Being huge fans of all things paper, we were very excited to chat with self confessed paper addict Ellen of stationery label Blushing Confetti! In a fast growing digital world, we learn from Ellen the importance of printed stationery and how the simplicity and nostalgia of printing has become the foundation of this paper based business.
Tell us a bit about Blushing Confetti and what products we can expect to discover?
Blushing Confetti is an online boutique store that was born out of love of DIY and a self-confessed paper addiction (especially of the confetti kind.) We are known for bold but simple designs. We are perfectionists, lovers of detail and firm believers in quality over quantity. We offer bespoke wedding stationery where no two designs are the same, wooden stamps, art prints, gift tags and other paperie goodness. We believe your stationery should make an impression. Whether it is wedding stationery or a print on your wall, it should be a statement of your personal style. We like to push boundaries with unique materials and only produce bespoke or limited edition designs.
What is your background and how did you start working with stationery?
I have been designing commercially for 7 years both abroad and in Brisbane. I am an Art Director part of the week at a Brisbane Design Studio and the rest of the time I spend creating beautiful things for Blushing Confetti! Early on in my career I headed over to the UK where I was lucky enough to dive straight into print design working with some of the top magazines in the world. I knew I was on the right path but it lacked the hands on approach with printing that I craved.
I think I knew I wanted to be a stationery designer when I was studying. I started out studying Advertising and Communications before heading to Visual Communication Design. I was experimenting with printing techniques in every assessment I could. I loved the beautiful art of foiling and the magic of paper. Then my husband proposed! From that moment all the planning and creating every tiny little detail that comes with a wedding, I knew I couldn’t stop there. So Blushing Confetti was born!
Which other stationery labels do you love and what inspires you?
I admire Anna Rifle and her ability to be one step ahead of the rest with her designs. I also love Sugar Paper LA with their simple foiled designs and Illustrators like Kelly Smith and Megan and Kerrie Hess.
I get inspiration from everywhere… literally. Whether it is interiors, a magazine, a flower in a park, a drawing, something I have picked up in a coffee shop. My mind is always buzzing with ideas from my surrounding environment.
What is your workspace like and what is your creative process?
My workspace is very much white, gold and pink. Who would have thought. 😉 My favourite parts of the space are the gold confetti feature wall and the day bed for when a nap is necessary.
I think I have learnt to trust myself in my creative process. Sometimes an idea immediately comes to me and I just roll with it. Usually it has been something I have stored ages ago ready for the right moment. Otherwise I go in search for inspiration in random places and then draw, rework and rework some more.
What do you love about working with stationery and what are some of the challenges?
The thing I love most is the simplicity and nostalgia of printing techniques. It truly is an art form. As well as that, meeting all the lovely brides and grooms for their wedding stationery and the local businesses who order custom stamps. Seeing our prints hanging in someone’s home because it means something to them is so special. I love the reactions when people open their little packages and taking the time to make sure each is packed perfectly.
Having your own business and all that comes with it is an exciting challenge every day.
What new projects are you working on and where would you like to see Blushing Confetti in the future?
We are currently working on our new greeting cards and a few other items which we will keep secret squirrel for now but we are excited to release them this year!
We hope to continue to develop and expand our product range. Our new print collection ‘La vie en Rose’ is not too far away either! Most of all we just want to create pretty things that make people feel something.
www.blushingconfetti.com
instagram.com/blushingconfetti
