NSS 2012 booth

Back from the Stationery Show now - exhausted but invigorated!

Being in that environment with so much creativity, talent, and excitement for the industry is really inspiring. And one of my favorite aspects was getting to see people we met last year, both retailers and "booth buddies" (our neighbors). We had fabulous neighbors again this year, including May Day Studio, Stephanie Hessler, Happy Cactus Designs, and From You to Me.

New to our experience this year was talking with magazine editors who stopped in our booth, and being featured in Stationery Today, the daily NSS edition of the leading trade magazine Stationery Trends.

Our new letterpress men's line was a hit! We received lots of positive feedback which is exactly what you want when you're trying something new. And we love the timing since Father's Day is right around the corner (June 17).

Now it's time to unpack, keep in touch with people we met, and start to think about next year...

Show bound

If you're in the area, come see us at the Javits in NYC! Booth 2146

You're invited!

Our third new line debuting next week is our imprintable invitations, with 6 designs to choose from. They could also double as place-setting menus for a luncheon or bridal shower. Let the party begin!

Letterpress anyone?

Also debuting Sunday is our new letterpress line, designed for men. I've always loved this medium and am so excited to offer these heavy card stock flats in time for Father's Day (June 17). Even in this day of emailing and texting, you can't beat the personal touch of a hand-written note sent the "old fashioned" way.

Boy-Girl party!

Another preview of one of the new lines we're launching in a ~week, this one of our new girls' line of birthday cards. I love the vibrant colors, with the oranges and yellows really popping. And of course, I tend to gravitate toward spring-like chartreuse green—perfectly suited for a cheery birthday greeting!

New designs to share

It's that time of year again, when we're making final preparations for the Stationery Show, and I thought I'd share some of our new creations we'll be launching. We have 3 new product lines and are so excited to unveil them in 2 weeks! Here's a sneak peek at some of our new greeting cards—these were designed to celebrate a boy's birthday. More to come over the next ~10 days!

National Stationery Show 2011

This past week was absolutely fantastic, spent in NYC at the 2011 National Stationery Show. Months of preparation and planning came together in what you see above: our corner booth on aisle 1100. We met many interesting and nice people, including our neighbors Fisk & Fern from Brooklyn. The preparations took a while, but not too long. Here's what we had to start with:

We also were finalists in the Best New Product competition (!), which meant we were able to place a board with selected note cards in the front lobby. This was a great way to gain exposure, and several people who came to our booth said they'd seen our products out front.

Now it's down to business! Following up and fulfilling orders. And thinking about next year...?

Show bound

It's official! JAKE & META will be exhibiting at this year's National Stationery Show in NYC in May. Now the booth prep begins, not to mention additions to our product lines for 2011. It feels like a huge step, but an exciting (and requisite!) move. I'll be sure to post progress notes interspersed with all the photos of nature I find so inspiring.