I’m absolutely loving this adorable artwork from Oxford, UK based illustrator Rebecca Horwood. Cheer up, sad packaging, you’ll soon be happily recycled, too!

Each limited edition original illustration is drawn in black pen on a recycled envelope — you can see an umounted example here — and features different cute characters that are unique to that piece.

You can see more of Rebecca’s wonderful work on her website.

image from Rebecca Horwood

Minted is a snazzy new online store whose mission is to “discovery great stationery design everywhere and deliver it to [our] customers with their personal touches added.” They have design selections from some of the finest independent stationery brands, known for their artistry and fine printing techinques. Brands include Louella Press, Egg Press, Mr. Boddington’s, Peculiar Pair Press, Paper + Cup, Oblation Papers, and Ceci New York.

What excites me most about Minted is their design challenges. These challenges offer up and coming designers a chance at greater exposure to the public, and the winning designs will be printed and sold on Minted.com.

Their first design challenge, centered around photo save the date cards, was inspired by three real couples from the super popular Wedding Bee Network. The challenge received 80 entries and created great buzz for all involved.

Minted’s second challenge focuses on photo holiday cards. The prizes are $1000 for 1st place winners; $250 for 2nd place winner; and $100 each for 3rd, 4th, and 5th place winners. The top 5 designs will be featured and sold on Minted.com, with the winning designers receiving 4% of net sales of the products sold, in addition to the cash prizes. Pretty sweet!

images from Minted

The 2008 National Stationery Show takes place starting this weekend, from May 18-21, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. I won’t be in attendance, unfortunately, but if you’re in the area, the show is a must see.

Many of our favorites here at Paper Crave will be exhibiting at the show this year. Below, I’ve compiled a list of some of the paper shops that will be in attendance and their booth numbers. Stop by and check them out if you’re going to be there! This list is by no means exhaustive, so feel free to post your business and booth info in the comments section if you don’t see your business on the list. You can also email me, and I’ll be happy to add your business and booth name to the list.

Amy Smyth Made It : Booth # 2057

Bumble Ink : Booth #2447

Dauphine Press : Booth #2534

Egg Press : Booth #3067

Elum Designs : Booth #3013

Fugu Fugu Press : Booth #1466

Hello! Lucky : Booth #1356

Ink & Paper : Booth # 2280

Ink + Wit : Booth #2246

Linda & Harriett : Booth #2059

Louella Press : Booth #3176

Mixed Co. (includes Allymoon, Good on Paper, Laurel Denise, Linea Carta, Mateo Ilasco, and Nantaka Joy) : Booth #1448

Ilee Papergoods : Booth #1065

Mr. Boddington’s Studio : Booth #1752

Night Owl Paper Goods : Booth #1644

Paper + Cup : Booth #2248

Pie Bird Press : Booth #2049

Pikku : Booth #2048

Rag & Bone Bindery : Booth #3631

Red Cap Cards : Booth #1963

Sarah Marie : Booth #1265

She’s SO Creative : Booth #3303
Snow & Graham : Booth #3620

Trimorphos : Booth #3625

Whimsy Press : Booth #4242

I’ve seen Three Potato Four’s modern milk bottle carafes featured on a number of design blogs lately (love them!), but I didn’t know that they also had so many pretty paper goods. In addition to carrying items from lines by Henry Road, Nantaka Joy, Serrote, and Night Owl Paper Goods, they also carry adorable imported Japanese sticker stamps (above), fun patterned gift tags (below), and cute birdhouse notecards (below).

images from Three Potato Four

Just in time for spring and summer — adorable retro paper dress cards from Specialty Cards 4 U. Available in a variety of patterns, everything from polka dots to chic script, the cute little dresses look like they’re straight out an Audrey Hepburn film. I especially love the little hanger detail. Cards are $5.50 each.

images from Specialty Cards 4 U

I’m absolutely loving these wedding invitations from Cheree Berry. Her work features a bit of everything (all of it gorgeous), from wonderfully unique envelope liner designs to fantastic illustrations, color schemes, die cuts, and typographic elements.

Cheree Berry Paper opened in January 2006. Before opening her own studio, Cheree was an associate art director at Kate Spade and was in charge of designing the wedding stationery and personalized stationery lines that Kate Spade sells through Crane & Co.

Cheree also designs note cards and announcements and creates custom wedding invitations. Lovely stuff!

images from Cheree Berry

Still in need of a Mother’s Day card? Move quick, and you can pick up one of The Paper Peony’s beautiful letterpress designs for the special day. In addition, the shop offers letterpress cards for all special occasions, letterpress coasters, and wedding invitations. Cards are $4.00 each.

More letterpress eye candy from the collection:

images from The Paper Peony

Lovely personalized note cards and greeting card designs from Turtle Papers. I’m really digging the combinations of sophisticated flourishes, old world emblems, and stylized florals and wildlife. The colors are so bright and fun, too, and remind me of warm weather (which I hope will be here soon).

images from Turtle Papers