Oh hello! I went to NYC, Valentine's Day came and went, Napkins turned 15 (!). and if you can believe it: it snowed again in Jefferson, Iowa. Yes, yes, I know, I live in Iowa and snow is a normal thing here, but after about ten snowfalls you do look forward to sunny spring days. And now it’s March? I’m not naive enough to think we won’t have another snowy day but I can see brighter days ahead.
I had a fabulous trip to NYC where I attended the NYNOW and Shoppe Object markets, or trade shows. I met a few artists that I already carry in the shop and left with both new connections and all sorts of ideas for new products I want to bring to the store. I’ve started to receive some of the orders I placed after the shows from new-to-Warm Wishes makers like Kwohtations, SnowMade, Next Chapter Studio, and Rifle Paper Company.
In NYC, I also enjoyed getting to see old friends, eat all of the foods, and take in a show: Titanique. Talking to other paper people about Warm Wishes helped me clarify my goals in bringing cool things to this small town. Not that there aren't already cool things here... but I want local folks to not have to drive to college towns or bigger cities to be able to buy the type of products I carry in Warm Wishes. And I want to make sure I’m continuing the original goal of helping people connect and celebrate. One way I did this was by partnering with the Jefferson Public Library on a Valentine's Day card making event right after I returned from NYC. It was so fun to see kids and their parents being crafty and connecting in the space- more of that to come in the future for sure!
Did you see the new store signage yet? Watch a reel I made about it here. In making this reel I realized (reel-ized?) how many photos I've taken of the space since June and how much it's really changed as I've bought more inventory and settled in. The makeover continued as we doubled the card wall the following weekend. Doubled! What?! Come visit.
We have another workshop coming up this weekend. Danielle Chargo from Iron Leaf Press in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, is leading a foil stamping workshop on Saturday, March 4, from 2-4pm. Does spending a Saturday afternoon in a colorful shop printing your own stationery sound like a dream to you? A couple of spots remain- register online or in the shop.
That was a lot of updating!! I totally missed the six month brick-and-mortar anniversary which is maybe a good thing? It’s feeling less like counting month to month and more like thinking about the store growing in future quarters and years. There are still highs and lows but on this sunny almost-spring like day, I’ll feeling hopeful.
Warm wishes from Iowa,
Klang