Big Lessons

One thing we can always guarantee in life is that we are always learning.....about love, children, health...work. And if we don’t make mistakes whilst learning....then I don’t think we are learning.

In the past 12 months, I wouldn’t say I have made mistakes...but rather I have taken some risks. December 2011 I ventured from my safe haven as a home based business of 4 years, to a retail shop up the road in some gorgeous old shops. Something I had dreamed about for many years and I was about to make this dream a reality.

I certainly didn’t go in starry eyed! I knew that I would have to pay rent, amenities, sell more products and potentially hire staff. I wanted to create the ideal boutique stationery outlet that I had always dreamed of and loved!

I had faith in my little venture and still do.

During the 12 months of trading at a retail outlet, I met some truly wonderful people, made some great friends, and had a gorgeous display of beautiful products and paper creations.....these are 12 months that I would not return for anything.

But this is where the risk taking leads to learning....I learnt that I can only do so much...I have several things in my life that I am extremely passionate about and after a year of trying extremely hard to make sure I still achieved the best I could in all of these, I started to lose the passion, and something was going to give!

Never had I thought that closing the shop would be the thing that gave, but after assessing everything else in my life, the decision was made quite easily.

I learnt that I was not on the correct path for Nancy Louise and started to repave a wonderful new direction that reinvigorated the fire in me to do what I love.

During the closing period of Nancy Louise and still now, people often ask about the shop and if I was upset that I closed....I think many are genuinely surprised when I say no. Yes, in a way it is sad that people will not experience the beauty and creativity that walking into Nancy Louise inspired, but no, for me.....it was exciting and fun....but I now know exactly where Nancy Louise needs to be and I didn’t need a retail face to do this.

Nancy Louise will still continue to supply stunning handmade invitations and stationery for any event...and is in the middle of creating some amazing new items to be released at the RFDS Bridal Expo in May 2013!

x

Trade Fairs!!!

I scooted off to Melbourne early August to venture through the wonderful world of trade fairs! This was the second year that I had attended the fairs and I was very prepared and focused on what I wanted to find....(it is very easy to get distracted as there are over 1000 wholesalers spanning 2 trade fairs! - so it is good to go with a plan in place).

I spent two full days wondering through every aisle stumbling across amazing products and went back to the hotel each day with bags full of information.....it is so overwhelming.

I love looking for products that people will love! but also that complement Nancy Louise and my absolute passion for paper....and I found some of the wonderful products below that are now available at Nancy Louise!

Weddings.....photos!

I generally don't post any photos of invitations that I have created until after the big day has come and gone! Mainly because I don't want to spoil the surprise for guests of the bride and groom...

But I decided that sharing little features and ideas would be okay....so I am excited to say that I will be blogging about invitations that I have created for wonderful couples that have ventured into my shop....or even before when I was home based...

I was very excited when Charntel came to me asking for a Cinderella Carriage for the front of her invitation....our first contact was through email so at first I wasn't sure if she wanted an invitation shaped like a carriage.....something I hadn't done before, but was happy to venture into!

Charntel had a specific design in mind, which is always a great start, and together we came up with a carriage design that Charntel was thrilled with and reflected the style for her Fairytale Wedding.

The invitation was created out of Quartz card, with internal quartz sheets containing all the relevant information. The carriage was printed in purple print and embellished with gorgeous silver rhinestones for the crown and embossing powder to add glitz for the base of the carriage.

We are now focusing on the reception stationery to complement this gorgeous invitation and what is going to be a wonderful fairytale spring wedding.....

Stationery Lovers!

My inspiration for Nancy Louise was inspired by my passion for paper and all things stationery. I was one of those freaky children (and still am) that loves the smell of new books and stationery. At the start of every school year I was extremely excited to get new school stationery, and organising and labelling them was a task that I relished! I have met a few of you on my travels now...so I know that I am not alone in this love!

So with this, Nancy Louise not only wanted to offer a range of extremely beautiful papers and embellishments to create stunning stationery for your wedding, birthday, engagement, anniversary or wonderful event...we also wanted to offer a range of unique stationery items from wonderful designers around Australia and the World!

As a stationery lover reading this blog, I invite you to come for an adventure into my world.

The Shop!

As it has been a while since my last blog I was reflecting on my previous posts (hehe, yes all three of them!- I'm new to this!). I realised in this process that I hadn't revealed any pics of the shop after the moving in blog, so these I have decided to share today.

These photos are of the "start" - painting, renovating, trying to create an inspirational space! Pink!!!! This colour is bold and brave, and so creative and inpiring - anyone who walks through those doors instantly smiles (and I am proud to say I have had a few oh wows! walk through the door - which is pretty awesome!). Fellow paper lovers like myself :)

Magical Moments

The thing I love most about what I do is seeing the reaction of my clients when they see a sample of their invitation....it is a truly magical moment, this is the reality of their ideas, thoughts, dreams, imagination all brought together - an actual physical, solid item they can touch, feel and hold, and become excited about in the planning process of their day!

It is a very exciting process which I am very honored to be a part of :)

There are so many choices for papers and embellishments, that we are only limited by our imagination....being creative is an opportunity for all of us to express our individuality and uniqueness.

All I can say is go with your heart and you will achieve something truly amazing! x

Inspiration

Take the time to admire the inspirational and beautiful things around you.....