When it comes to product categories, sometimes two is better than one. Just ask my guest Amy Frazer of Keller Design Co. She is something of a renaissance woman: While embroidery seems her primary passion, as evidenced by the release of her gorgeous Birth Flower Embroidery book published by Quarto Group last year, stationery is not far behind!

These days, Amy smartly transfers any design onto several categories of SKUs. In the grips of this analog moment we find ourselves in, Amy has an inherent understanding of how connecting to yourself and others, whether through stationery or craft, can resonate for posterity in a way a ringtone never could.

And speaking of community, because so many brands and makers tend to get mentioned on The Paper Fold, and I've already had the honor of interviewing them, I want to link their episodes or Instagram feeds. Amy and I namedrop Paper Camp, Marie of Spaghetti & Meatballs, Brigida of Yardia, Erin Dayhaw, Monika Brandrup and George White of Up With Paper and UWP Luxe, Katelyn Woolley of The Noble Paperie and Lindsay Henry of Inklings Paperie. Whatever it is you create, our discussion will definitely inspire its expansion!

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It's kind of chic to be niche famous — and that perfectly describes my guest, Nicole Couto of Couto & Co. She was one of the founders of 2021 Co. That New England brand enjoyed a stellar stationery rise in a few very short years, creating customized finds for Tommy Bahama, Anthropologie and most recently L.L.Bean — and even collaborating with Jennifer Love Hewitt to bring the Holiday Junkie range to life.

While that trio has already dropped into The Paper Fold, Nicole now returns solo, new Substack in tow. So, what led this reluctant consultant to walk away from what she built — and how is she helping gift and stationery businesses access the money they are leaving on the table?

Nicole and I recorded just after the NY NOW and Shoppe Object summer markets, so we also have lots of thoughts on trade shows, design directions — and building authentic brands that truly resonate. Whatever your path in paper, it will become clearer after hearing our chat!

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You have doubtless seen Little Free Libraries in your neighborhood — well, my brilliant guest today has reconfigured the concept for greeting cards and postcards. For 30 years, Vanessa Harnik has worked alongside her dad Alan running Notes & Queries — which sources and brings fantastic European stationery to American shores.

Earlier this year, I named Vanessa a Maker to Watch in 2026 at Stationery Trends — and felt even better about that choice once I learned she had invented The Note Nest. These illuminated dwellings are full of paper treasures to discover one at a time. On any given day, that may include unused cards to send, writing prompts, pre-stamped postcards — even anonymous notes of encouragement!

Right now there's only two of these small houses of stationery in existence, both located in Notes & Queries' stomping ground of Baltimore. However, working with their local nonprofit makerspace Open Works, they have created 10 note nests for FREE — all that's needed is willing proprietors! Or, purchase a blueprint for $20 and truly make this house your own.

In a digital world that moves at dizzying lightning speed, The Note Nest invites us to slow down, write down our thoughts, and connect authentically, for posterity — one handwritten message at a time. As such, a neighborhood Note Nest may well be just what the world needs right now.

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My chat with Katelyn Woolley of The Noble Paperie is full of (wonderful) surprises! I I named Kate as one of Stationery Trends' 10 Makers to Watch in 2026 due to her focus on what she refers to as “communities others forget.”

The Noble Paperie is primarily known for Kate’s NICU, infertility and miscarriage cards — just try searching for one of these categories on Etsy to see what I mean. These topics had never been aired so publicly on stationery before Kate came along — and her carefully composed, hand-lettered designs have helped bring them into the open, being discussed, supported and processed as they deserve.

We cover a lot of ground there — but Kate's decision to exit social media as both an individual and a business is also beyond insightful. Leaving Instagram and all its requisite reels, posts and the like freed up Kate's time and mental bandwidth. She forged her own distinctive path to interact with her peeps honestly and directly. And, she increased her revenue 250% from the previous year! Listen in — and you'll find yourself looking at stationery with fresh eyes too.

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Every paper nerd needs a quality pen for their prized stationery — and Ferris Wheel Press aims to elevate the world of writing tools as it demands. Raymond Yu actually started out in stationery, creating one-of-a-kind, ultra-luxe invitations — but turned his talents to fountain pens and accessories, aiming to remove the intimidation factor and "make fancy fun."

Ferris Wheel Press' ever-expanding array of offerings encompasses both its own creations as well as licensed product tied to major properties — think Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Batman, Superman. Every last creation invites users to immerse themselves in a fantastic world where every last detail has been carefully considered and tweaked to near perfection.

The results don't just heighten the writing experience — Ray shared that many of Ferris Wheel Press' customers actually write more as they seek opportunities to write stuff down! Whatever role you play in stationery, Ray's perspective — to say nothing of Ferris Wheel Press' artistry! — will inspire you to examine our medium's potential with fresh eyes.

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Typically I discover new stationery makers at markets, then I nerd out on them online, but with Erin Dayhaw, it’s been quite the opposite! I was laughing along with her TikTok adventures for quite some time (along with her 30K followers) before I actually met her IRL at NY NOW this past February.

Because Erin seemed to understand the TikTok algorithm in a way other stationery makers do not, I initially envisioned our interview to be focused on winning insights that app. However, Erin is letting her feed go stale on the app she now describes as a "QVC shopping channel."

Erin's approach to stickers as "relatable fine art" is just of one many shrewd observations this Zoomer (?) shares — we also touch on storytelling, controversy and content. Not only is Erin's energy incredible, her inherent understanding of modern messaging (and what people want to hear or share) make hers a brand to closely watch!

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Every year in the winter issue of Stationery Trends, I compile a department called 10 Makers to Watch. Throughout the year I will be highlighting my special 10 — including my very special guest today, Carissa Potter of People I've Loved. Much like that of my other guests, this brand offers stationery and gifts, but with a radically different, deceptively simple approach.

Rather than seeing her wares as yet another commodity, Carissa utilizes them to develop ourselves and our relationships. In her words, "Each is a conversation we long to have, a feeling we are hoping for, an object to do the impossible."

This out-of-the-box approach has garnered this very small California house of design collaborations with some very big brands, including Facebook, The Body Shop, Pinterest, Google, SFMOMA, YouTube, Anthropologie, Madewell, The Wall Street Journal and Nylon Magazine. Our discussion about design and the ability of smart yet simple product to upend your entire perspective is not to be missed!

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Stationery is this podcaster's favorite subject — but color comes in a close second! After all, color doesn't just shade our world, it elevates, deflates or defines a mood — and it can make or break any given design.

If you have never heard an expert discuss how color trends are formed and evolve, get ready for a treat! I have had the pleasure of interviewing Mark Woodman of Mark Woodman Design + Color many times over the years for my publication's trend coverage — now I'm bringing his insights, garnered during a prestigious 40-plus-year career, here.

In The Paper Fold episode 66, I hosted the brilliant Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and the generator of every Pantone Color of the Year. I wanted to get Mark's thoughts on Pantone's Color of the Year 2026, Cloud Dancer, and its less than positive reception. Not only did he share those, but so many gems about the many ways that a color or color grouping comes into vogue, establishing this episode as must-listen for any design nerd.

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