Written by Jill of Shindig Invitations.
Trends happen everywhere. We see them in fashion, food, furniture, even facial hair. If you don’t believe me, take the L train to Williamsburg and check out the various beard stylings of the indigenous Urban Woodsmen.
What is a little less obvious is that these trends happen for a reason.
As the world’s attention turned toward a more sustainable way of life, so did our taste in the things we buy, wear, eat, sit on, grow…on our faces. It’s fashionable to recycle, therefore it’s in style to wear plaid shirts with the sleeves cut off and holey, banged up jeans (even if they’re brand new). I eat my locally raised pork belly off of my reclaimed barn wood dining table and wash it down with organic wine sipped from a mason jar for all the right reasons, but also because I’ve been conditioned to like the looks of these things right now.
These same trends creep into my professional life. Certain materials call me back time and again, finding their way into any invitation I create. When meeting with clients I’ll point out an item I’ve used before, “Don’t you just love this recycled paper bag envelope?”
Yes. Yes, they do.
Probably my favorite material is hemp twine. Invitations often call for some sort of ribbon to tie all the components together and lately hemp twine seems most appropriate to me. It’s understated, neutral, economical and compostable!
Recently I came across this awesome German paper company, GMund. All of their papers are delicious and FSC Certified, but my favorite is Savanna which features an embossed wood grain texture. It comes in an array of neutrals which I’m currently using in three designs.
I also love this seed paper. Rather than trashing whatever is printed on it, the recipient can moisten the item, plant it in the ground and after a few weeks and some TLC be treated to a wild flower garden. What’s better is that The Green Field Paper Company will print your art work for you!
And speaking of mason jars, here is an added bonus from a recent bachelorette party I threw for my friend, Jamie.
{photo courtesy of Elizabeth Ripotola}
I served mint juleps in these little guys which I got at Fishs Eddy ($15 for a case of 12). Granted it doesn’t quite fit under the stationery umbrella, but it works for this story so there you have it. I like to entertain as much as I like to play with paper and right now I like anything that looks like it belongs in a barn. Don’t you?
Visit www.shindiginvites.com to see our gallery or call 917.405.9366 for an appointment today.
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