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The Paper Journal

Filtering by Category: Books & Reading

The Knight Butcher Reception

Elizabeth Fanslow

Join us for the Knight Butcher Cookbook Reception!

This Thursday, July 20th, 6-7:30 pm, you’re invited to help us celebrate the collaboration of two small downtown businesses at the paper shop.

We've partnered with the Knight Butcher to sell their coloring cookbook created and written by Terri Knight, and drawn and designed by her friend and colleague, Bridget Prater, of Blended by Bridget.

Terri will be preparing recipes from the cookbook for you to taste and experience, so make plans to grab a glass of wine and taste some of her delicious creations.

Terri and Bridget are attending the reception, so you'll be able to chat with and support both women and ask them any questions you have about their endeavor to create a family-friendly cookbook with simple recipes customized to your family's tastes.

This book lets your kiddos color the pages, and then you and your husband can cook dinner with some help from your kids. Besides, dinner is about coming together to spend time with one another anyway, right?

We hope you drop by and come spend some time with us as we celebrate this brand-new collaboration and even pick up a copy for yourself after sampling some of the recipes! See you there!

We're Focusing on Intention This Quarter

Elizabeth Fanslow

The team at Be Amazing Paper Company is focusing on Intention during the second quarter and we're starting with listing ways that we can be more intentional in our day to day life.

Here's a little journal download to help you get started if you're interested in joining us.

Click Here to Download!

Making Intentional Choices

Elizabeth Fanslow

Do you know that feeling when you first meet someone, and you instantly click? The conversation flows because you both live by and communicate with the same ideas and beliefs. You know you're going to be friends because your values already align. 

That's how Elizabeth felt when she read about the inspiration and mission behind Eeboo Piece & Love. While looking for new inventory, Elizabeth discovered Eeboo. 

Mia Galison founded this woman-owned, mother-run toy company, and she based the whole business around designing toys to nurture children's creativity and curiosity while cultivating meaningful communication - all without a computer or phone. Mia wanted her children to grow up learning to free play, ask questions, and discover the world around them, but Mia didn't feel like the toys she found were delivering in those departments. She decided to fill the void with eco-friendly, no-tech toys (Paper) decorated with art by children's illustrators - a detail that made her new spin on "old school" classic games stand out in the market. We love how she took games we all grew up playing - Old Maid, Crazy 8s, Rummy, and Go Fish - and turned them into more beautiful and kid-friendly versions with vibrant colors and pictures on each card. 

Eeboo's values of cultivating more original thought, life-long learning, more personal communication, and creativity resonated with Elizabeth because it's what she aims to inspire in customers when they walk through her shop. At Be Amazing, we hope to inspire you to create something when you walk through our shop and see our calligraphy workbooks and pens, a card to send to a friend, or a book that piques your interest in a topic you'd like to learn more about. We focus so much on paper - cards, journals, and books - because we, like Mia at Eeboo, feel it's the time away from screens and notifications where it's easier to learn, feel inspired, and really connect with your friends and family. 

If you have littles in your life, come by the shop to pick up - remember these? - a paper doll set, an educational time-telling game, or puzzles for your preschoolers to learn colors and numbers. We're so glad we found such a conscientious toy company that believes as much as we do that old school is the best school when it comes to learning and being creative as a child and as an adult.

You can shop online on our website for these amazing products by CLICKING HERE!

My Favorite Books for 2022

Elizabeth Fanslow

I read quite a few books in 2022 and normally my book genre of choice is business books. I have read them most of my adult life and I have learned so much from them. I will never pass up a good business book, but this year my attention moved toward books that dug a bit deeper both personally and for the paper shop.

While I have read a ton of fiction books this year as well…these four books made the most impact:

1.    Little Stories of Your Life – Laura Pashby

2.    If you find this Letter – Hannah Brencher

3.    The Forever Letter – Elana Zaiman

4.    I Want to Thank You – Gina Hamadey

The Little Stories of Your Life book by Laura Pashby was my most favorite. The book shared all about storytelling using pictures and your words. "Find your voice, share your world and tell your story." I've always loved to take pictures of things that create an emotion within me. If anyone were to look at the pictures on my phone they might be confused as to why I took the picture - and that is why I fell in love with this book. It teaches you how to create stories around the pictures...how to share the emotion of what you were feeling at the time you took the picture. How to share memories, observations...snippets of time.

If you find this Letter by Hannah Brencher was the book that started the Laurel Love Letters program. I loved reading Hannah's story about how she started writing letter to strangers and the impact those letters had on others. Those letters helped Hannah almost as much as they did the strangers she wrote them too...her memoir was moving and it helped me create some love in Laurel and we will continue to do special events with Laurel Love Letters!

The Forever Letter written by Elana Zaiman was another one of my favorites that I happen to stumble upon and I am so glad that I did. This book was inspired by a centuries old Jewish tradition called the ethical will. Zaiman shares her mission of why it's so important to write that forever letter to your loved ones. It's about passing on "wisdom, humbling experience, dreams, and love from one person to another." If you're not sure how or where to start...Zaiman gives you all the instruction and direction you will ever need!

I Want to Thank You by Gina Hamadey was a book about her project of sharing a year of gratitude through thank you letters. Her reasoning for doing this project was to 'reconnect parts of her life that she missed, to put something positive out in the world, to return to something she loved which was to write with pens and paper, to get in touch with people who mean something to her...and most importantly to see what would come of it.' She chose 12-themes (one for each month) and it was so interesting to hear her process of how and why she sent thank you cards to specific people.

You may not have heard of any of these books before or these authors, but I think that is always the fun of finding new books and learning from them. While it is fun to read fiction...it's not always my favorite. I much prefer a good book with a good message. Something that teaches, mentors and shares an opportunity for growth!

How about you? What are some of the books you've enjoyed this year? Share in the comments below.

Come Celebrate With Me!

Elizabeth Fanslow

Mark Saturday, August 6, 2022 on your calendar...why you might ask?

Well for one thing it is National Stationery Store Day and you know we will be celebrating! But it's more than that...we will be celebrating our 1-Year Anniversary!

Can you believe that our little shop will be one-year old in August?

I am not sure where the time has gone but I have to admit it's been one of the best years of my life! Who would have thought that our crazy idea of opening a paper / stationery store at the end of a long COVID run and on a street in Laurel, Mississippi that was under full construction would have gotten us here?But I am thrilled that we are still here and not just surviving but thriving and it is thanks to all of you! Your support and love of paper has started to create a movement here in Laurel and it just makes me giddy with happiness!And to celebrate we are having a week of fun - so don't miss it!

Here's a sneak of our current schedule - we will post more on our Instagram and Facebook pages next week!

Monday, August 1, 2022 - National Girlfriend Day

Take a look at the new Hey There Girl card created for National Girlfriend Day 2022!

These will be available in the shop and online on July 27, 2022 for purchase. Don't miss the opportunity to let your girlfriend know how important she is to you with this sweet little note. Blank on the inside and ready for your heartfelt message!

Purchase Online

AND THE BIG CELEBRATION…

Saturday, August 6, 2022 - National Stationery Day & Be Amazing Paper Company 1-Year Anniversary CelebrationYou might be wondering what National Stationery Day is, am I right? National Stationery Store Day was created to help support local paper and stationery stores. Support is more than stopping into the shop and spending money…support comes in many forms. -Supporting your local stationery shop means sharing their social media so that others can learn about them and what they do.-Supporting your local stationery shop means referring them to your family in friends when you find something you love there!-Supporting your local stationery shop means buying local instead of on Amazon and big box stores!-And on 08/06/2022 - support means stopping into the shop and celebrate with us! Stop by between 11AM-2PM to celebrate!

Here's a few ways we're celebrating...

-For the first 20-customers who spend a minimum of $10 you will get one of our amazing goodie bags filled with fun paper and stationery goods! There will also be some discounts and 5 people will receive a special customized offer for a box of stationery for FREE!

-Don't worry if you're not one of the first 20...we will still have something for you too! You'll get one of our limited edition one-year anniversary notecards to mark the occasion. And we have more goodies to give away too!

-Bring the kiddos - because you know I always have fun goodies for the kids. Getting kids excited about paper, pencils and all the things in letter writing is my passion, so we do our best to make sure it's fun for them.

PS - We'll have some yummy food and deserts for you to enjoy as well! You don't want to miss it!

Books...Books...Books!

Elizabeth Fanslow

Books are my love language...and if you've been in my paper shop you know that we carry a small but mighty selection of books. 

From best sellers to some great business books and some interesting books on Mississippi. Click here to check out the books that are currently in the shop!

Did you know that we can order most any book you might want! No need to order through Amazon - we can order and you can pick up in the shop or we can ship to you. 

Are you part of a book club? We can order books for your book club - based on the quantity we can give discounts on the purchase price.

Stop by the shop and see us or you can shop online at beamazingpaperco.com

New Year & New Mission - Welcome to 2022!

Elizabeth Fanslow

Hello & Happy New Year!

I can't believe our shop opened a little over 5-months ago. 

When I started this little paper store in Laurel, MS…my goal was to bring a nice greeting card, stationary, and book store to the people of Laurel and to those that visit this marvelous HomeTown. But over the months that I have worked in the shop, day in and day out…a new vision has come to life for me.

When people come into my shop…usually the first thing they see is a wall of cards…greeting cards, birthday cards, thank you cards, sympathy cards…I have so many wonderful vendors that make these beautiful cards. And you will also be seeing more printed cards made in our shop this year as well!

These are women-owned businesses in the United States and they make their cards by hand. I hand pick the cards that go on that wall…my hope is that there is something there for everyone. But it goes a bit deeper than that. 

It’s my wish for people to come in my little shop and find a card…that when they read it…they say…Oh I need to get this for “whoever that may be.” 

I hope that when you lose someone dear to you, that you will come into the shop and pick up a card so that you can send a handwritten sympathy note - because that card will mean so much to the person who needs it the most. 

My hope is that when someone has done something really nice for you that you come in and pick up a card that will tell them how much you really appreciate having them in your life.

I love having a group of women friends come into the shop and go straight to the card wall. They laugh and share the funny cards with each other, and they select a few for those important people who deserve…or need them. This happens several times a week and it never stops feeling good! 

And I love that we now have regulars that come in and buy cards for the people in their lives.

I love when you come in the shop looking for that perfect journal or planner because I understand the need to have that paper journal to write you thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams in. And that planner that you need to help keep your days, weeks, and months - and life organized. It’s about the creative process and I love that you get that.

We also have had several folks walk in or call about creating personalized stationary or notecards…and that makes me giddy inside! I love that people want to send notes and better yet…they want to handwrite them on a notecard made by me…in my little shop…in Laurel, Mississippi. 

There is no better feeling inside for me,  than creating a set of notecards, invitations or business cards for someone…I hope they know and understand the love that I put into each order as I box them up and send them on their way. Every order is made with care and each piece is created and touched by us…and I love that!

So my mission this year, in 2022 is to help people:  

  • send more letters, cards, or notes to those people in your life that you love and want to support, wish them a happy birthday, tell them thank you…or just to let them know you are thinking about them. Think about how they will feel when they know you took the time to pick up card, add a handwritten note and drop it in the mail. It’s such a ‘feel good’ thing!
     

  • step away from their keyboards for a while and pick up a beautiful pen or comfortable pencil and spend more time writing…spend more time with your thoughts…journaling and leaving a legacy! You many not think about it, but what if you could leave a journal filled with your thoughts, advice, or life for those that you love? I think about what my kids will know about my life when I am gone…I hope my journals will tell them the life I lived.
     

  • pick up a real book that will either take their minds away from everyday life…or teach them something new and help them grow. I want everyone to feel a real book in their hand and have the ability to learn from the amazing authors that take the time to write them for us.
     

  • get kids more interested in writing and sharing their thoughts. I don’t want our children to grow up not knowing how to write a thank you note or a letter. If our children don’t see us doing it, will they know the importance of doing it? Does your child know they should send handwritten thank you note when they get gifts? I want to help share  the importance of letter writing with our younger generations.

Because I think we all need the love of a card, the time to be with our own thoughts in a journal, and learning and growing our minds by reading more books! To help support my mission the Be Amazing Paper Company will be hosting some special events in 2022 and we can’t wait to share them with you! 

Thank you for your support in 2021 – we couldn’t do what we do without your support of our business! Richard and I hope that you all have an amazing New Year and that 2022 brings you peace, love, and joy!

The Little Laurel Book Shop

Elizabeth Fanslow

We finished our little book nook last week and I love the way it turned out. We added a bit of wall paper to the back wall and kept the fun turquoise table. Our contractor Terry came in and built custom books shelves to match our greeting card shelves and the look came out exactly as I had envisioned it.

Our goal in adding the book section to the shop was to carry recently released fiction and non-fiction books along with some of our old past favorites. We will be continually adding new releases!

Our little Laurel Book Shop makes my heart happy. Stop in and take a look...and if you're not local you can browse our books online.

Books...Books...Books...

Elizabeth Fanslow

I am having the best time with our new little paper store in sweet Laurel, Mississippi. It's all the wonderful things that I enjoy most in life...journals, planners, books and of course the design work. 

But one of the things that I might be enjoying more is reading fiction again. It feel like forever since I have enjoyed a good fiction book. Most of my reading has revolved around business for the last 20-years. I remember, what seems like 20-years ago, when I used to love reading James Patterson books. They were my escape from day to day life and, of course, Patterson is such an easy read. However, I haven't read one of his books in so long.

Last week when a gentleman came into the shop in search of a book that he wanted to read while vacationing in Laurel. The author of that book Rick Bragg - he informed me writes for Southern Living and as soon as he said...I knew who he was talking about as I read Southern Living from cover to cover every month. After talking to him for a bit and hearing him talk about why he wanted to read the book made me realize that I have been missing out on reading beautiful books and novels, that have nothing to do with business, and more to do with life, love and living. By the way, that book The Speckled Dog is now available in the shop. I think I will have to start reading that one next.

Last week I ordered Where the Crawdads Sing for the shop. I'd heard about how good it was but just never picked it up. So before the books got here I started reading the book on my iPad and I can't seem to put it down. It is an amazing story and I feel like I have missed out by not reading it before now. 

As much as I love a good business book...there really is more to life than reading about business all the time...

Bringing Back that Personal Touch!

Elizabeth Fanslow

SAM_5940.jpeg

Story written by the City of Laurel:

(Photo Courtesy of Brandy Thornton - Jones County Chamber of Commerce)

Elizabeth Fanslow has always loved paper, stationary, and the connection that sending cards and letters fosters between people. On Wednesday, September 29, at 11:00 a.m. Fanslow and the Jones County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the ribbon cutting of Fanslow’s new stationary shop, Be Amazing Paper Company.

The shop is located at 513 Central Avenue in downtown Laurel and features a variety of journals, planners, postcards, greeting cards, stationary supplies, stickers, and books including Fanslow’s own “Be Amazing: 9 Critical Skills to Becoming an Inspiring Leader.”

Fanslow said that she will also be offering custom design services. 

This has been a busy year for Fanslow. In April, she and her husband, Richard, moved to Laurel from Florida since his job had him traveling throughout many of the states on the Gulf Coast.  Since then, they have secured a store in downtown Laurel, completed major renovations to the space, and opened the business to the public on September 17. (correction August 17)

This is her first retail store but in her role as a consultant, she has helped several business owners to get their own businesses started and started a lot of businesses for her clients. Helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals is another of Fanslow’s passions. Because of this, all of the cards in her shop are created by women business owners in the United States. 

Store hours are Tuesday- Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.  Customers can also follow the store on Facebook, Instagram, and through its website at beamazingpaperco.com .