
<p>As of Monday, February 15, submissions for the <a href="https://notedexpo.secure-platform.com/a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://notedexpo.secure-platform.com/a">Noted @ *Noted Product Awards</a> are open, and I really hope every maker and retailer reading this submits. This awards competition features fantastic categories as well as a stellar panel of judges, all of whom can&#8217;t wait to see the depth of talent our industry offers. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/noted@noted-2-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10007534"/></figure>



<p>Since <a href="https://www.greetingcard.org/noted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.greetingcard.org/noted-the-greeting-card-expo/">*Noted: The Greeting Card Expo </a>is virtual this year, these product awards are a great way to celebrate our industry and community. I&#8217;m spotlighting last year&#8217;s winners throughout this post — ;please note, not one of these cards is eligible this year — ;everything has to have been introduced on or after January 1, 2021. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NCS_Noted_productline-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10007536"/><figcaption>2020 Best New Product Line, <a href="https://www.nextchapterstudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.nextchapterstudio.com/">Next Chapter Studio</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Here&#8217;s the categories; you&#8217;ll see some favorites from our inaugural year as well as some new players: </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Best Color Combo Card. ;</strong>Nothing instantly sets a mood like color, and we’re seeking the most alluring examples. Don’t forget to include color or kraft envelopes!</li><li><strong>Best New Product Line. ;</strong>Show us your new collections for 2021! We are seeking standout illustration and copy, as well as cohesion across the range.</li><li><strong>For Retailers Only: Best Greeting Card Wall or Display.</strong> ;If you have a store or even maintain a studio store, this is your chance to show off how you show off greeting cards. Whether your display is on the wall, or totally off the wall, we want to see your creativity!</li><li><strong>Best Tear-Jerker Card.</strong> ;This special category is reserved for those cards that splendidly capture heartfelt emotions during challenging or celebratory moments in life.</li><li><strong>Best Use of Profanity Card.</strong> ;Some may call these blasphemous, but we’re seeking the true visionaries of this vulgar vein.</li><li><strong>Most Beautiful Card.</strong> ;Send us your best and brightest dazzlers!</li><li><strong>Best CoronaCard. ;</strong>The pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives, which have been commemorated for posterity in cards. </li><li><strong>Snarkiest Card.</strong> ;Let’s go beyond “ok boomer” to get your most sarcastic offerings (for real!).</li><li><strong>Best “No Occasion”/”Just Because” Card.</strong> ;There’s always a good reason to send a card, and sometimes that reason is no reason at all.</li><li><strong>Best Card from a Rookie/Newbie.</strong> ;If you have been in business for two years or less, this is the category for you. Please share your best &; brightest performer!</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_0050-Flowergrams.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10007539"/><figcaption>2020 Most Beautiful Winner, <a href="https://inklingspaperie.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://inklingspaperie.com/">Inklings Paperie</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>And, I&#8217;m so proud to introduce our judging panel of esteemed paper peeps: </p>



<p>Audrey Woollen is the founder and creative director of <a href="https://urbanicpaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://urbanicpaper.com/">Urbanic Paper Boutique</a>, a nationally and internationally recognized stationery and gift brand in Los Angeles. Her boutique is located on the ever-popular Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice and over the past fifteen years of establishment Urbanic has attracted a great deal of press, a large social media following and has developed collaborative signature lines with some of the nation’s top designers as well as an Urbanic brand. ;Audrey has been a board advisor at the National Stationery Show, is on the editorial board of Stationery Trends Magazine, A judge for the LOUIE Awards, Top Drawer London, and the Noted @ *Noted Product Awards. ;She has been a brand consultant for emerging and established stationery lines, and in addition to the development of the Urbanic brand, Woollen has given dozens of talks and seminars both nationally and in Europe. ;She is a working momma and considered an industry leader within the stationery and design community.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/diephuis-audrey-Woollen-01-728x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10007699"/></figure>



<p>Chandra Greer is the owner of <a href="https://greerchicago.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://greerchicago.com/">GREER Chicago</a>, a stationery store in Chicago and online that&#8217;s been featured in national magazines including Dwell, Lucky, O Magazine, InStyle, Guideposts, Real Simple and Country Living. Chandra began her professional career as an oil movements analyst with Amoco, a job she left to pursue her MBA at the University of Chicago, taking a position as an account executive with Leo Burnett Advertising Agency upon graduation. Her personal interest in correspondence, beauty, intelligent thought and civility moved her to found Greer in 2000. ;Her biggest non-stationery passions are her family, social justice, books, fashion, sneakers — she&#8217;s a partner in a start-up that may revolutionize the sneaker industry — and travel. Chandra also serves on the Women&#8217;s Board of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. She and her husband Steve, to whom she&#8217;s been married for 30 years, have traveled to 90 countries, 60 with their oldest daughter Maya who&#8217;s 19 and 45 with their youngest Eva, who&#8217;s 16. Chandra is thrilled, honored and ;humbled to lend her famed eye to these awards! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/headshot_black_white-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10007700"/></figure>



<p>Chelsea Shukov started <a href="https://sugarpaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://sugarpaper.com/">Sugar Paper </a>in 2003 after falling in love with the beauty and simplicity of letterpress printing. In the years since, she has grown her company to include strategic partnerships with companies like Target, J.Crew, Harrods, and Paperless Post. ;Chelsea is a big believer in the magic of a handwritten note, and Sugar Paper ;is a trusted resource for their upscale, stylish and celebrity clientele.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/thumbnail_Chelsea_Sugar-Paper-1-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10007704"/></figure>



<p>Daniel Collier founded <a href="https://www.danrichgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.danrichgroup.com/">daniel<em>richards</em></a><em> </em>in 2001, based in Atlanta, Georgia, holding 20+ years of wholesale &; retail experience. Since its inception,<em> daniel</em>richards has grown to be one of the top gift and stationery manufacturers’ rep groups in the nation. In addition to its inaugural post in Atlanta, <em>daniel</em>richards has expanded to include a base in Dallas, Texas. In 2013, Daniel Richards Inc. expanded into retail with stores focusing on gift, stationery, and coffee in Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/danielcollier-5-copy-716x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10007706" width="780" height="1116"/></figure>



<p>I am also judging — ;you can learn more about yours truly <a href="https://thepapernerd.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://thepapernerd.com/about/">here</a>. </p>



<p>*Noted exhibitors receive one free entry and may submit up to four additional paid entries at $25 per entry for a total of five entries.</p><div class="inline-post clearfix"><div class="see-also byline">See also</div><div id="block-wrap-75246" class="block-wrap-native block-wrap block-wrap-23 block-css-75246 block-wrap-classic columns__m--1 elements-design-3 block-ani block-skin-0 tipi-box block-wrap-thumbnail ppl-m-1 clearfix" data-id="75246" data-base="0"><div class="tipi-row-inner-style clearfix"><div class="tipi-row-inner-box contents sticky--wrap"><div class="block block-23 clearfix"><article class="tipi-xs-12 clearfix with-fi ani-base tipi-xs-typo split-1 split-design-1 loop-0 preview-thumbnail preview-23 elements-design-3 post-10014901 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-favorites tag-autogami tag-bauhaus-museum-shop tag-casagami tag-citigami tag-design tag-greeting-cards tag-librairie-mollat tag-litogami tag-marc-lebas tag-sarah-schwartz tag-stationery tag-stationery-blog tag-stationery-design tag-stationery-designer tag-van-gogh-museum" style="--animation-order:0"><div class="preview-mini-wrap clearfix"><div class="mask"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/a-light-in-the-darkness/" class="mask-img"><img width="100" height="100" src="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=120%2C120&;ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=275%2C275&;ssl=1 275w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=372%2C372&;ssl=1 372w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=567%2C567&;ssl=1 567w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=24%2C24&;ssl=1 24w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=48%2C48&;ssl=1 48w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=96%2C96&;ssl=1 96w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=150%2C150&;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=300%2C300&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?resize=50%2C50&;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CASAGAMI-4PCS-bandeau-1200px-2.jpg?zoom=2&;resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1 200w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" /></a></div><div class="meta"><div class="byline byline-2 byline-cats-design-4"><div class="byline-part cats"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/category/favorites/" style="color:#b79b0d" class="cat">Favorites</a></div></div><div class="title-wrap"><h3 class="title"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/a-light-in-the-darkness/">A Light in the Darkness</a></h3></div><div class="byline byline-3"><span class="byline-part date"><i class="tipi-i-calendar" aria-hidden="true"></i> <time class="entry-date published dateCreated flipboard-date" datetime="2024-01-04T20:52:41+00:00">January 4, 2024</time></span><span class="byline-part likes-count"><a href="#" class="tipi-like-count " data-pid="10014901"><span class="likes-heart"><i class="tipi-i-heart-o" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="tipi-i-heart" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="tipi-value">0</span></a></span></div></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div></tipimidc>



<p>If you are not exhibiting, I strongly urge you to reconsider, but you can still be represented here! Submit up to four entries for $30 per entry.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/paper-hugs.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10007540"/><figcaption>2020 Most Encouraging, KB Paperie</figcaption></figure>



<p>Submissions will be accepted through April 18. At that point, the judges will score the first round of entries online. I will be reach out to the top three finalists in each category on April 28, and solicit nine card samples to be mailed to arrive on my doorstep by May 7. I will distribute those to the judges to use as we score the second round. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GoodJuju_191121_0008-2-1539x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10007698"/><figcaption>2020 Best Tear Jerker, <a href="https://www.hitchcockpaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.hitchcockpaper.com/">Good Juju Ink</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>We will be announcing winners Wednesday, May 19 from 5-6 pm EST! If you have any questions about any of the above, please don&#8217;t hesitate to reach out to me at sarah@thepapernerd.com. Otherwise, start your entry <a href="https://notedexpo.secure-platform.com/a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://notedexpo.secure-platform.com/a">here</a>. I can&#8217;t wait to see what you&#8217;ve been up to!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1009JB-SNAKE-FOR-NOTED-CONTEST-GWK.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10007535"/><figcaption>2020 Best Color Combo, <a href="https://girlwithknife.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://girlwithknife.com/">Girl w/Knife</a></figcaption></figure>


<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NhspvpIXIpQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>



<p><br></p>


Enter the Noted @ *Noted Product Awards!
