioner including my 7 questions and a space for you to any anything you just send it back with a photo of your booth set up and a product photo and we are good to go. I currently have two designers lined up and would love to  have 4-6  more. You do not  to be a stationery designer to participate, but it would be great if you are. You can leave a comment in this post , just make sure there is a link back to your website or blog so I can contact you in the next couple of weeks. You can also DM me on twitter @Jhpapers or email me directly stationery-hustle@comcast.net. If your not doing a show, but know someone who is please feel free to pass this along.

-Rajshel

{Stationery Showcase}-Robin Beth Designs

Jasmine2 from the "New Classic Wedding Collection"

If your like me you have been scouring the blogs and twitter post for any bit of insider info you can get on the National Stationery Show, this event now in its 63rd year will be wrapping up tomorrow. I hate that I could not be there this year, however I do have a special column on my TweetDeck devoted to any #NSS post and every time a photo is posted I get that excited feeling in my tummy. I can't help it like most of my readers I'm a paperholic and I don't need not stinking 12 step program!

Robin Beth Designs is displaying her lovely collection at NSS this week. I'm sure that buyers are placing orders as you read this. Robin has created three collections that work with you throughout your life. If you are becoming a bride in the near future the Classic Wedding Collection is for you, for those of you expecting a bundle of joy the Charming Prints collections is a must have and of course for your everyday correspondence needs there is her selection of Letterpress Goodies that includes: Four different designs printed on luxurious cotton card stock to make note cards, mini-journals, gift tags and holiday ornaments. From Robin's Website:  Robin Beth Designs has allowed me to turn my passion for beautiful things into my lifework. Whether composing invitations, holiday cards, announcements or personal stationery, I work to discover dazzling papers, ribbons, and other unique embellishments and incorporate them into completely exceptional creations that will captivate you and your recipients.

Robin Beth Designs entire collection carries a timeless beauty and elegance that is refreshing. Her letterpressed items are created with care and you will be so pleased with your finished product. If you happen to be at NSS please stop by her booth #3113 and take a closer look at her work. This entrepreneur, designer and mom is truly bringing fabulous ideas to life.

Transportation & Sheep  from the "Charming Prints Collection"

Note Cards & custom packaging from the "Letterpress Goodies  Collection"

{Stationery Showcase}-Salt & Syrup

Here at the Stationery Hustle I try very hard not to be partial to letterpress paper submissions, it difficult I have been in love with this print style since the first time I ran my hand over the indention's in the soft cotton paper. Several years later when I took my first letterpress class it was ran by a very nice man who told us how the indention was not what printers were trying to achieve back in the day and that you only wanted a "kiss print" where the image just kissed the paper. Now days the very thing that makes letterpress so special is the indention as you can't achieve this with normal offset and digital printing.

Salt & Syrup was started by Emily Ranneby, an American illustrator and designer living in Stockholm, Sweden. Emily is a newcomer to the stationery market, but seems to be rolling on strong momentum as her work is popping up on blogs and in magazines. Her letter-pressed cards are mini art pieces and would fit in a frame as easily as they do envelopes. In her debut collection Emily combines images of wildlife creatures with swedish, english and french this unexpected grouping adds another level of distinctive flair to the set. Salt & Syrup cards are appealing to both children and adults with their use bright colors. From Emily's site: Dedicated to concocting vibrant and deliciously unexpected combinations that simply work, we get great satisfaction from things like combining modern, scandinavian designs with old fashioned, hands-on printing techniques. plus, we’re crazy about all those little details that make things come together. like the texture of fine quality paper.

Salt & Syrup seem to be on their way to big things with collaborations in the works and the collection making its way into retail stores this year. With Emily's illustrative talents I'm sure fun new items will be rolling out soon. While your waiting keep in mind that the studio also does custom work from wedding stationery to everyday occasions. I'll bet that with there international surroundings it adds a wonderful bit of flavor to all her creations.