product preview.

After collecting a bunch of vintage ledger paper, check books, and price tags I decided to put together these "Record Keeper Kits". Each pack contains: a lined journal, 12 pages of 1940's check stubs, 6 hang tags, 5 pieces of 1930's ledger paper, 4 receipt pages, and 1 price tag.


I will be adding packs to the shop starting tomorrow morning. Just wanted to give you guys a sneak peak as I only have enough journals for 4 of these kits. Once they're gone, they're gone!

30 years.

On this 30th day of June, my dear parents are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary! Unfortunately I don't have any of their wedding pictures on my computer, but did find some pictures from my childhood. Since their wedded bliss led to my older brother and I, I figured I would share the childhood pictures I found. Hopefully they won't be too embarrassed or too mad!

Love you Mom and Dad!

GIVEAWAY!

I am still working on gathering some pictures of my paper collection, but wanted to get going on the first ever found paper co. giveaway! It will give you a little taste of the papers I love. Up for grabs:

50+ Page Mixed Paper Journal - New and Vintage Papers

> vintage flashcard cover

> filled with vintage dictionary pages, ledger/graph/lined paper, vintage sheet music, vintage Algebra textbook pages, and maps from my favorite 1950's atlas

> also includes a few airmail and glassine envelopes to hold mementos, along with a vintage flashcard or two


To Enter:

> Visit the found paper co. shop and tell me your favorite product in the shop - either still available or sold. Just leave your name and favorite product in the Comments. This will help me know what you guys love and are looking for!

> Make sure your name links back to your blog/shop or you include your email address. Basically I just need to be able to get ahold of you if you win!

> Open to everyone! International entries welcome.

> Open until Thursday night at 9pm EST. I will post the winner on Friday!


Can't wait to see if you won? Mixed paper journals (50+ and 100+ Page versions) were recently added to the shop! Check them out here:

50+ Page Mixed Paper Journal
100+ Page Mixed Paper Journal

what a lovely morning.

My week is off to a wonderful start, due in large part to an email from Jena. Jena runs Modish, a design and style blog that is a daily read for me, and let me know found paper co. is currently featured! Here is a glimpse at the post:

You can see and read the rest of the post here. Hope your week is off to a great start as well!

friday favorites.

I would like one each, please!

1. BloomStudios
2. Thrush
3. NinaGibsonDesigns
4. strangechildink

Coming Next Week: glimpse into my paper collection, more affordable treats, and first ever found paper co. GIVEAWAY!

snail mail.

My fondness for paper spills over to greeting cards. I love to buy them. I love to send them. I love to receive them.

I recently moved from California to Connecticut, and now have the perfect excuse to stock up on more cards. I constantly find cards in my mailbox from my mom (often with photos or a gift card inside!), and even get some postcards from my brother with short but hilarious messages. I love finding the perfect card to send back.


I keep all of the cards I receive. I collect them in a pile by my desk until the pile gets too high. I tie up the pile using some simple string and keep the pile safe on top of my closet.

I challenge each of you to send a card to someone special this week. Say thank you. Tell them you have been think about them. Just say hi. Here are a few favorites to choose from:

You're Swell!

my deer friend

thank you

something is missing

story behind the product.

Fun story. I love office supplies of all varieties and could roam the isles of Staples for a good hour. I picked up these timecards on a recent shopping trip. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them, but loved the kelly green color. I figured I could turn one into a few card, perhaps fold one in half to make a little notebook, or use a few on a scrapbook page. Something. A few days later I walked into Anthropologie and saw the same timecards being used as price tags! I had to laugh to myself. I wasn't the only one who saw much potential in these timecards. What would you do with them?

15 Kelly Green Timecards

affordable treats.

It is amazing the impact a small treat can have - whether it is in the form of a care package sent to a friend or present for yourself. This is where Etsy comes into play. With just a little digging around you can find plenty of affordable treats. Here are some of my favorites:

$5 and Under

1. baydesign
2. pandawithcookie
3. besu
4. bobbuchan


$10 and Under

1. elizabethwrenvintage
2. melissahaske
3. TwoPoodlePress
4. letterhappy


$20 and Under

1. northwestgoods
2. elizabethwrenvintage
3. erindollar
4. 26olivestreet

craft show season.

Craft show season has official begun. One of the best parts of a craft show is seeing all the ways vendors can transform a 10' x 10' space. You are bound to see a wide variety of booths - sleek and minimalist, pretty and feminine, bright and cheery, and everything in between.

Here are a few shops that have outstanding craft booths, and why each works. (Click on the pictures for a larger view of the details.)

shop
blog

Why It Works: Plenty of height and interest is created by using repurposed items like vintage suitcases and picnic baskets. These repurposed items also keeps her table tidy. Don't forget the handmade banner that keeps you from forgetting where you got that pretty stationary!




shop
blog

Why It Works: Bookshelves, wire baskets, and wood boxes make it possible to include a lot of product on the table, while still keeping an organized look. I also appreciate that each product is clearly labeled with what it is and the price. I will usually pass on something if I'm not sure what it is or how much it cost rather than ask.




shop
blog

Why It Works: This is one of the most viewed and most written about booths in large part because of the striped wood display case. It provides whimsy and a defined spot for each product. I am also a big fan of their new sign, welcoming in customers and reminding you who you are shopping with.




shop
blog

Why It Works: This is cheating a little as these are pictures from Red Velvet Art's shop, not craft show booth. However, there are still good display tips to take away from these pictures. The repetitive use of clipboards is a clean way to display a wide variety of prints, a task that could have easily looked overwhelming and messy. There is a lot going on in this store, but a cohesive color pallet and display clusters make it easy to take in.



Recap:

1. Repurpose new and vintage goods to create height and organize your products.

2. Clearly label your products with what they are (if not obvious), what they are made of, and any other special information that may make your product more appealing. Don't forget to clearly price each product.

3. Bring along a banner with your shop name (homemade is fine!) to let customers know who they are shopping with, especially if they want to buy more later! Make sure you put out a pile of business cards as well.

4. Aim for a cohesive look that mirrors the style of your product. If your products are bright and cheery, go for a lot of color in your booth design. If your products are sleek and sophisticated, opt for a more subdued design. This will help draw in your target audience who are most likely to be interested in your product.

5. Ensure your booth and display pieces are secure. Don't stack products too high. I will avoid a booth if I think I might knock something over just by browsing.

6. Make your booth as professional as possible. I always associated a well designed and professional booth with a well designed and professional product.

don't forget your father today.

friday favorites.

What I've had my eye on this week. (Make sure to tell your Dad you love him this weekend. Happy Father's Day!)

1. JulieAnnA
2. amycornwell
3. everyjotandtittle
4. TweeCards

coming soon.

The first couple found paper co. packages have made their way to the post office! Thank you to everyone who has taken a peak at the shop, given out a heart, or made a purchase. I am thoroughly grateful.


There is much more coming soon. Look for at least 2-3 new products in the shop every day for the next week or so. Here is a sneak peak of what's coming soon:

let it fly.

found paper co. is currently featured is this lovely Treasury by mylittleaura. My retro inspired airmail envelopes are among her red, white, and blue flight finds. Here's a peak:

Go here for a larger view and to leave a comment!

still searching for summer, but found some lightning.

The timing of my summer post could not have been better. Yesterday evening I was sitting in my living room when it began to rain, really hard. I went out to my patio to take a quick look and heard the loudest thunder and lightning this California girl has ever heard. I am not afraid to admit I jumped a good foot and hurried back inside. Shortly after I started to hear sirens, but didn't think much of it until the sirens wouldn't stop. I went outside to investigate and realized...the lightening struck out apartment complex!!

Now I will admit our apartment complex is quite large, so it is not like my building was struck, but it wasn't too far either. Of course my curiosity got the best of me and I had to go take a closer look (with camera in hand). Apparently I wasn't the only one with this idea. There was quite the crowd!

This is what it looks like when lightning strikes your apartment complex:



Apparently this isn't all that uncommon. Another girl hanging around the scene said lightning struck her last apartment complex in North Carolina and that time was "way worse." Thankfully no one was hurt this time around, and a rainbow followed the lightning.

I will just say what I said yesterday. I am holding out faith that summer finds its way to Connecticut, and does it fast!

summer search.

I recently moved from California to Connecticut, and it would be an understatement to say I am having a tough time adjusting to the weather. In California June means bright sun and 80-90 degree weather, maybe even a few 100+ days near the end of the month. I just looked up the weekly forecast for Connecticut: 60-70 degree weather, clouds, and only one day without rain. The weatherman on the morning news says this isn't typical weather for this time of the year, even for here. I am holding out faith that summer finds its way to Connecticut, and does it fast!

What I am looking forward to the most...

1. the sun


2. the dresses (here and here)


3. the beach


4. the bike

Around the World in a Day

I was lucky enough to snag a Treasury this morning! I hadn't planned on even trying to get one, so I had no theme or products picked out. On a whim, I was inspired by this vintage globe in my shop and went with an "Around the World in a Day" collection. Who doesn't like to daydream about traveling the world while lounging around their house? Here is a little glimpse:

I would be flattered if you went here to take a peak and perhaps leave a quick comment if you like what you see!

friday favorites.

A few of my favorites from the past week.


1. presentandcorrect
2. vintage73
3. lulubugjewelry
4. ccstar

don't trash it!

I am always picking up vintage games, but usually only interested in the pieces inside. The result are stacks of empty game boxes (many that are falling apart due to age) sitting around that I have no idea what to do with, but don't have the heart to throw away. You see, I don't like to throw away anything that has potential and these definitely have potential. I still have a few tucked away for the next big idea, but here's what I did with some of the others.

Step #1: Gather your boxes (even better if they're falling apart already) and scissors.


Step #2: Pick out initials of friends of family (or yourself) and cut them out.




Step #3: Use an office clip or clothing pin to attach your initials to a special gift. This one was for my mom's birthday (first name Nina). Feel free to write a little message on the back of the initial. Another secret: The "wrapping paper" I used was actually the crinkled up paper you find inside a newly purchased purse. I love the almost kraft color with the red baker's twine. Plus it's free and one less thing to make it to your trashcan.


That's it! Easy as 1-2-3. Want a peak inside my mom's birthday gift? I already gave her the gift so it's safe!


Two little antique (early 1900's!) ledger books. I loved them.

week 1.

found paper co. is officially open for business! More vintage and paper goods to be added daily.

vintage black, white, and red phonics flashcards.

vintage faux bois globe bank.

found paper pack.