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Archive for the ‘Paper’ Category
There’s no excuse for a generic card or gift wrapped in newspaper (claim eco-consciousness, at least) what with the Twin Cities’ deep pool of design talent. Local Produce is a new collaborative of experienced designers who have worked for major brands including Mara-Mi, Target and Anthropologie. The mission is simple: “create art that delights.” Experience that first hand Saturday at Corazon. Shop Local Produce gift wrap and tags, ribbons and package accents. Then shop the rest of the store (I had a hard time editing down all the great Corzon gifts for our Dec. gift guide in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine), and members of Local Product will wrap your packages in their paper (for a fee). Enjoy cookies and cider while you shop. 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. 4646 E. Lake St., Mpls., 612-276-0198
Tags: corazon, Local Produce, Minneapolis design
Posted in Events, Gifts & Cool Stuff, Paper, Uncategorized | No Comments »
To illustrate the themes for our holiday gift guide (in the December issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine now on newstands), we asked Minneapolis letterpress company Lunalux to create special cards like the one above–each a little different in font, pattern and shades of black and gold, but all complementary. The results were even more fabulous that we’d hoped, and prove that it pays to mix and match–and to tap a local expert for inspiration.
This Saturday, Dec. 3, Lunalux is hosting a super-sized version of its “Stationery Saturday.” Choose between three photo cards or backslap notes that can be personalized on the spot. Won’t it feel good to have that out of the way? More details here. 1618 Harmon Place, Mpls., 612-373-0526
Tags: holiday cards, letterpress, lunalux, stationery
Posted in Gifts & Cool Stuff, Paper | No Comments »
 Russell + Hazel is an addiction. You can’t buy just one bright orange notebook or chartreuse file folder; you need an entire collection of fantastically fashionable office supplies designed to make daily life just a little more fabulous. Well, take note: Russell + Hazel is taking over the rest of the first floor at its 44th and France flagship location. The “binder bar” that was such a hit last back to school season will become a permanent fixture – even bigger and better and stocked with classroom essentials (and treats for shoppers) year round. It is scheduled to open in mid-July.
4388 France Ave. S., Minneapolis, 952-279-1360
Tags: paper products, russell + hazel, Twin Cities retail
Posted in Paper, Twin Cities retail | No Comments »
It was just two and a half years ago that Wayzata’s premier stationery store, Watermark, moved off scenic Lake Street for a bigger, sparkling new space on the more heavily trafficked Wayzata Boulevard. Turns out, visibility isn’t everything. Watermark is heading back to Lake Street and downsizing, due to shifting customer demands.
“Watermark was founded on Lake Street in 1990, and while people loved the pretty decor of our new spot, we heard our patrons telling us they missed us on Lake Street,” says manager Alexis Harsh. “I just had a customer say ‘Oh! You’re heading back to Wayzata.’ Even though we’ve been just a few streets away.”
Watermark is taking the spot between D’Amico and Graham Jewelers at 810 E. Lake St. The new design studio/store opening April 4 will be more focused on custom invitations - by far the fastest growing part of the business. The grab-and-go paper goods and gifts, which Watermark beefed up when it moved to Wayzata Boulevard, have proven a tougher sell.
“Admittedly, the big box companies make it very difficult for boutiques like ours to compete,” Harsh says. “Vendors we have carried for years are landing huge contracts with Target to design a line just for them – very similar to what they design for their dealers like us, yet at a third of the cost.”
Watermark will continue to offer some paper goods and monogrammed gifts. Meanwhile, a moving sale is on now at the 1160 Wayzata Blvd. E. store: 50 to 75 percent off cards, boxed invitations for all occasion, frames, baby gifts, candles, pens and more from Russel + Hazel, Jellycat, Filofax and other brands.
Tags: Shopping trends, store moves, Twin Cities stationery stores, Watermark, wayzata
Posted in Paper, Shopping Tips | No Comments »
Minneapolis-based RedStamp is so smart. Rather than decrying the Evites of the world, this stationery company is evolving its definition of “stylish correspondence.” So as of today, there is an app for that.
The 99-cent RedStamp app features digital versions of modern stationery designs with pre-written sentiments that can be sent via text or posted on Facebook and Twitter. So rather than a perfunctory email or text the morning after a lovely dinner party with friends (or the guilt a week later, because you intended to hand write a note but never quite got around to it), you can quick, send a pretty card befitting the occasion – virtually. Simple, sophisticated, stylish.
I’m so impressed by the way RedStamp founder Erin Newkirk uses technology to her advantage while some of her competitors simply hope consumers will return to paper when they want to show class.
“We are in the business of making relationships stronger,” Newkirk’s partner Lindsay DiLorenzo says. “And with the rise of social media and mobile everything, there are so many more opportunities to communicate. Faster. Easier. Better. Our charge is to blend the thrill of modern technology with the grace of stylish correspondence. We still love and believe in the handwritten note, but entirely embrace and encourage communication digitally as well. It’s the shared sentiment that matters most.”
Tags: apps, correspondence app, online greeting cards, redstamp, stationery
Posted in Paper | 2 Comments »
Love when national brands celebrate their hometown. Stillwater-based Gartner Studios, which makes stationery and invitations sold everywhere from Target and Wal-Mart to Anthropologie and independent boutiques, has closed its Pulp Fashion paper shop in downtown Stillwater to build a bigger store, cafe and studio across the street under the name of one of the brand’s higher end lines, Mara-Mi. The flagship store will feature the entire Mara-Mi line plus Russell + Hazel, which Gartner acquired last year, and custom invitations. And hoping to fill the void left by Starbucks, the store will include a cafe with light lunch fare and cupcakes (yes, brides, they can be custom ordered for events.) If it’s a hit, the cafe could expand to evening hours and perhaps even serve wine. Gartner Studios will be located upstairs. Sounds extremely promising. The opening is scheduled for mid July.
Tags: Gartner Studios, invitations, Mara-Mi, Paper, Pulp Fashion, stationery, stillwater
Posted in Paper | No Comments »
Ah, the instant gratification. Shop for Valentine's Day cards and stationery online at Redstamp.com, and then run over to their Minneapolis showroom and pick up your stuff in person. The girls just announced a cool offer: buy online, have your orders boxed, pick them up in person (4850 W. 35th St., St. Louis Park) and shop exclusive off-line sale selections while you're there. Now that's showing some love to the hometown customers!
Tags: red stamp, redstamp, twin cities paper, twin cities shopping promotion, twin cities stationery
Posted in Paper | 1 Comment »
I needed sheets of crack and peel sticky paper to create some odd-sized labels. Wish I had known what a production that would be before creating the odd-sized labels. Kinkos couldn’t help me. I found the 8 by 11 sheets at Office Max, 10 for $17. Not quite satisfied, I started asking around and got a referral to Minneapolis-based wholesale paper distributor Xpedx. Turns out, individuals can shop there. In fact, the facility at 1401 W. River Road in Minneapolis is extremely inviting — clean, helpful staff and set up like a store with tons of paper products that just make you feel like getting organized. And here’s the best part: Xpedx sells that same sticky paper, 100 sheets for $13! So, let’s recap: 100 sheets for $13 at Xpedx or 10 sheets for $17 at Office Max. Can you believe the nerve? I’ll never be able to buy paper products at retail again.
Tags: Minneapolis paper wholesaler, Office Max, paper deals, wholesale paper, Xpedx
Posted in Paper | 2 Comments »
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