Take it from someone who has devoted much of her career to stationery: The stories behind stationery brands are nearly as interesting as the stationery itself. And, knowing that backstory invites a deeper appreciation and understanding of any house of paper.
Take Shades of Expression Designs. This family-run, multi-generational, women-owned operation consists of one very prolific artist mother, two daughters, and a granddaughter. All share a simple mission: Bringing happiness to your world.
Unsurprisingly, greeting cards are top sellers for this New Jersey house of design. “Our customers love the variety of designs and the different artistic techniques,” Mandy Bush — one of the two daughters I mentioned above — wrote me. “Many people have told us they are amazed that our one artist creates all our designs. We like to appeal to everyone in some way.”
So, inspired by life’s special and even magical moments — and the passions that make them so — offerings run the gamut from trendy to traditional, plus everything in between. What they all share however is a definite heartfelt quality, as you’ll see in the gorgeous sampling below. Choose from single cards or boxed sets of eight (four designs, two of each).
Wow — it’s hard to believe that this is just a very small sampling of the cards waiting to be discovered and sent out into the world. Start your card hunt here — and be sure to check out their art prints, button magnets, clipboards, coasters, journals, mugs, water bottles, notepads, pen holders, pocket notebooks, stickers, and zippered linen wristlets too!
All images courtesy of Garlic Friday
