Happy Tuesday from our new shop + studio! It’s honestly still so surreal that we are in our new home. It both feels like we just moved in as well as like we’ve always been here. We just celebrated our official re-opening a couple of weekends ago so it does feel a little more real since we're 100% settled in.

Since we opened in 2015, we’ve been committed to bringing y’all the very best stationery, paper and of course, workshops! When we first opened, we started with working alongside 16 fellow small, independent designers to showcase their goods in our shop. And that number has now grown to well over 80!

We’ve grown our family of stationery designers through in-person and Instagram relationships, as well as through our visits to the National Stationery Show. We are so honored to be able to help share the incredible work of fellow creators with you.

A while back, I wrote a blog post about why we buy- a way to share a little bit of perspective of how I choose to stock our shelves. By no means am I an end all be all expert as everyone has their own way of doing things, but I still follow those same thought processes. Since we’ve grown both as a business as well as for me personally, I wanted to take the time to share a more in-depth look at my preferred way of connecting with a brand/maker/designer, and what that early stages of that relationship might look like that leads to placing an order (and re-orders after!)

BUILD A RELATIONSHIP

There are seriously SO many talented designers out there, and as a paper lover, trust me when I say it’s hard to decide which lines to carry in our shop.

I love working with designers who have a vision, designers who are not just talented at creating but are savvy business owners. I want The Paper + Craft Pantry to grow alongside these fabulous businesses. A lot of the designers I started working with when I first opened the shop are still designers we carry in the shop! And I prefer to re-order new designs and replenish our stock by reinvesting in those relationships. The designers we work with have sometimes gone from online working relationships to real life friendships- and if I'm being honest, those are the very best relationships!

Although I enjoy supporting folks we already have a strong relationship with,  I also really enjoy scoping out new designers to bring into our stationery “family"! We get a TON of product submissions via the contact form on our website as well as through good old fashioned snail mail. I typically sort through what we get into sections- ones I will file to order in the future, and ones that just aren’t a fit for us in another. It certainly helps a new designer trying to woo us to go through the proper way we choose to accept product submissions (more on that below!)

DO YOUR RESEARCH

I’m willing to bet that most shop owners can attest that each of them have their own preferred way of accepting product submissions. Do some research, look through their website (Are there instructions on how to submit your work? Are they even accepting new goods?), have you even been to their physical store? Why do you think your brand + product would be a good fit? I can’t tell you the number of times I get inquries where people say they’re a good fit for our shop because our shop is cute. That’s really nice that they think our shop is cute but it makes me wonder if they even know what The Paper + Craft Pantry is about.

Personally, I do not accept walk-ins purely from the standpoint that it’s not a good use of my time. It’s always a little awkward to have to tell someone I am unable to meet with them right then and there. Especially when they’ve got a bag or box full of product and are insisting I look through their product with no regard for my time (or what I have going on during my work day).

Although our submission policies are just a personal preference, I’m almost certain most of the other shop owners I know would agree that unannounced and unscheduled walk-ins are usually not the right way to go!

HOW TO STAND OUT

Think about the volume of emails, and even old fashioned mail a business/shop receives weekly and even sometimes daily...Getting lost in the crowd can be easy.

When submitting your brand + product to a new buyer or shop, presentation is key because I think it speaks to how you run your business. It sets the bar that quality is important to you and usually quality will translate throughout someone’s business.

We’ve received packages that were accidentally left outside in the rain but when we opened it, we mentally applauded the person who put it together for thinking to slip everything into a cello sleeve. A handwritten note is also key (when you’re a stationery business at least) and always sharing why you think your line would make sense added to our shop. Samples are always appreciated because as a paper person, I love being able to feel the weight of the paper and see how things are printed/packaged.

POTENTIAL REASONS FOR WHY YOUR BUSINESS/BRAND/PRODUCT MAY NOT BE A GOOD FIT

Occasionally we’ll receive a submission that’s a really easy no for us. But we also sometiems receive submissions that are a yes, but not right now.

The nos are usually because there’s an overlap in a simliar brand we already work with and carry in the shop. The nos are also usually from improper product submission- because it means that this person has no idea what we do and has never even looked on our website!

The yes but not right nows could be for a number of things. The quantity minimums or opening minimums may be restrictive. There may not be enough designs released that resonate with our shop to warrant an opening order.

P.s. I almost always will place an order/re-order if the designer is offering free shipping and I know of other shop owners who will also raise their hand to this :)
 

WAYS TO FOLLOW UP: 

After submitting your brand + product (in the way that specific shop requries), a follow up email a week or so after is wonderful!

I personally unsubscribe from product/wholesale newsletter that I never opted for- this happens actually more often than you’d think.

But if I already work with a designer + brand, I love when they check in with new product releases and when they remind me of upcoming holidays. Receiving product/wholesale newsletters from folks I already work with is okay in my book!

In case you missed it, we hosted our official re-opening celebration a couple of weeks ago in our brand new space!

We had so much fun transforming our workshop studio into party central for an entire weekend! We've technically been open the entire time since we moved back towards the end of June but we wanted to celebrate this new chapter with all of you. 

It's crazy to look back at the opening of our first brick and mortar  back in 2015 and see the incredible growth and work that has been accomplished since then!

From a paper wall installation that doubled as a backdrop to a really fun photo booth by Oh Happy Day Booth (peek at the gallery at the bottom to find your picture!), delicious Chameleon Cold Brew and Austin Eastciders to keep us cool, and the best cookies (because what's a party without dessert?). 

There were also 18 incredible raffle prizes up for grabs through the weekend from some of our favorite small businesses. Here's a run down of all our raffle prizes: 

• The Paper + Craft Pantry: Macrame Planter Workshop ticket + two small house plants
• Brushstrokes Pottery: custom ceramic leaf dishes & The Paper + Craft Pantry Intro to House Plants Workshop ticket + House plant book + philodendron plant
• The Paper + Craft Pantry: 1 year of greeting cards
• The Paper + Craft Pantry: Private D.I.Y. Workshop for six
• Archer & Olive: Bullet Journal Kit
• Betty Alida: Custom P+CP earring + bracelet set
• Pink Puddle Studio: Watercolor Kit
• Pieceology Vintage: Silk scarf, tote, $50 gift certificate
• Adventure Assist: Travel journal + $50 travel gift card
• Stationery Bakery: Two 8x10 botanical fine art prints + 2019 botanical calendar
• Teddy V. Patisserie: A dozen large chocolate chip cookies
• Love Ding: Spruce Kit
• Lisa Chow: 8x10 Original framed painting + stationery 
• Pink Champagne Paper: Brush lettering kit
• Sam Wish: Apothecary bath gift box
• Bloom Bar: $100 floral arrangement
• Chameleon Cold Brew: Coffee gift basket
• Savvie Studio: Air plant hanger

We had some pretty sweet little goody bags + big door prizes for the first person in line- and y'all took that very seriously! Some of you drove in from out of town...some of you showed up HOURS before we opened our doors...and ALL of you made this weekend so special. It also wasn't hard to find our new space since atxbubbles decked out our store front with the most beautiful balloon garlands both on the outside as well as inside our shop!

SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT SOME BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS OF THE DAY SNAPPED BY OUR GIRL SHELLY BORGA

Again, a HUGE thank you for each of you who continue to love and support The Paper + Craft Pantry. We were so blown away by all of you who showed up to support us! And we hope to see you around soon :) 

THE PAPER + CRAFT PANTRY OFFICIAL RE-OPENING SPONSORS

TALKING OUT OF TURN

Can coolies, grab bags + door prizes!

CHAMELEON COLD BREW

Cold brew + chameleon chow.

AUSTIN EASTCIDERS

Original, Honey, Blood Orange, Grapefruit cider.

TEDDY V. PATISSERIE

Chocolate chip cookie samples.

RACHEL GIBERSON

Paper wall art installation artist.

OH HAPPY DAY BOOTH

Photobooth for stills + gifts.

If you snapped any fun photos at our official re-opening party over the weekend, be sure to tag us on Instagram @thepapercraftpantry :) 

Every year, we host a community craft event called the Summer Craft Party! We open up our studio for the day so everyone in our community can come by and enjoy a complimentary D.I.Y. craft project. 

Our first year, we hosted over 50 guests creating painted canvas pouches, and last year we had a really fun plant shelfie project. 

In keeping with the plant theme (because you know we love our plants :) we kept it fun + simple with painted mini planters! We had SO much fun getting to meet new guests in our shop as well as get to see so many familiar faces. We also decided to host a little plant adoption event like we did over Earth Day where a portion of all our plant "adoption" fees went towards a local non-profit chapter in town. 

Word on the street is that a lot of y'all were a little bummed to miss out on our Summer Craft Party this year so we whipped up some simple instructions so you can host your very own Summer Craft Party for your friends + family! 

Just grab a few supplies you probably already have lying around at home, invite your friends and family for an afternoon of crafting fun.

D.I.Y. PAINTED PLANTERS

PROJECT TIME: 20 MIN

MATERIALS

Hello from our new brick + mortar! 

In case you missed it, we moved last month and are wrapping up our third full week in our new home. And yet it feels like it's been longer than that, as well as feels like we just moved yesterday. 

It was definitely a little bitter sweet saying goodbye to our first storefront. We had so many great memories in there from our very first customers who have now become some of our friends, to the hundreds of workshops (and thousands of workshop students) we've had the honor of getting creative with. 

We turned an old, forgotten warehouse into a little slice of paradise with our incredible wall mural, selection of cards on our card wall, and by hosting weekly events for our community.  And we'll forever be grateful for our time on East 6th, especially for all of you who walked through our mint green door there! 

Some of you may have figured out through Instagram that we packed, moved, and unpacked just in time for our normally scheduled workshops in less than 48 full hours. Seriously, we spent a few hours packing on Monday, spent Tuesday morning moving + building out new fixtures in the new space, spent half of Wednesday setting up and hosted our first workshop that afternoon.

Many hands make light work, everything came together! But it wasn’t easy, it took a TON of preparation, planning, and effort on everyone’s part. Curious about what we learned from this move? Here are a few things to consider whether you are moving into your first brick + mortar, or relocating plus some sneak peeks of our new space!

1. Have a plan

I planned out our moving week schedule by designating a packing day, a moving day, and a day to solely set up, and a day to patch/paint the old shop before I turned in my keys. The packing day went a lot faster, it took 5 of us about 3 hours to completely pack up our old shop + all our inventory. 

We started our moving day at 6am...honestly purely to beat the heat and traffic. So we were completely done by 11am. 

Here's the kicker, by the time we went to patch and paint the old shop, our electricity had already been transferred to the new shop so it was perhaps the sweatiest and hardest part of this entire move since it was extremely toasty!

In addition to planning a schedule, having a floor plan mapped out for the new space beforehand enabled us to efficiently move things in and set up the space easily- be flexible, sometimes things don't fit or look the way you want but having a general floor plan takes the guess work out of it. 

2. Create a budget (cost of a uhaul or movers, things breaking, things need replacing, extra furnishings for the new layout, updated marketing materials (decals signage) 

Moving is always going to be an expense. Having a budget can help since you'll have some time leading up to your move to save up some money to help buffer the costs. Consider a uhaul (are you going to be using movers?), account for the fact you will likely need to replace some things when you move because things may get damaged from moving or you may figure out some things just need to be replaced. 

I left a little buffer for additional furnishings since I knew our space would be much larger and I also accounted for the fact I would need to beef up our inventory so the shop felt fresh + full when we reopened. 

One thing to also consider is that you may need to revamp or update your marketing/branding, for us it was for our window, decals as well as indoor + outdoor signage. Having a budget to present to our designer was crucial in prioritizing what needed to be done before we opened, and what could wait until we were settled in!

3. Make a list of places you'll need to update your address on (bills, banks, google, website, mail chimp, social media etc.) 

The biggest stress (and fear) about the move was worrying if guests or workshop students would be confused with where we were. So we made a pretty intensive list of every. single. place. our address would need to be updated to alleviate any confusion. 

First, obviously, your bank. Update the addresses on all your bills/utilities. 

Next we worked through our website, mail chimp, email, website, google, and all our social media platforms (note that it may take some time for all of it to update: it's taken a couple of weeks for everything to finally read as our new address!

4. Call ahead (to set up your electricity + internet) 

At least with Austin Energy, it takes 2-3 days for them to shut off your electricity and transfer the service. So it's a fine balance of making sure you're out of your old space and into the new one, with as little time between them with no electricity because it's HOT in the summer. Yay Texas! 

For our internet set up, we couldn't transfer our account over since the company we were using at our old location did not service this area. So it did take a few days for them to set up the new service. But as you all know we need the internet for our POS, speakers etc. A quick fix and little bandaid to this was to just use my personal phone as a hot spot to connect to the wifi to check people out/stream music. 

5. Ask for help

I feel extremely blessed and lucky to have truly amazing and supportive friends and family. Who volunteered to help with the move (again, in the summer, in Texas). There's no way I would have been able to have a pretty seamless transition over here without all hands on deck!

Also, the kind words of encouragement, customers who popped by to say hi and bring flowers, to even volunteers via Instagram (just even the fact there were folks offering to help meant SO much!)

THINKING ABOUT OPENING UP A BRICK + MORTAR OR LOOKING TO RELOCATE/EXPAND YOUR CURRENT SHOP? HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW! 

I'm SO excited to finally be able to share the BIG news, we're officially moving!

I know a lot of you will have lots of questions as to why I'm taking this next step with the business, so I figured a blog post would be the best way to share with y'all the whys behind all of this as well as some juicy information on what to expect with the new Paper + Craft Pantry. 

This is a milestone kind of next step in my small business and I'm so excited to have you all along on this journey. The side of owning a small business that most people don't see are the behind the scenes and operational things, like this move. This has been in the works, through negotiations for almost 2 full years now- and I wanted to be 100% sure everything was aligned before sharing with all of you. 

It's been a long, tiring process, and to say stressful is putting it lightly, but I know it'll be the best thing for The Paper + Craft Pantry. This move will enable us to thrive and continue to grow within our community here in Austin. And I truly feel like we're on the right path to becoming your number one destination for all things stationery and paper, as well as for all your crafting and workshop needs! 

Please read through the questions below and feel free to leave a comment with any other questions or email me at hello@thepapercraftpantry.com :)

xo,

Pei

WHY IS THE PAPER + CRAFT PANTRY MOVING?

Since opening our doors in 2015, we've grown a ton- literally we are outgrowing our retail + workshop space. From stocking our selves with 16 designers and hosting 1 workshop a week, we now work with over 70+ designers and host anywhere from 3-4 workshops a week! Simply put, we need more room for more paper, and more crafty workshops! 

In addition to outgrowing the space, we totally understand that parking has become a bit of a struggle for so many of our guests, customers and workshop students. So it was on our priority list to find a spot that would make it easier for y'all to come visit us :) 

We also wanted to find a community within our new space, and we really think we hit the jackpot when we found a home with Springdale General. We're going to have some really cool and fun neighbors! 

WHERE IS THE PAPER + CRAFT PANTRY MOVING?

Don't fret! We're not going far :) We're headed about a mile (literally down the street) from our current space and will still call East Austin our home. We'll be joining the Springdale General community at 1023 Springdale. 

WHEN IS THE PAPER + CRAFT PANTRY MOVING?

We have plans to be in the new shop + studio by July 1st, 2018, our 2511 E. 6th shop + studio will remain open for the month of June. So come pay us a last visit this month (Bonus, you'll get first pick of a TON of new stationery we ordered while in New York for the National Stationery Show!)

But you're going to want to be sure you're following along as well as signed up for our newsletter in case we end up opening our new doors sooner! 

We will update you all with a firmer date as things unfurl for us! 

OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

WHAT IF I'M SIGNED UP FOR AN UPCOMING WORKSHOP?

Don't worry, the show (workshops) will go on! 

You will personally be notified of any changes in workshop locations but for the month of June, all workshops will continue to be held in our current studio (2511 E. 6th Street) unless otherwise noted.

THE NEW PAPER + CRAFT PANTRY, WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE NEW SPACE? 

A card wall that is 4x the size of our current wall. I know, take a moment to let that sink in... thats over 500+ individual card designs!

A workshop studio space that will allow us to not only seat more students but to host workshops that we weren't previously able to.

So basically, a ton of stationery and a whole lot more workshop fun! 

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE PAPER + CRAFT PANTRY MURAL? 

We have plans to host one last hurrah in our current shop + studio where we will bid farewell to our beloved first home, and our iconic mural. We'll toast the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. 

You'll also have the opportunity to take some last pictures before our East 6th shop + studio front closes.

p.s. We're also working on something fun to let the mural live on in our new space so stay tuned. 

NO, WE'RE NOT OPENING A SECOND LOCATION.

Once we move into our new shop + studio, we will be closing our doors at 2511 E. 6th Street.

WHAT WILL YOUR HOURS BE?

Our hours will remain the same (for the month of June and after we move)!

Monday: Closed | Tuesday: 12pm-6pm | Wednesday: 12pm-6pm | Thursday: 12pm-6pm

Friday: 12pm-5pm| Saturday: 12pm-6pm | Sunday: 1pm-5pm

HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE PAPER + CRAFT PANTRY WITH THIS MOVE? 

Keep doing what y'all have already been doing :) Each and every one of you who come by our little shop to pick up your stationery goodies and gifts or our workshop students make a much larger impact than you may know. 

Your support means the world so keep visiting us for your paper needs, and sign up for that upcoming workshop you've been eyeing. 

Also, any words of encouragements or high fives will be accepted! 

We love ourselves a good pen. It makes all the difference when you're trying to get stuff done and for all your to-do lists :) We pride ourselves in having the best collection of pens for all your writing, doodling and list making needs. So here's a quick round up of six of our favorite pens we currently have in store + online! 

BEST PEN #1: ARTLINE

These pens come in an array of colors and dry almost instantly! If you like organizing your tasks by color or like bullet journaling, you're going to love these!

BEST PEN #2: MINIMAL PEN

We've had these pens for a while and our only complaint was that the ones we had in the past didn't have a clip on the cap. Et Voila! We found ones that have the clips so no more lost pen caps! These pens are sleek, minimal and are as smooth as they get. Perfect for those serious meetings and also for prop styling :) 

BEST PEN #3: PASTEL SQUARE PEN

These muted pastel colored barrels are just so cute! They write in a fine point, in black ink and adds that little feminine touch to your office space. 

BEST PEN #4: FRUIT PEN

These are by far one of our shop's favorite! They scream fun! And probably a good reminder for you to eat more fruit :) Also in a fine black inked point, these have become some of our customers favorite pens!

BEST PEN #5: CACTI PEN

This pen speaks for itself. Especially if you're a crazy plant lady.

BEST PEN #6: POCKY PEN

If you've never had a pocky, you haven't lived! And now you can have them at your desk, guilt free! Available in different "flavors" these pen all write in a lovely, smooth black ink!