How To Dress Up Your Notecards

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The Answer is in How You Write the Envelope

These past few weeks I have been playing with envelope designs…and I wanted to see if they made a difference to the receiver of the notecard.

When we get a handwritten note in our mailbox we get excited …but what about when you see a fancy designed envelope with your name and address?

I love this Facebook post from my sweet friend Karrie in Ohio. I sent her a beautiful vintage notecard with a note to let her know I was thinking about her and I also created a beautiful printed envelope to send it in…I love how she noticed the envelope immediately.

It’s that extra added beauty that makes people feel loved. And don’t worry…you don’t have to run yours through a printer to make it beautiful…you can create a gorgeous envelope through art, beautiful lettering, and stickers.

My handwriting is not the greatest. I suffer from arthritis in my hands and so writing can sometimes be painful for me. But I have a system that helps me…I use a piece of hard backer board to help me keep my writing straight and more consistent. It improves my handwriting, keeps my lines straight and uniformed and for whatever reason…my hand hurts less.

Here are some fun ways to make your envelopes beautiful:

1. Rubber Stamps - I have some beautiful rubber stamps that are bordered and one that says ‘Kindly Deliver To”’ that I love to use. They can be used around the mailing address to give your envelope an extra pop.
   

2. Try mixing up the sizes of your handwriting for the mailing address. For instance make the name a bit bigger than the mailing address (line 2 & 3) and then drop the zip code down on a line by itself and make it the same size as the name.
   

3. Instead of writing your return address on the front of your envelope…buy some beautiful return address labels to add the back of the envelope flap. We also will print your address on the back flap of your envelopes that come with your notecards - we can make them look beautiful for you.
   

4. Another fun add is to use washi tape on the back flap of your envelope. Make sure you really seal it on the envelope or it will get ripped off during the mailing process. I have also added clear scotch tape across it to hold it in place. It really depends on the stickiness of the tape.
   

5. You can also add stickers to your envelope - again making sure they adhere to the envelope really well or you will lose them.
   

6. And my favorite…if you are an artist or just creative you can create beautiful designs on your envelope.
   (Just make sure your address stays clear and readable.)

There are so many ways to dress up your envelopes - tell me what is your favorite way to make your envelopes stand out?

National Smile Day Card Challenge!

National Smile Day - May 31, 2024

I don't know about you but a smiling banana makes me smile! HaHa!

No seriously we're celebrating National Smile Day (May 31st) with a Card Challenge and we want you to join us! The week of May 26th through June 1st we're on a mission to make our people smile! 

For 7-Days, Send 7-Cards to 7-People!

And we created the most fun card to use for your challenge - you can purchase this pack of 7-cards to use for your challenge and reach out to 7-people and make them smile. 

How do you make them smile you ask? Well just hearing from you will make them smile. Letting them know you were thinking about them will make them smile and knowing that you took the time to handwrite a note and mail it...well that will really make them feel loved and special, and will definitely make them smile!

So grab your pack by clicking here!

You get 7-cards for your challenge along with lime green envelopes for only $11.55!

Come join us for this fun card challenge!

AN INTERVIEW WITH A PAPER LOVER . . . FEATURING BRANDY THORNTON

Paper notes and notecards carry so much intent and meaning, and we wanted to hear some paper lovers put that meaning in their own words. We hope you enjoy this first installment of our Interview series! If you’re a paper lover, and you’d like to send in your own responses to these questions and be featured in our next blog, please email shop@beamazingpaperco.com with your responses! We can’t wait to hear what a handwritten note means to you.

Question 1: What makes a paper note or card special to you?

The message written by a friend or loved one makes the note or card special to me.  While the words written are what I love the most, also just knowing that someone thought of me and took the time to write out a handwritten note and put it in the mail to me in this time of text/email means so much!  I love friends and loved ones that, like me, favor snail mail over digital correspondence!

Question 2: How do you typically craft the messages you include in your cards?

OFten times, I'm writing someone to say hello, to check in and see how they are doing, or I'm writing them for a specific occasion such as a birthday.  I also like to send cards to friends and loved ones on the anniversary of a loved one's passing or a day that I know is hard for them for whatever reason just to let them know they are thought of and prayed for as they face that hard day.  I also love to send cards out to remind friends and loved ones that I am thankful for them and their friendship.  Those 'just because' cards are so fun to send too because you know that the person receiving it will be so surprised to receive a card and that's just so fun!

Question 3: What feelings or emotions do you experience when you receive a card in the mail?

Opening up the mailbox to find a card from someone instantly puts a smile on my face! Receiving a card in the mail makes me feel loved and special.  Receiving a card in the mail reminds me that someone thought of me and that's a wonderful feeling! 

Question 4: Have you ever kept a card for a long time after receiving it? If so, what made you hold onto it?

A fun fact about me is that I've kept all the cards I've ever been given!  I have boxes of cards and letters I've received throughout my lifetime! I have the birthday cards from my first birthday and every card, note, and letter I've received since!  I keep these cards in boxes I call my "Joy Boxes" because it brings me such joy to look back through those cards.  It makes my heart smile to know that I am loved by so many people. Now that I've lost all of my grandparents and my Mama, the cards and letters they gave me over the years are some of my most cherished possessions.  

A couple of years ago, I decided that I wanted to keep the cards I receive in a year on display throughout the entire year.  There's a fun, colorful, garland of pom poms hanging above the doorway in my living room and since New Years Day of this year, I have clipped each card I have received in the mail to that garland.  At the end of this year, I'll take down the fun cards I received throughout the year and add them to my "Joy Box" to make room for the Christmas cards when they begin to arrive!  I love walking into my house and seeing these cards hanging above the doorway and every time I glance up at those cards, I smile!  

Thank you so much to Brandy for sharing your thoughts and feelings about paper mail and writing messages from the heart. Let us know in the comments what resonated with you most.

10-Tips to Help You Write a Thoughtful Note

Have you ever sat down to write a note or send cards and you find yourself at a loss for what to say?

Writing a thoughtful note involves expressing genuine sentiments and consideration for the recipient. Whether it's a birthday card, a thank-you note, or a message of sympathy, here are 10- general tips to help you write a thoughtful note:

1. Select the Appropriate Type of Notecard: sending the correct notecard doesn’t have to be difficult but you should make sure it’s appropriate for the message.

2. Start with a Warm Greeting: Begin your note with a friendly and personal salutation. Use the recipient's name to make it more personal.

3. Express Your Feelings: Clearly state the purpose of your note. Whether it's expressing gratitude, offering condolences, or celebrating an occasion, be sincere in your expression.

4. Be Specific: Include specific details related to the occasion or reason for the note. This shows that you've put thought into your message.

5. Share Personal Memories or Experiences: If applicable, share a relevant personal experience or memory. This adds a unique and special touch to your note.

6. Use Positive Language: Frame your words in a positive and uplifting manner. Focus on the positive aspects of the situation or the person you're addressing.

7. Show Empathy: If the note is for a difficult situation, express empathy and understanding. Let the person know that you are there for them.

8. Express Appreciation: If the note is a thank-you, express your appreciation explicitly. Mention the specific actions or gifts that you are thankful for.

9. End with Well-Wishes: Conclude your note with well-wishes or a positive sentiment. This leaves a lasting impression and leaves the recipient with a good feeling.

10. Add a Personal Touch: Consider adding a small drawing, a quote, or something that adds just a little more to your note.

If possible, consider writing your note by hand. Handwritten notes often feel more personal and thoughtful. Remember, the key to a thoughtful note is sincerity and a genuine connection to the recipient. Take the time to consider their feelings and tailor your message accordingly.

And never forget the impact that a thoughtful note can have on the person receiving your note.

4 Ways to Send Notecards as a Small Business

4 Ways to Send Notecards as a Small Business: Market your business and make an impact one notecard at a time.

As a small business owner, you want to get your name out there and stand out from other boutiques and specialty shops people have seen before, but how? Social media is a major marketing tool - and it helps a lot - in getting people to recognize your business and learn about your services, but posts, comments, and likes are quick to do and leave little impact once the recipient closes the app.

To move your business from a name people recognize to a business they feel connected to, we suggest you add sending notecards to your marketing strategy. If you don't have notecards branded for your business yet, then be sure to reach out to us so we can design and print notecards for you.

Here are 4 occasions you could easily send someone a branded business notecard that makes them feel special and helps your business stand out.

• Congratulations on a business or work anniversary
  If a business is celebrating its anniversary or you're celebrating a customer's anniversary of when they went into business with you, don't just comment congratulations on their posts or send an email. Take a moment to write out a note and put it in the mail. Those few words in a card say so much more than an electronic communication.
  

• Thank you for meeting with me to a prospect or customer
  When a prospect is looking for a service or product your business provides, more than likely they are considering more than one option. Stand out from your competition by showing the heart and humanity behind your business with a note and let your product or service features speak for themselves.
  

• Thank you for your order
  We all have some sort of thank you when a customer checks out or pays an invoice, but printed on a receipt or a final pop-up after checkout doesn't come from the heart. Choose a few repeat or special customers each quarter to personally thank with a note.
  

• It was great meeting you
  When attending business conferences or bumping into someone who could be a great fit to work with, sending a handwritten note reinforces and conveys the importance the meeting had on you. Follow-up is important, and the most impactful way to follow up is with something more tangible than a message on a screen.

Whether you send notecards with your orders already or we gave you a few new ideas on how to start, we can't wait to see how this marketing strategy will impact your business by strengthening your connections.

International Women's Day - March 8th

"I raise up my voice - not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard . . . We cannot succeed when half of us are held back." - Malala Yousafzai 

For International Women's Day, today on March 8th, I want to spread awareness of amazing women and organizations who raise their voices for our community of Laurel, MS, and Jones County. 

For example, the Junior Arts League of Laurel and the Young Women's Christian Organization are women-run organizations creating change for inclusion and education in Laurel. I have enjoyed being a part of the YWCO and the amazing women who work to build community. We are super lucky that the director of the YWCO, Brandy Thornton, also works with us at the paper shop!

But there are so many women who do such special work...here are a few I would like to take a moment to recognize. Each woman below is committed to a mission that either sets up our children for a brighter future or supports and helps feed families in need...two of the most important missions in any community.

Crystal Phillips founded The Social Club in 2020. Her vision and mission is to provide inclusive play for children as well as education of sensory needs and disabilities for parents. Guiding her are the values of inclusion, acceptance, compassion, and education as she advocates for the special needs population. The Social Club and Crystal have made such a positive awareness and acceptance in our community. And I am so proud to have them right across the street from us at the paper shop.

Hope Staples, with her husband, founded the Glory House Global Outreach. The mission fueling the project is to share Christ with the community and the world. Hope and the many volunteers at the Glory House do an incredible job of orchestrating and promoting community service projects, worship, teaching, and providing food and personal care through the Bread of Life Center food pantry. 

Elizabeth Harris serves as the Board Chair of Nurture Our Future. This nonprofit funds the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for the Laurel and Jones County area. They also have the Brain Bus that goes around the area to promote learning through play. Elizabeth and the other board members focus on ensuring children are set up for success with out-of-school learning opportunities and books so they can thrive from their very beginning. 

We are so lucky to have these incredible women and women-run organizations changing our community for the better! And trust me when I say that these are not the only women making a difference in our community...there are so many more! 

Take time this month and especially on Wednesday, March 8th to say thank you to all the women who work tirelessly to make a difference! 

We have some special cards in the shop for Women's Day. Email me if you want to learn more: efanslow@beamazingpaperco.com.

Adam Trest Wine & Cheese Reception!

What an amazing evening last night! I am so thankful for all of the amazing people who came out and supported the shop and Adam Trest Studio!

A special thank you to Mrs Kim’s Boards for this beautiful charcuterie board that everyone really enjoyed! And to Sarah Moffett Hinton for this beautiful arrangement! It is so wonderful to have so much talent in our community!

Also a special thank you to Adam Trest for spending his evening with us and all the people that came to see his new stationery.

National Employee Appreciation Day

National Employee Appreciation Day was one of my favorite days when I was in a leadership position in corporate America. It was that time when I got to show my team how much they meant to me and how appreciative I was to have them working alongside me.

I knew that I would not have been able to accomplish what I did without their support and hard work, and I always wanted to make sure that they knew how blessed I was to have them with me.

Things are a bit different now, but I still have a team, and I respect and appreciate them as much as my corporate team. They work with me in the shop, making sure that our customers are taken care of and that our message and mission are shared and lived.

My team loves books, paper, and writing happy notes as much as I do...you see I picked them to be a part of my team for a reason. I couldn't do everything I do without them, and they mean the world to me. 

So this Friday, March 3rd, take some time to let your team know how much you appreciate them and what they contribute to your business. Let them know that every time they work a shift for you, pick up extra duties...it relieves some of the stress and makes running your business a whole lot more enjoyable.

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How Can We Help?

Be Amazing Paper Company can help you show your employees some love in a few different ways:

THANK YOU CARDS:  We can print customized cards with your logo to share with your employees! There's nothing better than a handwritten card from someone showing your appreciation!

CUSTOMIZED CANDY CARDS: We can print small customized candy cards with the message of your choice and attach a piece of candy. These are fun little hand outs that you can place on their desk. It's small but mighty! 

(FYI - we handed these out in the shop for Random Acts of Kindness Day and they were a huge hit!)

CUSTOMIZED NOTE CARDS: Want to give your team notecards personalized with their names? We can create a pack of 10-cards for them. 

If you have something in mind and need our help - give us a call at (601) 699-7694! 

We're happy to help!

Valentine’s Day is Almost Here

Girls, tell your guys we're staying open later tomorrow, Friday, February 10th, until 6pm so they have some extra time to shop before Valentine's Day! We'll have our team here to help them shop for the perfect gift. 

Love letters may be "out of style" - or more like out of our comfort zones - but giving a card can make your gift even more special. It's not all about the gifts on Valentine's Day but the feelings you have for that person. Put those feelings into words with a card that resonates with you and your sweetheart's humor or your mushy side. 

Me & My Galentines 

February 13th is officially Galentine's Day, and we're excited about a day devoted to celebrating and acknowledging the women who lift us up and make our world more positive and fun.

The tradition of spending time with your friends the day before Valentine's Day came about, believe it or not, because of the popular TV series Parks and Recreation when Leslie threw a big Galentine's Day celebration for all of her gal pals. 

Now, Galentine's day parties are pretty common and can be celebrated in so many ways - a movie in your pjs with popcorn and wine, or a night out all dressed up. If you have a fun Galentine's Day get-together planned, share it with us in our blog comment section!

Whether you have a Valentine or a handful of Galentines, everyone can appreciate a small token of love and appreciation with a card and a small happy. Be sure to stop by the shop - or remind your special someone to stop by - and pick up the perfect card for Valentine's and Galentine's Day!

Show Someone You Care...Send Them a Card!

Sending cards is a passion we all share here at Be Amazing Paper Co but sometimes we feel like there aren't enough holidays to show the people in our lives how much they mean to us. Luckily, with National Send a Card to a Friend Day, there is one more day of the year to show your appreciation for their influence in your life. We love filling our friend's mailboxes with something unexpected and kind to brighten their day. 

Shaking up how you acknowledge the people in your life will make them feel special and loved, and we've designed and printed the perfect card for you to send! 

You may be asking, "What makes a card better than a text or a social media post," so we prepared a few points to consider. 

• It's an act of love. Thinking up your message, writing it in your own hand, and putting it in the mail lets your friend know you're taking the time to make them feel seen and appreciated.

• It's a memento. Cards can be saved and looked back upon. Social media posts get lost in your feed, but a card can be put on display for a time on the fridge, the counter, and then put away to be looked back on when walking down memory lane. 

• It's more intentional. Writing out your message lets you pull from the heart and writing thoughts tends to go deeper than anything you would put in a text message or an email. It allows you to relay thoughts and feelings that you otherwise would never "voice" through other mediums of communication. 

You can purchase single cards or a pack of 10-cards! Stop by the shop and pick yours up or order them online!

Celebrate National Sticker Day!

It's National Sticker Day! Did you know that the first stickers began as tax and postage stamps in the 1800s? They have come a long way since then and there are a variety of uses and styles today.

We love seeing folks come into the paper shop and sift through our bowl of stickers!

How do we use stickers in the shop?

• Brandy uses stickers for just about everything. Journaling, in her planner, on the happy mail she sends out... They adorn her YETI and her laptop. The sticker on her bathroom mirror serves as a reminder of how to carry on every single day.

• Elizabeth loves using stickers in her daily planner and her monthly goal planner, in letters and on envelopes. She also loves sifting through the sticker bowl to find fun ones to mail to her grand babies…

Stickers decorate, make things happy, make things personal... Finding stickers that represent our personality is so fun! People also love to collect stickers when they travel…sharing stickers of our favorite shops, restaurants and coffee shops. Our stickers can tell a story all on their own!

Tell us in the comments what you use stickers for…

Come Celebrate With Me!

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!

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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!

Who Needs to Know That You See Them?

Who in your life needs to hear that you’re thinking of them and that they are loved? 

Someone out there needs to know that you see them. 

The other day, a dear sweet friend of mine posted on her social media that she felt invisible and that just tugged on my heart to know that she was feeling that way. Sometimes our strongest people may feel invisible and we need to make sure they know they are loved!

It's so easy to get caught up in our own lives and not notice that someone has gone quiet. 

That’s why I created this ‘Hey There Girl’… I use it exactly for this purpose! 

I know sometimes I feel invisible and unappreciated…face it…we all do. Sometimes we work so hard to make a difference and we end up feeling like it didn’t really matter or that it wasn’t noticed. 

I like to think that in most cases our efforts are appreciated, but life gets in the way and we forget to tell people that we appreciate everything they do for us, for our family, our community…So today, I ask you to think about those people you appreciate, and maybe take a few minutes to send them a handwritten note or card. Let them know that you see them and you appreciate them!

 It’s such a small gesture that can mean so much. 

It's Never Too Early to Start!

One day this week I posted on social media that Emily Ley's book released. It's her new children's book called You're Always Enough. One of my customers texted me to ask me to hold one for her daughter. She wanted to come by and pick one up for her as she was having a bad week.

You see her grandmother passed away a bit ago and she has been struggling with the loss and her Mom thought the book might help brighten her day. So yesterday she texted to tell me she would be in later in the afternoon.

My heart felt compelled to create a special gift for her daughter, who I have gotten close to over the last few months. So I grabbed one of the children's journals off the shelf and wrapped it up in pretty tissue paper and put it in a bag. I also wrote her a sweet little note to let her know to keep smiling. I asked her to keep creating beautiful art and to write in the journal to help her feel better...and I signed it...Mrs Elizabeth.

I put the little package in the special mailbox we have in the shop and waited for her to come in. When she did I told her to check the mailbox as there was something special in there for her. She was so excited and went over to the little area in the shop where we have chairs. However, she didn't sit in the chair but instead dropped to the floor to open her special gift.

I left her to open it by herself and went over and chatted with her mom. She wondered over to her mom and asked her if she had a pen she could borrow. She sat on the floor intently writing on one of the postcards that came with her new journal...and when she was finished...she handed me this...

This sweet little girl gave me a "Thank You" note! How special is that? 

One of my missions in opening the paper shop has been, since day one, to get more people writing to each other. To send more cards to say thank you, or I have been thinking about you...and she knew just what to do to say thank you for little gift.

If her momma is reading this...thank you for raising the most sweetest and politest young lady! You are definitely doing something RIGHT!

I hope you will keep writing!

Adam Trest Studio Stationery

Yesterday morning the bell rang on the shop door...I walked out of my office to find Adam Trest making his way into the shop, out of the smoldering Mississippi heat, with his two "Doodle" dogs in tow. He quickly relaxed in the chair soaking up the cool air-conditioning. 

His calm demeanor and easy going conversation is always a great way to start your morning. Talking to Adam is like talking to an old friend that you've known for 20-years...even when you've only known him for less than a year. 

I couldn't feel more blessed to work with Adam and Lily to bring Adam's art to life in stationery form. Having his stationery line in our little paper shop has bought me so much joy!

Adam recently brought back a few of his Classic Prints and we wanted to make sure you had a chance to pick up the ones you want. Not only are the notecards great gifts for HomeTown fans, but if you just flat out love Adam's art, these cards make the perfect size for smaller framing in those more cozier spots in your home. You can purchase any of Adam's notecards in our shop or online. His full line is available here by CLICKING HERE.

We hope you see something you love - and stay tuned for some brand new prints in the next month or so...as well as some holiday surprises!

Happy Father's Day

June brings one of my most favorite holidays - Father's Day! It's that time of year when we get to show Dad some love!

Here are few things to help let Dad know he's still the special guy in your life!

We want to wish all the amazing Dad's out there a wonderful day full of love, hugs, and blessings!

Hey There Girl Cards Make Their Preview!

I think those close to me secretly thought I was a bit crazy opening a paper store in a time when so many people prefer email or texting…or even Facebook and Messenger to send messages.

Let's face it…it’s easier to send a text or email than it is to get a piece of paper or buy a card and sit down and write a letter or short note; addressing an envelope and putting a stamp on the envelope, and then…mailing it.

So, I can't tell you how thrilled I was to send out over 100 free cards to you from our 'Hey There Girl' new card line. I thought introducing my new card line on March 8 - International Women's Day, would be a fun way to make the women in my life smile. So I addressed the mailers to all of my girl squad (friends and family) and then thought...who else can I send a special treat to?

And you all came through asking to be included - for that, I thank you. I hope you got your International Women's Day card and the free card that I sent you...and most importantly, I hope you turned around and mailed out that free card to someone who needed to hear from you!

My sister-in-law bought a few cards from the new line and told me that she was going to use them for a friend who was finishing up chemotherapy. She bought one for each of her remaining treatments....and that made my heart feel good - because that is what I created this card line for!

I wanted to create a card that you could grab and write a quick thought or message to someone who needed to hear from you...or someone who needed some extra love so I created the 'Hey There Girl' card line to help me and you send messages easier and more often!

Take a few minutes to look at the cards - I hope these cards will resinate with you and you will enjoy sending them to your best girlfriends…especially when they need a little extra something!

Adam Trest & Elizabeth Fanslow Partner to Bring You New Stationery!

Elizabeth Fanslow, Be Amazing Paper Co & Adam Trest, Adam Trest Studio at Mississippi Made.

I am thrilled to share Adam’s art with our customers - you can click over to Adam’s page on our website below and review the 8-notecards that are available now.

Adam Trest & Elizabeth Fanslow announced their partnership on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Mississippi Made Event at The Yard at Laurel Mercantile.

New Year & New Mission - Welcome to 2022!

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!

Who Would You Send a Thank You To?

One of the things I am known for is sending cards and writing letters to my friends and family. I still believe that getting a card or letter in the mail makes people feel happy inside. And I don't know about you...but we could all use a little more happy inside!

I know that not everyone is 'into' sending mail, but I do know think that everyone has a lot of kindness inside of them and if they could they would send more thank you notes then they do. 

So who would you like to send a thank you to? Remember you don't have to have a fancy card to say thanks! All it takes is a heart-felt written note to let someone know you're grateful for them.