Stationery is having a well-deserved, long-awaited moment — and while this paper nerd is prone to confirmation bias, the evidence is everywhere! According to this very feel-good article from StudyFinds.com, 84% of Americans have adopted analog lifestyle choices, with 32% writing in notebooks, 31% reading printed books, and 28% using paper calendars. Down with digital!
Further evidence arises from last week’s fantastic Stationery Market, held at Alter Brewing Company in Downers Grove, Illinois. It was organized by a familiar face — one Debra Skinner, something of a Renaissance woman as she has also contributed three amazing articles for The Paper Nerd about the thriving Chicago stationery scene.
As Debra — a paper nerd extraordinaire if there ever was one — explained, “Anyone who has been to a stationery market or festival knows paper lovers will almost always turn out for a stationery event — but it’s not until you organize a stationery market in the middle of a Chicago snowstorm that you realize just how serious Chicago stationery fans are about supporting their community.”
The one-day event drew 500 paper nerds shopping 24 vendors from all over Chicagoland, including some first-time vendors / emerging artists. There were also five journaling meet-ups with over 100 attendees total, hosted by local stationery store Papel Arcano and three local stationery clubs: Rockford Stationery Club, Chicas Journaling Club, and Chicagoland Journal Club.
Debra graciously took this nerd’s questions.
SS: This is now your second ‘big’ market, although you’ve hosted/organized several other stationery events/workshops/meet-ups as well! What’s been your biggest takeaway so far about paper nerds in the wild and what they are seeking?
DS: I think by now it’s clear to most of us in the stationery community that paper lovers crave the tactile and tangible — they want to feel the paper in a notebook or experience the glide of a fountain pen across a page before they buy it. But what I’ve learned from hosting markets, events, and meet-ups is that the desire for the tangible extends, almost even more-so, to in-person community building. By now I’ve spoken to dozens or hundreds of stationery fans, both beginners and experienced, and the love of community is the single constant and most important factor across every single paper lover. As long as you’re hosting events that are tailored to this community and their desire to forge bonds, they are going to show up and support you every single time. Getting over 500 people to brave a Chicago snowstorm to buy some stickers is proof enough! It’s really about showing that you’ve put in the effort to learn about the stationery community and give back to it.
SS: What was your favorite part?
DS: My favorite part was speaking and making connections with people who are new to the Chicago stationery community! Of course, I always love yapping with old stationery friends and artists at these events, but the real magic is when someone new to stationery or journaling or planners says, “I think I’ve found my community.” There’s just something so rewarding about welcoming other people into the fold — the stationery community, especially in Chicago, is one of the most welcoming hobby communities I’ve ever encountered, and it’s definitely my favorite thing about it!
SS: Any hint of plans to come?
DS: In addition to markets, I have a few really fun workshops that I’ll be posting about soon for both new and experienced journalers. Whether you need a complete introduction to journaling or you’ve tried every journal on the market and you’re ready to make your own from scratch, hopefully there will be something for everyone! From a content perspective, I’ll also be starting a series where I blog and post about all of the stationery stores around the world I’ve visited so far. Spoiler alert: all stationery stores get five stars in my journal!
Thank you so much Debra for taking us through your event and behind the scenes too. I am really loving all the vendor shots, so since I can’t shop them, I’m sharing them instead.
Reviewing those, I am definitely experiencing a lot of FOMO + can’t think of a better way to spend a snowy day! Connect with Stationery Chronicles in the lesser digital domain, AKA Instagram, here. And, if you want to discuss Stationery Chronicles helping organize a stationery or craft event at your business, contact Debra through her website or email contact@stationerychronicles.com. Be sure to say that Sarah sent you!
