National Stationery Show 2010 : All About Details, Part 2

Miss the first part of All About Details? You can check it out here.

The Smock booth was a feast for the color lover’s eyes. I loved seeing the vibrant colorways in their new card collections, and the bent wire signage was something else — hello, mini smock hanger! Smock’s new gift boxes and bags are really cool, too, and their patterned boxes would make great office paper storage, as well as being fantastic as reusable gift boxes. And the gift bags — very sturdy and made from paper handmade in Nepal using 12th century papermaking techniques. Pretty neat stuff.

Smock

Wiley Valentine’s booth was like a super luxe lounge. I think they even had a couch in there! I really enjoyed their use of the birdcage wall hanging as a display for their cards and calendars, and their letterpress art prints were a feast for the eyes. Seriously, though, the “Let Them Eat Cake” print was making me hungry, and their oh so pretty recipe cards were making me want to bake. It must’ve been around lunch time when I visited their booth. Yep, that’s my excuse.

Wiley Valentine

The Mr. Boddington’s Studio booth made fantastic use of paper! From the white paper cobblestone walls to patterned envelope liner awnings, there was a little bit of paper in every corner, and it was a beautiful display for Mr. Boddington’s greetings. Plus, how cool is that post box business card holder?

Mr. Boddington's Studio

Paisley Tree Press oh so cleverly used chicken wire as a display for their beautiful letterpress cards and coasters. Who knew that chicken wire could be so elegant?

Paisley Tree Press

The hand cut wood sign at The Mincing Mockingbird was completely awesome, and I thought that the white on white in the booth made it look like a modern gallery space, perfect to display their bird paintings and prints. One of my favorites was the Pi is Infinitely Tasty card, perfect for the mathematician or pie lover in your life. Versatile!

The Mincing Mockingbird

Lots of color and fun cards in the Amy Smyth Made It booth. Hee, Not Old Owl card! I thought it was neat that the back of the booth was covered with “framed” versions of a variety of the cards.

Amy Smyth Made It

photos by yours truly

Eco Friendly Paper : Amy Smyth Made It

Eco Friendly Paper

Amy Smyth recently debuted her 2008 collection, which includes over 100(!) new and/or improved colorful designs in every category, from birthday and bridal to moving and thank you.

Even better, the entire collection is printed on recycled paper — Neenah Environment, to be exact — and use recycled envelopes.

Below are several of my favorites:

Amy Smyth Made It Recycled Birthday Card
Amy Smyth Made It Recycled Good Luck Card
Amy Smyth Made It Recycled Bridesmaid Card
Amy Smyth Made It Recycled Football Invitation

images from Amy Smyth Made It

Amy Smyth Made It

Amy Smyth Made It Birthday

I was recently introduced to Amy Smyth Made It, a wonderfully funky stationery line by illustrator turned paper pusher Amy Smyth. As I pored over the site, I found it very difficult to choose just a few favorites to feature, so be prepared for the images to come (I’m sure you don’t mind, right?).

I really dig the illustration style, which has such a spirited attitude, and the colors that Amy Smyth uses – lots of subdued, sophisticated naturals used in a bold way.

Amy Smyth Made It offers a little bit of everything, from baby and bridal invitations to gift tags, moving announcements, holiday, and notecards. I’d advise you to do as Amy Smyth suggests and “write a freakin’ note,” if only so you’ll have an excuse to buy her paper goods.

images from Amy Smyth Made It