I never feel a work trip is really complete until I compile my Market Report, and my NY NOW | Shoppe Object adventure was posted Wednesday at Stationery Trends — almost an entire week after my plane landed back at home! I am pleased to report that traffic was brisk at both markets. Several times, I stopped to visit a maker, only to find them smiling ear to ear like the Cheshire Cat about a dream order from a dream venue they’d just received.
Not only is stationery cool, it seems mass retailers are (finally) realizing small makers are too — and that they speak more honestly, directly and pertinently to their clientele than previously acknowledged. That is an enormous checkmark in our community’s corner, and hopefully a wave that lasts.
My Market Report ended up containing 40 photos, which is a lot, I know — but please realize, they were so difficult to whittle down from the 100s I took. Every last snap I captured over three days tells a story — and I want to share every last one. To achieve my grouping of 40, I actually narrowed them down from my first rough edit of 80-something photos. If 40 is a bit much, that’s *way* too long for trade coverage.
So, I decided to share one group here, with the last following soon thereafter. Please check out my ST report linked above, then swing back here for more stationery fun!
J’adore this sophisticated menagerie from this woman-owned brand. I’m standing in this booth in the photo kicking off this post, and Marina also made those fantastic poppies and (my favorite) Lilies of the Valley props. Très, très magnifique!
In card messaging, I sensed a palpable optimism — at least for those willing to do the work to evolve up the path.
Dogs *are* the new kids, and as such, they can’t just have *any* accessories. Those beds are also made of recycled plastic water bottles!
I nerd out over anything from this brand, but ESPECIALLY its range of house matchboxes.
It was impossible to not get excited by the great graphics — those flowers!! — and memorable messaging from this exquisite NY house of stationery.
This is indeed a most exotic wooly wonderland as her insta bio promises, but I’m not sure I’ve ever properly appreciated a peanut prior to this (sorry, Mr. Peanut!).
Funny how market in and market out, fantastic pattern, color and imagery (and crowds) always intersect at this booth!
Clearly, I am loving the belly band trend (as seen here in the current issue of Stationery Trends), and they were in abundance across stationery and gifts and home packaging. Not only do they often seem to replace plastic wrap, they add *such* a polished touch!
Socks are such a 2026-friendly category: inexpensive, giftable, both one-size-fits-all and gender neutral in this brand’s case — plus featuring the messaging once limited to stationery and bumper stickers.
Gorgeous artwork (this is by Asta Barrington) and luxe presentation set the stage for timeless, memorable messages inside.
Brillant messaging and exquisite layouts are a hallmark of this brand. While this is categorized as a Parents card, I think part of its strength is its very versatility. This could be given to a teacher, or anyone who has made an impact.
If you haven’t experienced Yuko’s enchanting work, time to change all that. She was the talk of *Noted since she apparently drew an incredible cat mural on the side of her booth in less than an hour! It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite design. I actually snapped this because Yuko told me it’s both autobiographical and anthropomorphic. That’s the artist on the left and her husband on the right! Ain’t love grand?!?
Iron-ons and stationery go together like peanut butter and jelly — especially when the iron-ons in question are this sensational!
Brittany put this sunshine state brand on the map with her distinctive bookmarks, but her cards are nothing to sneeze at either!
Illustrating Amy was a NY NOW incubator find. Amy Purfield-Clark is a Los Angelesian by way of her native UK, and her style seems to emcompass the best of both design vibes.
I first encountered watercolor palettes as part of a larger kit last year; now Jessica Frasz has started selling them singly and solo for inspiration on the go.
Dark humor is great, if it’s clever — and Jones Street Press always delivers, in Gen Z-friendly speak, no less.
There is something so irresistible about this range! The color, the lettering — and of course the (slightly unexpected) messaging.
If they can make paper out of stone that looks like this, imagine what you can generate with these tools!
This was a marvelous maker discovery a few rows outside of *Noted. I’m so glad this kind of merchandise exists for this generation of young women.
Despite a general feeling of optimism and indie excitement, there are still clearly plenty of challenges to navigate. Regardless, it’s always uplifting to see the transparency, honesty and solidarity that our indie community is known for in action. After 18 years in print, I remain so grateful to edit Stationery Trends, and getting to travel to markets to shape my coverage. Thank you NY NOW and Shoppe Object for being such fabulous hosts — and for housing all this inspiration!
