Grab a funnel cake and get comfy!

As a designer of stationery I often have leftover envelopes, paper and other supplies from projects. Lucky Star Press has joined up with other stationery designers for a Paper Carnival! We've cleaned our surplus of supplies and stocked our Etsy Supply Shops with paper goodies!

You can follow the carnival from location (blog/facebook) to location, every day for the next couple weeks. Watch for the hashtag #papercarnival on twitter to keep up to date and find out where the carnival is headed next! You can also follow the carnival on Facebook.

The Lucky Star Press Supply Shop is a great place for DIY invitations...we're stocked full of pretty little envelopes in a variety of colors. We also have these great Kraft boxes that hold 20 or so sets of A2 cards and envelopes. Great for gift giving or packing up orders.


After you visit our shop, make sure to follow the carnival to it's next pit stop, Parts and Parcels Supply Shop from the amazingly talented Carey at Lasso'd Moon Designs.

Aren't these the perfect format for a wedding program or menu? The ribbon isn't included, so you could customize to match your event.

Follow the carnial tomorrow on Carey's blog, Under the Moon. Happy shopping!

too many windows open

I just saw Chris Brogan, a social media advisor and author, say on twitter that he has too many things to do and has too many windows open. It was one of those moments where someone else describes exactly how you feel and somehow clarifies it for you. I think I've said it before, I have trouble saying no. I have trouble saying it to myself and to other people.

I started my stationery business about five years ago while I was working at a design firm full-time. I worked on it in the evenings until I quit the firm four years ago to do the stationery, while keeping some of my clients from the firm for freelance work. In the past four years that I've been doing freelance work I've never had to look for work. Through word of mouth, I'm consistently getting new projects and clients. (And I can't say no, remember?) So, I take them all on. I tell myself I can stay up until 2am rather than the normal 12am. I don't want to let people down and normally, they're fun projects.

But to be honest. I'm exhausted. So, as I think through this as I type...I think it's time to make some choices. A person can only go so long with little sleep and working all the time...or so I imagine, I'd rather not find out. I decided to post this in hopes of being held accountable. I've got more thinking to do...but if you don't see a post with some changes in the near future, yell at me, ok?

sneak peek

which do you like?

store spotlight: anjénu / chicago, il

I'm happy to post our very first store feature! The lovely Kristie of Anjénu in Chicago, Illinois has been carrying Lucky Star Press cards in her store since 2008. She graciously agreed to answer a few questions about her store and the products she carries.




1. Tell me a little bit about your store and what types of products you sell.
Anjénu is Wicker Park, Illinois' exclusive paper boutique, with bamboo-green walls and a charming personality. We offer handmade greetings, stationery, vibrant papers, and specialize in custom and couture wedding invitations.

2. What types of products do you sell the most of at your store?
Our number one seller is the Birthday Card along with Anniversary and Baby Cards. Boxed notes and fun little goodies never fall short!

3. What are some of your favorite products?
Usually the "new card"! :) When I get a new designer in or a new card from one of my favorite designers... I end up giving it to everyone I know. I get hooked easy! :)

4. Do you have window displays? If so, what inspires your displays? Yes... we change our window about once a month. Sometimes the weather or a new product or a color is the inspiration. Right now we're working on a wedding display with so many engagements happening out there!

5. Is there a product you carry that just doesn't get the love it deserves?
Yes. I am in love with blind letterpress and textured cotton papers. Maybe it is the packaging or perhaps others just aren't in love with it like me.

6. What is your best selling Lucky Star Press greeting card?
The Birthday Card, both the simple green candle and the pink cupcake. I also sell a ton of the Wedding Ring during peak wedding time!

7. How do you like to order and view products from your wholesalers?
I like to work directly with the artist, either through email or printed catalogs.

8. Anything else you'd like to share about running a retail location?
It's fun! It is definitely more than full time job... but so worth it! Meeting new designers and speaking to customers everyday is my dream job! :)





Thanks so much Kristie for being our first store spotlight!

Wish List: Sublime Stitching

While shopping at a bookstore in Cincinnati this past weekend, I came across Sublime Stitching, a company that sells do-it-yourself embroidery products. They are adorable! I love the stitchable stationery and baby bib embroidery kit. They have some wonderful books as well. I flipped through Embroidered Effects and the cover was beautifully textured with stitching. It has a ton of great patterns and project ideas.

all photos property of Sublime Stitching