A Halloween Scrapbooking Journey

Ever since I’ve been working on the Show where there is so much fantastic scrapbooking and papercrafting product, and in particular this last year, I’ve considered getting into scrapbooking. But, to be honest, I find it intimidating! I give you scrapbookers a lot of credit; it’s time-intensive, requires a lot of creativity and from my experience, is really overwhelming to start. Time and time again I go to art supply and craft stores to visit the scrapbooking aisles only to leave empty handed and discouraged.

So here is my question for you readers who are true scrapbookers – do you scrapbook specific holidays? I was recently in Michael’s and A.I. Friedman. to explore the product options. Then, I spent time looking around the internet and discovered that Halloween actually has its own scrapbooking items. This really piqued my curiosity. Here are a few things I found that would definitely make it into my scrapbook (if I ever start one):

This scrapbook paper from Masterpiece Studios is so cute! I love how it incorporates fall leaves with traditional Halloween symbols.

I’m not a fan of anything scary so these embellishments from K & Company make Halloween seem more like a holiday I wouldn’t mind being a part of. Look at the smiles on these fun characters!

If you’re anything like me, the only reason you participate in anything Halloween-related is for the yummy candy; so my scrapbook would not be complete without these stickers from SandyLion.

And just because Halloween is supposed to be a little creepy, I would add a few spider web stamps to my photo filled pages. Inkadinkado makes a lot of fun Halloween themed stamps.


What are your favorite scrapbooking items? Are you creating a Halloween page? We’d love to hear your scrapbooking ideas and stories!

Have a safe Halloween,
Jess

Out and About

I’m on the road for work or vacation just about every month of the year. I don’t know about you, “dear reader”, but I just can’t help myself when it comes to paper. No matter where I am and no matter if it is for work or pleasure, I am known to stop in my tracks to step into a stationery store! I also like to visit customers whenever possible.

At the beginning of September, I logged in a visit to Envelopments, and got to see the cool work environment that Mark and Deborah Smith have created for themselves and their employees. The vibe is collaborative and California cool. Employees can wear jeans every day (boy did I feel out of place in my dress!) Their warehouse area was organized and clean – so pleasant for all the workers in that area who were doing their thing when I stopped in. The outdoor space at Envelopments even includes a little Zen meditation area! Everyone I met was a happy employee. Impressive!

Here’s a pic of Mark and Deborah at the office.










I was in Italy at the end of September through the beginning of this month, and while in Rome I went to visit NSS exhibitor Luca Natalizia, of Natalizia. Luca’s family also owns Cartoleria Pantheon, a wonderful little store located off to one side of the Pantheon.

Here’s a glimpse of the storefront, as well as a shot of the giftwrap on display on the sidewalk just in front of the store.






I also stopped in the large chain La Feltrinelli – there are a few in Rome – this one was in Largo Argentina. I would liken La Feltrinelli to a Barnes & Noble here – they have everything from books, to music, to journals to greeting cards. Here are a couple of covert shots from inside the store.











Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Greeting Card Association’s annual Convention in Scottsdale, AZ. The Convention is just one of many highlights of the year for me, as it is always inspiring, enlightening, and honestly – it’s just plain fun to hang with leaders in the greeting card industry. One of the discussion panels during the convention was called “The Realities of Retailing” and four local retailers discussed their businesses. They were so very generous to share their information and insights, and as you might imagine, they had a rapt audience – we were all attentive and taking notes! Afterwards, I had the happy opportunity to visit 2 of the 4 stores represented on the panel. The Paper Place (this store is family owned and operated, and has been in business for 31 years) and Celebrations in Paper, which owner Rene Showalter opened in 1997.

Here’s a photo of the many invitation albums at The Paper Place.



And check out just a slice of their greeting card offerings. This store is fab – and I spent some $$ there on holiday cards and general greeting cards (could not resist several gorgeous cards from J&M Martinez). I loved visiting with store owner Nancy Silver – and fully expect to see Nancy in May at the NSS. Her sister Betsy (also co-owner of the store) was on the discussion panel earlier in the day. Thank you, ladies for your time!

Down the street and around the corner is Celebrations in Paper. Rene has an interesting set-up as she shares her space with a florist. This is advantageous to both businesses, as they work so often with wedding and party planners. You can bet I happily plunked down a few dollars here, too. (Hello to Brent and Charmaine of Yellow Bird Paper Greetings –I picked up a birthday card and a thank you card of yours here). While I was visiting Celebrations in Paper, I met up with a few other industry folks!

Here’s a picture showing those who stopped by. From left to right:


George White, Up With Paper; Nicky Burton, Calypso Cards; Rene Showalter, store owner; and manufacturers’ representative Chuck Nelson, who works with the stores in Scottsdale and the region.

Visiting retail stores and the talented people behind the products we all love to buy, use and mail is certainly a passion for me. The people in this industry are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet – including yourselves, without a doubt! If I’m ever in your neighborhood, I’d love to come and visit!! (o:

- Until next time, Kelly

A Change of Seasons

It’s fall…and in New York that’s a big change of season! The air starts to crisp, the fields turn to brown and summer fun comes to an end. The last of the flowers show their brilliance and fade away quickly. My little garden always looks so sad without the flamboyance of its more colorful early-season relatives.

I suppose that’s why cards, notes and visuals with pretty flowers will always be popular. They fill the needs of those who appreciate delicate petals, long stems or vibrant eyefuls. For me a flower means happy, friendly and special. My curiosity took me to the 2009 NSS Online Catalog Gallery (which runs thru October 31) for a quick peek at what’s fresh and different for cards. I easily found what I was looking for – Jet Papier had a variety of floral beauties while Vera Bradley presented some updated versions. Sheer delight!

For those who haven’t checked out our Online Catalog Gallery, put it on your “Must Do” list for this month. It’s a great tool for buyers – exclusively featuring NSS exhibitors – providing easy access to complete catalogs with just a click of the mouse. Keep this in mind as we approach the 2010 National Stationery Show, for a sneak peek at all the great products to be found on the Show floor!

I will miss the Summer with its endless flowering but in the meantime, I only have to turn the corner to my local card shop to pick a vivid jonquil or hearty wildflower. As the days get darker earlier, send someone something that will perk up their spirits and get them through to Spring!

Talk to you soon!! Alyson

The Press of Tradition

Tradition is something that I have heard a lot about over the last year or so. When times are tough, families and individuals alike return to a “simpler time”; a refrain used over and over again on the news, in commercials, on talk-shows. Whether “simpler” means family game night or entertaining at home, people look to the past for both comfort and the reminder that we can and will get through these tough times.

There is no style of social stationery products that is more traditional than letterpress. With its crisp lines and beautiful antique styling pressed on rich, textured paper; letterpress conveys a look and feel that is comfortable, safe. Letterpress also has a unique elegance that lends itself to everything from birthday cards to wedding invitations, to coasters and gift wrap. And by its very tactile quality, something letterpressed adds an extra dimension, an extra sense, to the joy of receiving.

The letterpress contingent comes out in full glory at the National Stationery Show. From the bright, stylized nature motifs of Old School Stationers





to the simple,witty one-liners of Albertine Press,










to the elegant lace patters from Copper Willow Paper Studio,







to the luxurious invitation designs by Elum or Twig & Fig – to name but a few among the nearly 100 companies that feature letterpress in the Show - letterpress is as diverse and prolific as the industry itself.

We are seeing growth in the use of this very specialized printing process, and expect that the 2010 Show will delight buyers with new interpretations and uses of a process that has been around since the 1500’s. A process that, in my opinion, has aged quite gracefully.

- Aaron

Face the Facts!

Sitting where I do today in this age of digitized transactions and impersonal exchanges that while speedy lack the warm-fuzzy (personal) or the gratification of a negotiation completed (business), I am regularly engaged in reinforcing something that is anything but old fashioned: face to face interaction.

I feel like Andy Rooney in writing this, but can you imagine choosing a doctor, deciding on a caregiver for a loved one, choosing a money manager, firming up a business relationship - or any number of significant commitments - without first meeting the person with whom you are seriously associating?

While the pace of change has gradually increased, this past year it shoved its way in and created a new reality. As a world community, we were pushed harder this year to function in new ways and adopt new practices, primarily because of the economy and the internet. While intense and unfamiliar, ultimately change is good. But, I don’t think progress requires “throwing away the baby with the bathwater”. As it relates to doing business, there simply is no substitute for looking a person in the eye to talk and explore ideas and opportunities together. How else can you authentically develop trust, confidence and a general comfort level?

At their most fundamental, tradeshows, conferences and other events provide that opportunity.
I know I have a vested interest in reinforcing this format – so maybe you think I’m biased - but I believe this to my core. There are many opportunities to build new and profitable relationships, along with what I call “high touch schmoozing” that is integral to keep current relationships fresh that can’t be replicated outside this format.

May seems a long time away, but not at NSS headquarters! We are in the thick of renewing exhibitors, developing exciting partnerships, orchestrating innovative promotions, welcoming new companies planning their debut on the exhibit floor, as well as welcoming back exhibitors that took last year off.


I hope everyone that reads my blog this week buys into this reality: what you make and what you sell is core to our social culture and may it long live! So, if you’re in this business then doing business face to face at the 2010 National Stationery Show truly is anything but old fashioned.

-Patti

NSS Community-Based Site Live!

Today we “go live” with the National Stationery Show’s new website. More an industry site than purely a show-centric one, we hope it inspires you, and as it develops, becomes a regular stop in your daily clicks. I know, I know another website to follow, but let me tell you why this one will be worthy for you and your business to keep up with.


We’re setting the bar high and aiming to engage professionals on all sides of the business. The reason is simple: to communicate on a regular basis with our industry community well beyond the 4 days each May that we convene.

www.nationalstationeryshow.com will feature industry and business news, product features, flash polls, links to blogs, and other websites we find valuable, and will present what’s timely and relevant about the Show to exhibitors and buyers. It will be dynamic and participative. And, above all, we hope it builds community.

And speaking of community, don’t you find that this word is so often used to describe our industry? It surfaces in almost every business conversation I have, whether in a meeting, in the midst of a phone call with a customer, a planning session with the team, or during a special event. Community is a defining characteristic of the Show, as all sectors of our industry come together: manufacturers, retailers, distributors, reps, designers, licensing agents, suppliers, consumer and trade press. This is a hallmark of NSS (no pun intended!) and something that, if I do say so myself, is pretty unique in the spectrum of shows and business events that are out there. As our community grows, changes, and spans every corner of the world, we hope that the site becomes a global “town center”.

The soft launch will help us uncover any glitches, any clumsy navigation, and maybe even a mistake! But, in a true community we can and should be ourselves – bumps and all. So, go easy on us, but be sure to let us know what you think of this initial debut. And, allow me to invite you to be a part of this community. Please visit the site often, take our polls, contribute ideas, visit the product gallery and enjoy!

-Patti

A Sneak Peek

Okay, readers. You are a privileged group! We can’t contain our excitement any longer, so we’re giving our blog readers a tiny glimpse at the new vibe of the National Stationery Show. And our new vibe isn’t just a new look – it’s a new philosophy and outlook on our obligation to the industry as its leading event. This new vibe can be summed up in just one word - Community.

Gone are the days of the National Stationery Show as just a 4-day event…although no doubt among the most productive four days of your year! We are about to unveil a new website that will intrigue and inspire you year-round with breaking industry news, new product features, industry polls and more. Creating a sense of community is our goal, and we think you’ll agree that we have achieved just that.

Be sure to check out www.nationalstationeryshow.com in another week or so to see our dynamic, community-based new website. Spend a few minutes taking in the latest industry headlines, scoping out some great new products and learning about the Show itself. And did I mention the user-friendly navigation? We always enjoy talking to our customers, and will miss those “where can I find…?” phone calls.

Let us know what you think…and of course, send news, product announcements and anything else you think might be a good fit for our new website.

Happy navigating,
Melissa

Creativity Fuels

Creativity is a big part of what the National Stationery Show is all about. Our exhibitors are creative. Our attendees are creative. Our staff is creative.



The one thing I’ve realized with the technology vs. paper debate I’ve heard about for years is that no matter what, all great products are because of great creativity; and the world will never stop buying great, creative products.


How often do you go into a store not planning on buying anything, and end up with “the cutest thing ever?” There is something inside all of us that has this “I just have to have that” adrenaline rush when we see something new and creative. I know I’m on a budget, I know I already have 4 unused notebooks at home in my desk, but that color…that design…that paper…I must own it. Sound familiar?

Maybe you’re not a notebook nut like I am. But maybe it’s pens; maybe it’s magnets…how about frames and photo albums? Desk novelties and mugs. Or it’s the newest design of post-it and organizational systems. No? Well maybe it’s your kids. It’s the folders and stickers and plush toys. That back to school shopping you just finished doing. If you’re in your 20s or 30s maybe it’s a girly laptop sleeve or a men’s leather messenger bag. It’s a new makeup bag or pocket mirror. Or it’s an iPod cover or cell phone case.



Whatever your guilty purchasing pleasure is, I bet it’s because of someone’s creativity. Some designer/manufacturer/retailer/marketer/sales representative/store manager saw a fresh, new idea and got creative.

So, we want to know:

1 – what fuels your creativity?
And
2- what’s your guilty purchasing pleasure?


We love to hear from our readers – please post a comment below!

*Jessica*

Card Sending Begets Card Sending!

The 2009 National Stationery Show hosted the launch of the national grassroots movement called HOPE is in the cards. The mission is to spread HOPE across America one card or letter at a time through the mail - what a concept!

The greeting card business - and the US Postal Service - have been dramatically impacted by the proliferation of technology tools that people use to communicate. And not to mention our culture that is quickly losing touch with the meaningful gesture of putting pen to paper to communicate. The HOPE program has the potential to remind us of that "mail moment" - the wonderful feeling you get when you see a hand addressed envelope in your mailbox.

I am proud that NSS is among the founding sponsors of HOPE. We are behind Russ Haan, its founder, to forge ahead with incredible ideas to build momentum. One such is the first Week of Hope that launched two days ago and continues through September 7th. You won't believe some of the amazing stories, some of which you can read about on the Hope site.

Retailers across the country are united in their support of the program. They're bringing it to their customers and their communities in ways that help promote traffic to their stores and ultimately sales. The fundamental gesture in common is that every customer that purchases a greeting card gets a free first-class stamp from the retailer. It's that easy.


Do your part and send a card during the Week, for as so many in the industry put it "card sending begets card sending."

-Patti

Robotic

This past week, I was “out and about” (code for attending or working some other trade show) and I could not help but notice what must be a trend – robots! There were robot products and images all over the place. Where is this coming from? I saw little robot key chains, images of robots on t-shirts, paper products, tote bags - and more. All the products were meant for adults, but the robots had a certain look to them – they were kind of cute, not scary. And most of the robots I saw had square heads, not the round-ish head like that of the robot on the classic TV show “Lost in Space.”

Today, we received an exhibit space application for the NSS from a company with something like robot paper dolls (3-D). This product is meant for kids, of course. Look for it at the National Stationery Show in May 2010 – the company who makes them will be getting a booth.

Has anyone else spied this trend out in the market? Where have these robots come from? I thought the craze for robots that rose from the movie enterprise that brought us cute little R2D2 had run its course (for now). Has “The Robot” dance made a comeback and no one told me? Are we being invaded? Is this some social commentary on how technology has affected the population at large? (Just kidding).

I feel a bit like a robot today, (Friday), after having been away from my desk for a solid week! I'll be back to my usual self on Monday, and I can promise you, I'm way too "animated" to ever be called robotic!

Have a great weekend and a good week ahead!

Until next time -

Kelly