wahhhhooooo!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAtIJOXGjn9TMckFyBhpxXyXupFsDtW4e6mTYAGNR6Simrluf208hJIFEcdwxuL4n_aUmJAGrdd22lbjBF8EQCp4-voNNBJqyAOazKlkdjh1im0nbP7HKBX1c7gJ42qxs_CyZr_rlFx4/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAtIJOXGjn9TMckFyBhpxXyXupFsDtW4e6mTYAGNR6Simrluf208hJIFEcdwxuL4n_aUmJAGrdd22lbjBF8EQCp4-voNNBJqyAOazKlkdjh1im0nbP7HKBX1c7gJ42qxs_CyZr_rlFx4/s1600/photo+3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fYkFlO2Vn682FtrrgWRzuhrKEyo-zqUf2gm1rFqBbmuxkjo8kBxfpnRSL6KwNcDfVNFtunjn_bw_b6hytgh_wEYFbOKnHsLywbTdoOOz2qUDnab8bE6YeGbyser4AEPshciQfU_k164/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fYkFlO2Vn682FtrrgWRzuhrKEyo-zqUf2gm1rFqBbmuxkjo8kBxfpnRSL6KwNcDfVNFtunjn_bw_b6hytgh_wEYFbOKnHsLywbTdoOOz2qUDnab8bE6YeGbyser4AEPshciQfU_k164/s1600/2.jpg" /></a><br /> <br />Yup. <a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/claClt57NHOvu" target="_blank">Doing this again folks</a>. A few of my print styles are in Indigo stores across Canada! A wider selection is <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/house-and-home/home-decor/frames-wall-decor/prints-wall-art/penny-paper-co/" target="_blank">available online </a>but you can find a few styles in stores. (Only two were left at the Eaton Centre so I was only able to grab that one particular style in a photo) Just a personal "OMG. OMG." moment. xoxoxox

wahhhhooooo!

  Yup. Doing this again folks . A few of my print styles are in Indigo stores across Canada! A wider selection is available online but you c...

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My art is now available online at Indigo!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNheagN7nlb7lAxm0R5E_F3JOSYSG5k4UXTTLTG-Q31Ny4Dw4-624DwxSQtbIJ8SRk4rsT4jY3LTZrZaU3ZUFBb2mWpHexOLsAL98-1QEjbT_CtIqSP44dvzROtgL5wXlzR7AoaKoUA0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNheagN7nlb7lAxm0R5E_F3JOSYSG5k4UXTTLTG-Q31Ny4Dw4-624DwxSQtbIJ8SRk4rsT4jY3LTZrZaU3ZUFBb2mWpHexOLsAL98-1QEjbT_CtIqSP44dvzROtgL5wXlzR7AoaKoUA0/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's official! I'm <i>really </i>excited to tell you that my art is now sold online at <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/house-and-home/home-decor/frames-wall-decor/prints-wall-art/penny-paper-co/" target="_blank">Indigo </a>as part of their expansion into <a href="http://chapters.indigo.ca/baby/nursery/wall-art/" target="_blank">Nursery decor</a>. <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/house-and-home/home-decor/frames-wall-decor/prints-wall-art/penny-paper-co/" target="_blank">They're carrying some of my favourite designs</a>, including <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/house-and-home/gifts/mod-hearts-art-print-8/882709155676-item.html?ref=by-shop%3ahouse-and-home%3aframeswalldecor-galwal-nrsy%3agallery-walls-nursery%3a20%3a" target="_blank">this new print</a> - which is a tweak on my best selling <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/collections/all-art-prints/products/hearts-regular-size" target="_blank">Mod Heart print</a> - but has the added detail of a gold foil heart and a little saying at the bottom. One major bonus to shopping at <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/house-and-home/home-decor/frames-wall-decor/prints-wall-art/penny-paper-co/" target="_blank">Indigo </a>- they offer free shipping on orders over $25, which is something I've taken advantage of (a lot). So when you're grabbing one of my prints, grab a gorgeous <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/sale/dotw-19-frames/?ref=by-shop%3ahouse-and-home%3aframeswalldecor-galwal%3agallery-wall-headband-mini%3amini-headband" target="_blank">frame </a>as well! (I've shown my prints in some of my favourite frames that you can buy)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EzIMkU2mVoEMdnbsxPmdnc-em0CakyY4g9AqgchqGApAJR0mDoF5zcw3x-T0A_W88FTHWAB3clAx-JvJFCckDAcjxubuF5EKDEc385ryr_1Qio7nq7K3RPsJhYJDhyphenhyphentsrFEXck18XyM/s1600/IMG_8185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EzIMkU2mVoEMdnbsxPmdnc-em0CakyY4g9AqgchqGApAJR0mDoF5zcw3x-T0A_W88FTHWAB3clAx-JvJFCckDAcjxubuF5EKDEc385ryr_1Qio7nq7K3RPsJhYJDhyphenhyphentsrFEXck18XyM/s1600/IMG_8185.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9K_-TYRlOhx-t66ygWaAiAwf64C8CaKPkg17EYkNYgnmVEFmy4RlBYXOXbzwp2z898m0I_0ywUt85T601gHJsUv9Neji_hsbXTo3M2K9GxkAxPYV3kfTma8SjigTOT9BzT-UQfX9ibXk/s1600/IMG_8191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9K_-TYRlOhx-t66ygWaAiAwf64C8CaKPkg17EYkNYgnmVEFmy4RlBYXOXbzwp2z898m0I_0ywUt85T601gHJsUv9Neji_hsbXTo3M2K9GxkAxPYV3kfTma8SjigTOT9BzT-UQfX9ibXk/s1600/IMG_8191.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Ps., <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/house-and-home/gifts/big-deal-art-print-white/882709155713-item.html?ikwid=big+deal&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=2" target="_blank">Although this print (see here)</a> is in the nursery decor, I have to tell you - that this particular print hangs in a lot of <i>offices </i>around the city, so if you don't have it for your office - you should probably get one. ;)<br /><br />Anyhow, I cannot even begin to tell you how much your support means to me, and has meant over the years. This major milestone is an amazing way to kick off my 10 year in business. TEN years! Crazy! So thank you for your support! xoxo Lindsay

My art is now available online at Indigo!

It's official! I'm really excited to tell you that my art is now sold online at Indigo as part of their expansion into  Nursery deco...

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business blabberings

A few business ramblings for today. I figure some people also are contemplating running their own business (or already are) so perhaps someone can relate, or find the occasional business blabbering interesting. I've included some links to sites / platforms that I use for a lot of my sites, which may be helpful if you're looking to start up a business.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKCVe2080Imxic6hTbfm5esciErK88BWtq8naPtpVoHaeJ4mzNrqAhmV7XBL-x1_dgPM7oeSG280YKa9XUSew1WtllOjjQiMx306mdErgPYKyoRKGrWKBJtLsrjsHDUopfTOhVYdsYPs/s1600/sugar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKCVe2080Imxic6hTbfm5esciErK88BWtq8naPtpVoHaeJ4mzNrqAhmV7XBL-x1_dgPM7oeSG280YKa9XUSew1WtllOjjQiMx306mdErgPYKyoRKGrWKBJtLsrjsHDUopfTOhVYdsYPs/s1600/sugar2.jpg" /></a></div><br />You've perhaps been to <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/" target="_blank">my shop</a> (seen above). I adore it. It's my baby, a website that has been a labor of love over the last nine and a half years. Within the last three years I've migrated to a new platform, using <a href="http://www.shopify.com/" target="_blank">Shopify </a>for the site, and I couldn't be happier. I love, love <a href="http://www.shopify.com/" target="_blank">Shopify</a>. (Highly recommend)<br /><br />Although my first love is my shop, <a href="http://prf.hn/click/camref:11l3pT/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fshop%2FThePennyPaperCo" target="_blank">I've quietly been reopening my Etsy store over the last month</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fmY96yvW1BAjH6-M8JovykmSzZNpaLTzMACwCCw2iDE0SAUYdFHXiLyF5nzKP16ZPhflDTdmBrdomlwL6N_jNZUpbRzCazFxA0nxyeSEsVCf7WcvJyBri-K5lSk23EdNZG88-I7CrDA/s1600/monogram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fmY96yvW1BAjH6-M8JovykmSzZNpaLTzMACwCCw2iDE0SAUYdFHXiLyF5nzKP16ZPhflDTdmBrdomlwL6N_jNZUpbRzCazFxA0nxyeSEsVCf7WcvJyBri-K5lSk23EdNZG88-I7CrDA/s1600/monogram.jpg" /></a></div><br />I used to do a lot of business on the site but I found managing <a href="http://prf.hn/click/camref:11l3pT/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fshop%2FThePennyPaperCo" target="_blank">the Etsy store</a> and my main shop <i>ridiculously </i>hard after Oscar was born. Two different order systems, two different ways of communicating with buyers (the etsy convo system vs. traditional e-mail) A few order mishaps happened, and that was enough to make me realize something had to change. I chose to focus my energy on my main shop, PennyPaperCo.com where I could brand the site as much as I wanted, and, have more design control.<br /><br /><i>However</i>, it always nagged me that I had left a pretty valuable tool for promoting my work - Etsy always was so good to me as a seller. My mind was battling the two - should I have one shop, or, could I realistically run two? Apart from running two, was it weird to have two different shops? <a href="https://signup.performancehorizon.com/signup/en/etsy" target="_blank">Then Etsy started the Affiliate program</a> and as a blogger got a different perspective .... I saw the work that Etsy was putting in to promoting their sellers. I saw that they were making amazing investments, and cared about the shops and getting as much exposure for the shops as possible. So with that new window into a different side of things, made me stop contemplating. This past Christmas I opened my shop back up pretty quietly - testing the waters to how it would work. A few orders came in and it seemed manageable, as long as I didn't offer <i>custom </i>products in the shop. I have a great order system in place for custom orders on my main store, so I'm keeping what is working and just offering my "ready to ship" prints on Etsy. This will hopefully eliminate any issues of order errors as I experience due to running two shops simultaneously.<br /><br />Sometimes as a business owner you have to go with the flow, and do things - see if they work - and if not, modify it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrhi0vyRbaujqCgsC2DSvo1X07n-LVACNbMkN75KYef58haBnNOcb1kZ_7KRW_hGnOv1kihlhEmtQIVc5nQtUCiDQ24luMmdSqq2LVg0EK-6OiMJ6H0RjQoQBjfaiNrDcvf6_MNOyOxg/s1600/sugar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrhi0vyRbaujqCgsC2DSvo1X07n-LVACNbMkN75KYef58haBnNOcb1kZ_7KRW_hGnOv1kihlhEmtQIVc5nQtUCiDQ24luMmdSqq2LVg0EK-6OiMJ6H0RjQoQBjfaiNrDcvf6_MNOyOxg/s1600/sugar2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Alongside updating<a href="https://signup.performancehorizon.com/signup/en/etsy" target="_blank"> the Etsy shop</a>, I've been working on my personal site more - I haven't really publicized it, but if you bought any of my artwork in any stores you would have seen a link to my portfolio site <a href="http://lindsaystephenson.com./" target="_blank">LindsayStephenson.com.</a> I have neglected the site for years, but when my art started to show up in retail stores, I had a focus and decided to use the site for branding. Can I tell you - one of the HARDEST things as a creative is to design your own website, and, write your bio. Gives me hives. Over the last few weeks I've been focusing on that site  - the photography, <a href="http://lindsaystephenson.com/" target="_blank">even a quick little video that features some of my art.</a> For this website I use <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/stories" target="_blank">SquareSpace </a>and I love them as well.<br /><br />I've also done some videos for the shop (like this one <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/pages/frame-ideas" target="_blank">on the framing page</a>, and this one on the <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/collections/accessories/products/crystal-embelishments" target="_blank">brooch product page</a>) I think video adds an element that shows a product better, so I'm trying to find ways of incorporating it more. It helps I have a producer for a husband, who offers me tips & tricks on what to do. (Thank you Aubrey) I've been buying stock music, which adds up, but allows me to find the perfect piece of music and it gives me the rights to use it for things like, advertising on my blog, website, youtube etc.<br /><br />Anyhow, thanks for letting me blabber on. This is just what has been occupying my time - product photo shoots, site designs, videos - I'm pretty lucky to have this as my job!<br /><br />xo Lindsay<br /><br /><a href="http://lindsaystephenson.com/" target="_blank">LindsayStephenson.com</a> --------> Platform, <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/stories" target="_blank">SquareSpace</a><br /><a href="http://pennypaperco.com/" target="_blank">PennyPaperCo.com</a> ----------------> Platform, <a href="http://www.shopify.com/" target="_blank">Shopify </a> / Designers who helped set it up; <a href="http://www.designlab.net/" target="_blank">DesignLab</a><br /><br /><a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/p/site-policies.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post contains affiliate links. </span></a><br /><br />

business blabberings

A few business ramblings for today. I figure some people also are contemplating running their own business (or already are) so perhaps someo...

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gift wrap inspiration

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZQzoPACZbrKn1y9yBEKpoLrN4rA8YdXXE7NfSeNgCYh5rx8M_ybKNP1gRc4B1G9lyDmdVfcy3Pm_HsJbdB0yiEgmOR5wNRyWbhAP6WIOdZXkowGd-uU9vF5XXJImjN5lTAIL89wt7M8/s1600/IMG_6792b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZQzoPACZbrKn1y9yBEKpoLrN4rA8YdXXE7NfSeNgCYh5rx8M_ybKNP1gRc4B1G9lyDmdVfcy3Pm_HsJbdB0yiEgmOR5wNRyWbhAP6WIOdZXkowGd-uU9vF5XXJImjN5lTAIL89wt7M8/s1600/IMG_6792b.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Over the last few weeks I've been focusing my attention on photographing things from <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/collections/holiday-wrapping" target="_blank">my shop</a> and above is one of those photoshoots - laying out some of the items from my store together to see how they worked. It is pretty reflective of what I love right now - gold, glitter, and of course, stripes. <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/collections/holiday-wrapping/products/herringbone-ribbon-3-4" target="_blank">And that <i>ribbon</i>.</a> Oh. That <i>ribbon</i>. Anyhow, that is it. Just a pretty photo. :) xo Lindsay<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/collections/holiday-wrapping" target="_blank">All products from The Penny Paper Co. </a>

gift wrap inspiration

Over the last few weeks I've been focusing my attention on photographing things from my shop and above is one of those photoshoots - la...

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new art prints in ikea frames

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJagOMV40KRAec6aUwH6hz7bBoU3hIXq9jyuaS1VAEUDkwKeZlX0fr9FV0By1pxvog8-Jc7G7qUllSh4-LiRxroSqcqF30mmcbZ4c6htJ8joeJK7-yn9ekquWP7xyGWUjhOnHZKBTkVw/s1010/IMG_4946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJagOMV40KRAec6aUwH6hz7bBoU3hIXq9jyuaS1VAEUDkwKeZlX0fr9FV0By1pxvog8-Jc7G7qUllSh4-LiRxroSqcqF30mmcbZ4c6htJ8joeJK7-yn9ekquWP7xyGWUjhOnHZKBTkVw/s1600/IMG_4946.jpg" /></a></div><br />I took some photographs of <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/collections/childrens-art-collection" target="_blank">some new prints I designed</a>. Oscar's room comes in handy for these photoshoots thanks to amazing light and his dresser. All of the prints are framed in Ikea shadow box frames - but instead of making them shadow boxes as they are intended I've framed them with the print right up to the glass - I prefer this look for these prints.<br /><br />Did you know Ikea had 50% off their picture frames this past weekend?!! I happened across the sale by chance and flipped out. (had a "start the car!!!" moment) I loaded up my car with a ton of frames and I've put it in my calendar that the sale happens around this time so maybe next year I'll be more prepared. (So do the same!)<br /><br />(Ps.,<a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/collections/childrens-art-collection" target="_blank"> the Beaver and the Moose </a>look ridiculously cute when hung together as they face one another.)<br />P.p.s - Happy Canada Day!

new art prints in ikea frames

I took some photographs of some new prints I designed . Oscar's room comes in handy for these photoshoots thanks to amazing light and hi...

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50% off calling cards

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuCD_tL0ZwWWjZeQ7G3Ub7xt1hhccxwo5IvSVjZveffCbBe65dA-ijtS-Bl0b1Y_FZ4iHsdfEJtu-sNEW21qMKfhOv7CtsVlFE-eJnXTXvnoj9JvdT2zI3kQpjx9YQjVNHwq7W7dOa6M/s1600/save.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuCD_tL0ZwWWjZeQ7G3Ub7xt1hhccxwo5IvSVjZveffCbBe65dA-ijtS-Bl0b1Y_FZ4iHsdfEJtu-sNEW21qMKfhOv7CtsVlFE-eJnXTXvnoj9JvdT2zI3kQpjx9YQjVNHwq7W7dOa6M/s1600/save.jpg" /></a></div><br />If you're on <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/pages/newsletter" target="_blank">my shop's e-mail list</a> you would have heard that I brought back calling cards to <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/" target="_blank">my shop</a> and about the crazy sale of 50% off that ran all last week. My calling cards been absent from my shop for almost a year while I searched for the perfect paper for the cards - so to celebrate their return we hosted a pretty awesome sale. Since it was <i>so popular</i> of a sale (and because a lot of the orders we did last week were for bloggers) I thought you may like to see the new designs and take advantage of the pretty crazy savings too. The sale have been extended <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/collections/calling-cards" target="_blank">until Friday - be sure to enter SAVE50 in the checkout and get 50% off the calling cards. </a> xo Lindsay

50% off calling cards

If you're on my shop's e-mail list you would have heard that I brought back calling cards to my shop and about the crazy sale of 5...

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you are a big deal around here...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq90lVUnDhMAphzIVGS0YYEbK9OabiRXV8BHDeQ7_2oTrtr_QtDgIEfdOnoGxIW8zhTCP_Q0WGYIv_cfF0qhF_SRc5xSGw9bnVx3L9wA7sw-OSOVMXjUzOXAJaPWtmFYXT1swn6WjFU0/s1600/IMG_2699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq90lVUnDhMAphzIVGS0YYEbK9OabiRXV8BHDeQ7_2oTrtr_QtDgIEfdOnoGxIW8zhTCP_Q0WGYIv_cfF0qhF_SRc5xSGw9bnVx3L9wA7sw-OSOVMXjUzOXAJaPWtmFYXT1swn6WjFU0/s1600/IMG_2699.jpg" /></a></div><br />I am working away over here on orders for the shop, so sadly no more progress on the bathroom design to report on. :(  Anyways, I needed to make up some buttons for a project and they turned out <i>so sweet</i>. I have some <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/collections/accessories/products/big-deal-button">available in my shop</a> but I would love to give some away. If you would like one, just comment below - I will hold a draw and pick ten winners. I know it is a super small giveaway but I thought that they would be sweet to send to some people. Anyways, comment below if you would like one - maybe tell me what the weather is like where you are, or just say hi. No pressure. I will draw ten people randomly on Friday. xo Linds<br /><br />P.s., <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PennyPaperCo">Did you know my shop as a facebook page</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">? Well, if you like my shop I would love a follow over there! xo</span>

you are a big deal around here...

I am working away over here on orders for the shop, so sadly no more progress on the bathroom design to report on. :(  Anyways, I needed to ...

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New York International Gift Fair

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2D9vnOMGefdCslfhe6CMyuWBc0K3_UkilLmkTVqlJsV27R7feAmOSB3-bgVH8R3_Fg39YbVz4yl6zODWV1e4z9bIu4H-PWcehe6hh97QOHYwYfLeMyaebFSxgKUqVFCi5x3r-Fj6TFc/s1600/giftfair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2D9vnOMGefdCslfhe6CMyuWBc0K3_UkilLmkTVqlJsV27R7feAmOSB3-bgVH8R3_Fg39YbVz4yl6zODWV1e4z9bIu4H-PWcehe6hh97QOHYwYfLeMyaebFSxgKUqVFCi5x3r-Fj6TFc/s1600/giftfair.jpg" /></a></div><br />The main reason for the trip to NYC this past week was to attend the <a href="http://www.nyigf.com/" target="_blank">New York International Gift Fair</a>. Although I've attended gift shows in the past, this was my first "big" show and I wanted to see if I could find some new items to broaden the selection in <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/" target="_blank">my shop</a>.  Here are a few booths that I drooled over - As you'll notice they are more decor related (what can I say, I'm a decor nut) but I did find some little gift items to bring into the store later in February. With me came my Mom, and Elise - a longtime friend who now lives in NYC but a few years back interned for me.<br /><br /><b>[PICTURES ABOVE]</b> <b>[1] </b><a href="http://www.cakevintage.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=6" target="_blank">Spoon Chandelier via Cake</a>. (Picture taken by Elise) <b>[2]</b> <a href="http://www.unclegoose.com/" target="_blank">Uncle Goose Toys</a> are ridiculously gorgeous. I'm sure I've seen their stuff around before but after seeing the products in person I'm obsessed <b>[3]</b> <a href="http://www.blablakids.com/Online-Shopping/knit-dolls" target="_blank">BlaBla dolls</a> will always be a favourite of mine - I loved how they were all displayed on the wall <b>[4]</b> The entire line (bedding and clothing) by <a href="http://robertarollerrabbit.com/" target="_blank">Roberta Roller Rabbit </a> made my heart skip a beat. <b>[5]</b> <a href="http://www.dashandalbert.com/" target="_blank">Dash and Albert Poufs</a>. Need I say more? <b>[6]</b> This print <a href="http://www.fairhopegraphics.com/" target="_blank">Fairhope Graphics </a>caught my eye. Beautiful for a nursery.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mMX634Tmhk7XLRlaLgJlp0Zu7F3i_ZCnNDrQk-ca7zs7iF6OI8G5bvy7fcLsgeTUOlUdkhu8HrSCJLTJbMtgtOCibfRnK47VbP6sMksh7VqGP09b085dMgJN8lTBUKuZ_Uc8kgx2iNA/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mMX634Tmhk7XLRlaLgJlp0Zu7F3i_ZCnNDrQk-ca7zs7iF6OI8G5bvy7fcLsgeTUOlUdkhu8HrSCJLTJbMtgtOCibfRnK47VbP6sMksh7VqGP09b085dMgJN8lTBUKuZ_Uc8kgx2iNA/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>[7]</b> <a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/" target="_blank">Jonathan Adler </a>always brings to the table awesome colourful designs - I wanted to walk away with that turtle stool!<b> [8] </b>I first noticed <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/gifts/Fine-Oatmeal-Shea-Butter-Lotion/609728606527-item.html" target="_blank">Barr-Co. in Chapters here in Toronto </a>and have since been a fan of their packaging and branding <b>[9] </b><a href="http://www.unclegoose.com/" target="_blank">Uncle Goose </a>Alphabet Blocks appeal to the typography nut in me. I'd love to pick this up for our house for a coffee table decor - it's just awesome.<b> [10.] </b>I always wanted the <a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/" target="_blank">Jonathan Adler </a>giraffe lamp for Oscar's room but it was always too expensive for me to justify, but I loved how they paired the lamp with the bright table.<br /><br />Anyhow, those are some of the booths that I loved at the show. I'll post more of the exploring I did in the city next week. xo Linds

New York International Gift Fair

The main reason for the trip to NYC this past week was to attend the New York International Gift Fair . Although I've attended gift show...

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prepping for gift show

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjj-BbZZOrMzlJq74ehdj_PYLTxftm9ZRSUHADfZFRi39b2XOIL_SJhX5yy-gu7svae8W_pZ7FU2c1WTHZOa30wbnEAq-no7Hu47JD1nR3SfnPmo5aytbcYIGM12j7zTRKlcew5-JaYfN/s1600/Untitled-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjj-BbZZOrMzlJq74ehdj_PYLTxftm9ZRSUHADfZFRi39b2XOIL_SJhX5yy-gu7svae8W_pZ7FU2c1WTHZOa30wbnEAq-no7Hu47JD1nR3SfnPmo5aytbcYIGM12j7zTRKlcew5-JaYfN/s1600/Untitled-7.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M-t7TqpPLsMMlxATL_-Tk_sCSGiJpYdrZ-s-Bf25cyVdncQjn5Agf8ptc68gKSC2z3TeNvhyq9r55xzhkOs8OU_F3HZfW-8J0Sf-JF9pZ27408vz8elOchII_5zE9I-rpMZAMcBMEipJ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M-t7TqpPLsMMlxATL_-Tk_sCSGiJpYdrZ-s-Bf25cyVdncQjn5Agf8ptc68gKSC2z3TeNvhyq9r55xzhkOs8OU_F3HZfW-8J0Sf-JF9pZ27408vz8elOchII_5zE9I-rpMZAMcBMEipJ/s1600/1.jpg" /></a><br />I'm getting ready for the<a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/pages/bishop-straughn-school-deck-the-hall-holiday-show" target="_blank"> gift show next week </a>so my dining room is filled with boxes of stock and my dining room table is acting as a pretend display table. It feels like chaos. For someone that likes organization + order, this is driving me a little bit insane.<br /><br />I'm not a stranger to shows, but it has been awhile so I feel a wee but rusty. I used to do the BIG shows and have BIG displays. Pop up signs, lights, tables, I thought that you had to look bigger for people to take you seriously. But this time I'm doing things a bit differently. Maybe it's a comfort in my own skin and after 8 years I've hit my groove. I'm scaling back on the investment of booth displays and going a little more organic. I don't feel like the booth has to stand out as much as I feel like the product will instead. It also is economical this change - the less money I invest in display, the more I profit from sales at the show. I'm keeping things simpler this year, and it feels nice.<br /><br />Once I've come up with a layout I'm happy with I'll snap photos much like I've shown above so I can remember the layout when I go to set up next week. And then everything gets back back into boxes so I can transport it to the show.<br /><br />Is it crazy to say I'm feeling exhausted and it's only November 7th? ;)<br />xo Linds

prepping for gift show

I'm getting ready for the gift show next week so my dining room is filled with boxes of stock and my dining room table is acting as a p...

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growing the business...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMnMsqtxrvZ9TCcUkpLUYPYKUnmipMWILNDHYz-VFVjrbYX-hYD6SHuHs0OuT0v1fL8oLRVcF2CN3__xmtUqrMT6DIqkEoiivwNz-AgmN5VfjEB3KQfYVTd3dE-8Z7gKlmu4HEwelLcj1/s1600/091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMnMsqtxrvZ9TCcUkpLUYPYKUnmipMWILNDHYz-VFVjrbYX-hYD6SHuHs0OuT0v1fL8oLRVcF2CN3__xmtUqrMT6DIqkEoiivwNz-AgmN5VfjEB3KQfYVTd3dE-8Z7gKlmu4HEwelLcj1/s1600/091.jpg" /></a></div>Today is my 8th anniversary of marrying Aubrey, and also, the official date that <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/">I started my business</a>. Two major life moments that have turned out to get sweeter with age.<br /><br />It's fitting to me that on the anniversary of starting my company, I reveal a new development in my business. As of a few weeks ago I signed with an art publisher. An art publisher is a company that produces high quantities of art for retailers. As an artist this is an <i>amazing </i>opportunity because I get to <i>create </i>but let my publisher take care of all of the other details such as selling, printing, shipping.<br /><br />Let me stop here to explain that I'm trying to write this post in a semi-professional way, but for the moment, let me stop, do a dance around my office, squeal a little bit with excitement, and I will now sit back down and compose myself.<br /><br />This is something I feel is perfect for my brand. Just a few short months ago <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/07/personal-post-life-observations.html">I made a decision to regroup & refocus on what I truly enjoy</a> - creating art, and building<a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/"> my company</a>. Although I'm beyond excited, I'm also somewhat nervous. For any artist reading this, that feeling should come as no surprise. Even after 8 years of creating art there are always nerves when putting work in front of a new audience.<br /><br />I'll still be selling prints <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/">in my shop</a>, but what this art publisher will be able to produce is unlike anything I can create myself - huge canvases, framed prints - it's amazing and I'm so excited. I'll be updating my website with stores where you may be able to find my work. But for now, I just wanted to announce this huge new development. Yay! xoxo Linds<br /><br />

growing the business...

Today is my 8th anniversary of marrying Aubrey, and also, the official date that I started my business . Two major life moments that have tu...

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running an online shop / prepping for the holidays

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYcjIuwrHScyGgxf6Hl1flYl0lqLy8Mx_5QGGu6ESFNf0mxtTGQZqIW_Je4QnJZgHvU0O12xLurM9n5ettez3_47MvknYWaMRPUDvmiHm6UojeyIpl0pHygWUP1M4TKGF5WyhdQM0X0IO/s1600/060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYcjIuwrHScyGgxf6Hl1flYl0lqLy8Mx_5QGGu6ESFNf0mxtTGQZqIW_Je4QnJZgHvU0O12xLurM9n5ettez3_47MvknYWaMRPUDvmiHm6UojeyIpl0pHygWUP1M4TKGF5WyhdQM0X0IO/s1600/060.jpg" /></a></div><br />A little break from home stuff..... I'm organizing and prepping my<a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/" target="_blank"> office/studio</a> for Christmas. <br /><br />I know that sounds nuts but for the last 8 years of running my shop I've come to realize that getting ready now helps make my busiest 4 months of the year run smoothly. Although running an online store and a bricks and mortar location are <em>very</em> different - I think one similarity is an online store requires the same "editing" of product and attention to merchandising.  If you walk by a storefront that hasn't changed its window display in 4 months, you tend to feel as though the inside of the store hasn't had any updates either. This is why I like to try to rotate things in the store, so it continually feels fresh.<br /><br />Now is the time that I start planning out the release of new products, I look over my existing inventory and remove designs that aren't selling. I'm taking product photography (like the photos above), re-evaluate the fonts I use. I look back at when I did sales in previous years and I have notes to what did well. I either plan to do the same sales, or switch things up a bit. This process can take weeks and weeks and although time consuming it is <em>really refreshing</em>.<br />In the last month there have been some cool new developments with my art. They have yet to blossom into something substantial enough to talk about but the news was enough to make me giddy about the future. This is a nice spot to be in vs, <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/07/personal-post-life-observations.html" target="_blank">how I was feeling 2 months ago</a>. <br /><br />I thought I'd post on the process of editing & prepping for the holidays. As running your own online store becomes easier for everyone (<em>way easier</em> than when I started 8 years ago) I thought I'd give some insight into some of the important things to keep in mind in maintinain a store. <br /><br />Anyways, back to the house. The kitchen has two things left before I can take the reveal photos. The grouting, and adding the valance by the under cabinet lighting. It's hard to finish the little stuff once a kitchen is usable and looks not so bad. You kind of keep putting things off. But I think Aubrey is grouting today, so that will be nice. :)<br /><br />xo Linds

running an online shop / prepping for the holidays

A little break from home stuff..... I'm organizing and prepping my office/studio for Christmas. I know that sounds nuts but for the la...

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