This week is National Stationery Week. In case you were not aware I have a deep love of all things stationery, and of a papery nature. I adore note books and pens and have probably got too many of both (although I’m not sure I really believe thats possible). One of the most beautiful note books I own was a handmade gift. It was given to me when I left a previous job by a very talented friend. I adore it, and it is very precious, although I confess I am yet to write in it, it is almost too beautiful.
I love to write letters and send cards. It is such a simple and easy way to brighten someones day and requires a little more time and thought than a quick email or whatsapp message.
By way of celebrating the simple joy that a pretty notebook, a carefully chosen card, or a pen that glides across the page can bring, I wanted to share with you some of my favourite places to buy stationery, read about stationery and even create stationery. Some of these are old favourites and some of them more recent discoveries
STATIONERY SHOPPING
There are so many amazing places to go both online and in the real world. This is just a very few of the places I love.
A very stylish shop in London selling an eclectic collection of beautiful stationery and paper goods. The shop also specialises in calligraphy and runs a number or workshops throughout the year. I enjoyed one of their brush lettering courses a couple of years ago. You can read about it here. If you are in London it is walking distance from Kings Cross station, I highly recommend a visit.
I have bought far too many rolls of washi tape from this gorgeous online shop. During National stationery week they are offering free delivery on all orders over £15
I really love the note books and cards from The Green Gables and have a selection of the various ‘to do’ note pads which I find especially useful.
The greatest collection of rubber stamp I have ever found, and who doesn’t need more rubber stamps in their life!
BEAUTIFUL CARDS
Brightly coloured illustrative greetings cards featuring a mix of illustration and photography. I recently bought a few of these cards from notonthehighstreet.com and have been really pleased with them.
Elvira Van Vredenburgh Designs
Beautiful colours and designs with a particular focus on birds. I literally discovered Elviras designs at a craft show in North London about 2 weeks ago. I fell in love with them and promptly bought a framed print for my wall and a selection of cards.
On Claire’s website she says that her designs focus on bringing a little more colour and positivity (and sometimes glitter!) into your life and to those around you. Whats not to like about that. You can buy Clares Cards from her etsy shop here.
STATIONERY BLOGS
There are whole blogs dedicated to all things papery and stationery related. Here a few of my favourite tried and tested ones.
Barb, the creator of Ritewhileucan describes herself as “a self confessed paper junkie, a stationery hoarder and an advocate for the lost art of letter writing”. I always enjoy her posts and motivations to write.
Jocelyn at The Reading Residence provides endless inspiration on letter writing and connecting with others through letters. She organises pen pal link ups, stationery and books swaps as well as regulaly talking about all things papery on her you tube channel.
Paper mash not only sell gorgeous stationery, but they write about it too with a really interesting blog with all sorts of stationery related features, articles and interviews.
CREATING STATIONERY
Mixed Media Artist Nina Vangerow creates notebooks, rebound books, stationary and art from rescued books & papers.
She also runs various workshop. I am really enjoying Nina’s daily newsletter this week celebrating National Stationery Week. You can see more of what Nina does on her lovely Instagram feed here and learn more about her classes on Skillshare here
Naomi Bulger creates and illustrates beautiful cards and envelopes and she runs e-courses on how you can do the same. I signed up to her daily Christmas news letters and was so inspired by her slow-living, creative approach to living the every day. I highly recommending exploring what she does. You can also find her on instagram here.
And finally, here are a few of my previous stationery related posts.
I would LOVE to know you stationery recommendations. Its National stationery week, lets share the stationery love!
Thanks for this list. I Love my Rotring Caligraphy ink pen. Have had a extra fine and thicker calligraphy nib since I was around 15 yo. Makes me feel special when I write with it.
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An aim for this year is to try and practice some calligraphy. I was given some pens as a gift, I need start using them!