Part of the magic of stationery is its very accessibility and simplicity. Anyone can modify it to suit a larger message, whatever that message that may be. Sometimes that message is larger than all of us — for example ending ageism, or supporting migrants — and sometimes it’s as simple as “happy birthday.”
What every last missive shares is that each has the potential to outlive us — and then some. So, that wise and loving message you wrote your child on her first day of third grade will read exactly the same 25 years from now. Thus, though the sheets may be flimsy, they’re more powerful than you think!
Speaking of time, I write a lot about the necessity of younger generations to make stationery their own in order to sustain the medium. But, they don’t get stationery all to themselves! My generation, Gen X, was definitely doing stationery long before it was cool.
But don’t take my word for it. Meet Polly Taylor of Out On a Whim Greetings, who reached out to me back in June:
Hello Sarah!!!
I love Stationery Trends and The Paper Fold. I first heard you on The Retail Whore and started listening immediately. I have always been a stationery girl, and love that there is such a strong community out there of other paper peeps! I recently had someone at a show look at me with a tilted head and said, “Good for you for making cards. No one sends them now. Good luck!” Eye rolls … she just isn’t one of us!
I am 57 and have been creating greeting cards since 2001. I started my first line for my retail store that I had at the time. I still have a box of cards I bought in University to decorate my dorm room and cards I’ve collected over the years.
Out On A Whim Greetings is my company. I have sweet illustrations paired with sayings that range from sweet to sassy to sweary. I also make Bottle Notes (wine & alcohol tags), bookmark cards, journals, calendars and 5×7 prints I call Hang Ups.
I would love to be featured any way you see fit!
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Polly
Polly was definitely speaking my love language, so I definitely had a few questions for her!
SS: Congrats on making cards for 20+ years! How has your work changed over that time?
PT: Thanks! For most of those 20+ years all of the cards were drawn and colored by hand. It sounds crazy, but I loved it. When I started attending larger markets I printed the outline and text and still hand coloured. Now…they are just printed. My initial line was always sweet. Cute illustrations with lovely words. I was at a two-day show in 2017 and the cards were selling, but I felt they should be doing better. After the first day, I went home and made four new designs with sassy sayings … they sold out. I knew I was onto something. I added lots of sassy to the range and then started slipping in some curse words. I have never looked back. We, for the most part, love a good F-bomb on a card or journal. I now offer Kleenex at shows, because the people are laughing so hard. I love it.
SS: There aren’t too many fellow Gen Xers in our space. What do you think we bring to the stationery table?
PT: Life! We have lived through most of what life has to offer … good and bad. I think we have a gift of being able to see through that lens and bring that experience to whatever table we sit at.
I remember listening to two women read my cards at a show several years ago. As they were reading out loud, I recognized my life in the sayings. Love, marriage, divorce, kids, friendship, hardship. Now, grandkids, aging parents, new love and always friendship.
SS: Tell me about your Charity Card.
PT: This is something that I have wanted to bring to the Out On A Whim table for quite some time. Originally, I was going to have a different card/charity each month, but I have now decided to have a collection of 4-6 that will be available all of the time. Currently, I offer one card that supports our local hospice. I chose this charity, because my step-mom passed away last October in hospice. This was a new space for me, and I was so thankful for the level of care they gave all of us. I am hoping to add three new cards shortly.
SS: Where would you like your range to be in a few years?
PT: In every stationery store in North America … wink wink! In a perfect world, a healthy wholesale business, a flourishing online biz and a few select in-person shows. I feed off of the energy I receive from customers at in-person markets. There is nothing like it. The happiness and laughter is infectious and spirit bolstering and life’s work affirming! It is a lot of work for a Gen Xer. Hauling the booth walls, constructing the booth, merchandising and then usually 10 hour days. The longest show I do is the Winter One Of A Kind Show in Toronto, which is 11 days. I have some relief, but I do it all myself for the most part. I would love to have a storefront, but not sure I want to give up the flexibility of working at home.
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Thank you so much Polly for reaching out, dropping in and taking my questions! Paper nerds, start your shop here, and if you are in the trade, start your wholesale inquiry here.
