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YAY! Elum Won in 5 Categories at the 2017 Louie Awards

5.30.2017

It’s always an honor to be recognized by the Greeting Card Association for our letterpress cards but we’re over the moon about winning in 5 categories at the 2017 Louie Awards. We couldn’t be there in person to accept the awards but the talented team at Elum took time to pose with their winning card designs and explain a little about their inspiration.

Ali Kurzeja: Potted Plants 

2017 Louie Award Winners : Ali K

Winner: Potted Plants  |  Category: Friendship / Encouragement > General > Above $4.00

“My design was inspired by visits to my best friend’s home. She houses a collection of plants that create a cozy and inviting ambiance. Whenever I see a row of potted plants I think of her and our times together laughing on the couch surrounded by her indoor garden.”

We love this sweet design and color way. The sentiment is so versatile; perfect for a birthday, Valentine’s Day or just to tell a friend they’ve been on your mind.

Shannon Lamb: Cutest Couple & Sports Car

2017 Louie Award Winners : Shannon Lamb

Winner: Cutest Couple  |  Category: Congratulations/Special Occasion > Above $4.00

“This card is a youthful and modern take on an engagement or wedding card, designed with strategic foil stamping to make the marquee lights shimmer. I wanted to create an enthusiastic card because I’m an equally enthusiastic wedding-goer.”

Winner: Sports Car |  Category: Father’s Day > Above $4.00

“Sometimes a man in a car full of kids sports equipment is way sexier than a man in a Ferarri. For all the men driving from soccer game to soccer game with a car full of sports equipment who traded in their Mustang for a Station Wagon; we love you.” This card was designed for Marcel Schurman, sold exclusively in Papyrus Stores. 

We’re obsessed with Shannon’s adorable, graphic illustration style and witty copywriting.

Samantha Kurtz : Fancy Pair

2017 Louie Award Winners : Samantha Kurtz

Winner: Fancy Pair  |  Category: Most Humorous

“This card was created for couples who embrace humor and love a good laugh. When you love someone any pair is the fancy pair!”

Every person in our office laughed out loud when Sam presented this card design. It’s by far one of our most popular designs.

Samantha Kurtz & Shannon Lamb Collaboration : Koi Box Notes

LouiWinners-Ali-3Louie Award Winners : Samantha Kurtz & Shannon Lamb

Winner: Koi Boxed Notes  |  Category: Everyday Boxed Sets > Above $2.50

Because we’re such a small studio we often get to collaborate with one another on designs. Sam and Shannon teamed up to create this gorgeous letterpress Koi boxed note card set. Shannon designed the original pattern as an accompaniment to the Reverie Desk Collection and Sam adapted the pattern in a new color way to create this incredible set of cards. Letterpress printed with three inks plus a rose gold foil stamp to capture the shimmering nature of a koi in the water.

Sending a great big thanks to the Greeting Card Association and Louie Awards! You can check out the rest of the amazing winners from the 2017 Louie Awards here.

Elum is up for 7 Louie Awards (AGAIN!)

4.25.2016

Elum Louie Award Greeting Card NominationsWe’ve heard the old adage “Lucky Number 7” but for Elum it seems to be the luckiest number. For the second year in a row Elum has been nominated for SEVEN Louie Awards. Honestly, we’re so excited it’s impressive we were able to stop high-fiving long enough to get this blog post written. Without further ado, our 7 Louie Award nominations are:

Elum Louie Award Greeting Card Nominations
No 1: If Memory Serves

Back in her college days while “under the influence” someone asked our founder, Melissa, a question to which she looked at them and said, “If memory serves me correctly, I have absolutely no idea.” It got a huge laugh and led her to this hilarious card concept all these years later.

No 2: Nap Hard

We all want to go big for birthdays, but let’s get real, life is tiring.  Inspired by the “work hard, play hard, nap hard” mantra, this card was written for the girl knows a good party needs a good pre-game nap. The combination of witty messaging and extra celebratory confetti  make this card a winner in our eyes and our staff pick favorite!
Elum Louie Award Greeting Card Nominations

No 3: Priceless Torah

Bar Mitzvah cards are usually very serious. This card takes a more light-hearted approach with a playful design and humorous message. It was created to have a hand-drawn feel and ended up with a fun & unexpected dramatic comic book vibe.

No 4: Life is

Sometimes life is super amazing but sometimes life just feels like it’s totally against you. When kind words and motivational quotes fail, this card tells it like it is, with a candor that will hopefully make someone smile during a tough time. We hand lettered the message to give the card a more personal feel and used subtle colors with just enough punch to let the recipient know you are right there with them when life gets tough.

Elum Louie Award Greeting Card Nominations

No 5: Our Gnome

We know how to appreciate a good pun, which makes this card another Elum staff favorite. This sweet & silly letterpress holiday card features adorable gnomes with over exaggerated hats in a cheerful forest scene inspired by Scandinavian design aesthetic.

No 6: Rainbow Cake

Designing our same sex wedding card collection was one of our favorite projects of all time. We wanted to incorporate the rainbow, a symbol of diversity and pride amongst the LGBTQ community, and the traditional wedding cake revealing the colorful layers. It seemed like the perfect celebratory symbol of marriage equality.

Elum Louie Award Greeting Card Nominations
No 7: Everything Fluffy

We think this card pretty much sums up how every little girl feels on her birthday.  Melissa took herself back to childhood days, remembering that “magically dreamy birthday girl feeling” to come up with this message. The cotton candy hair do is the pretty much the epitome of every little girls fantasy.

Obviously we think they’re all winners but do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to check back soon to find out which awards we come home with and be sure to follow us on Facebook & Instagram for up to date news and info from Elum!

 

 

Introducing the Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection

4.11.2016

It may seem like we’ve been quiet here at Elum but behind the scenes we’ve been working harder than ever. Our team of uber-talented designers was asked to create a line of stationery & desk products for Paper Destiny,  to be sold exclusively at Papyrus stores, and of course we jumped at this amazing opportunity. We couldn’t be more excited to finally announce the arrival of the new Bijou Desk and Stationery Collection, available now at Papyrus.

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]The Bijou Collection[/typography]

We were inspired to create a line of products that exudes confidence but has romantic and feminine touches that bring the elements of hard and soft together seamlessly. Multi-colored designs use bold color blocking in coral, pink grapefruit, lagoon, and striking black to drive the color story. A touch of white oak wood veneer provides and unexpected natural element. Warm gold foil adds a subtle elegance and the hand brushed typestyle fashionably finishes out the collection. The name Bijou felt like the perfect fit, with every item being an elegant little jewel for your workspace.

The Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]Gilded Notecards, Tres Important Square Notepad, 3 Pack Paper Journals[/typography]

Products like the luxe ultra-thick Edge Painted Note Boards, cleverly called a “vintage text message”, are one-of-a-kind additions to the Bijou collection. Foil stamped on 1/16″ thick soft-textured stock and carefully edge painted by hand, no other products on the market can compare to their quality and design. (pictured below)

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]Edge Painted Note Boards[/typography]

Every detail has been thoughtfully crafted, like the artful coptic stitch binding on the Exposed Bound Journal, filled with soft cottony sketch paper that you can’t help but run your fingers over with every turn of the page. Once you make it through your first volume you can head back to Papyrus stores, where this product will be a staple of their stationery department and we will continue to add new beautiful designs. (pictured below) 

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]Exposed Bound Journals[/typography]

The Bijou collection is elevated beyond an ordinary stationery line in both quality and design, with the addition of several new unique products. We adore this line so much it’s hard for us to pick favorites but the 3-dimensional Topographic Notepad that mimics map topography (pictured below) and the  Macaron Erasers, inspired by our favorite Parisian treat and finished with a delicate gold bow definitely rise to the top of our must-have list.  With 41 pieces in all, it’s easy to mix and match to find the perfect combination of beautiful office gems.

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]File Folders, Topographic Notepad, Gilded Notecards, Exposed Bound Journal[/typography]

Of course, true to Elum’s roots in creating the highest quality letterpress cards & invitations, the Bijou collection includes six exclusive letterpress & foil stamped box notes, proudly designed and printed at our studio in San Diego, CA. (pictured below)

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]Letterpress and foil stamped box notes[/typography]

This collection will create a truly chic workspace in any home or office or make an unforgettable gift.

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]The Bijou Collection[/typography]

The Bijou Collection is now available for a limited time, only at Papyrus stores or at http://www.papyrusonline.com/

We’re absolutely in love with the new collection, let us know what you think in the comments below. Don’t forget to connect with us on Instagram & Facebook to get up to date information about what’s coming next from Elum, new product releases,  promotions and more. Check back soon to get a sneak peek of the Elum Desk & Stationery Collection, coming in July!

ELUM IS UP FOR SEVEN LOUIE AWARDS!

3.26.2015

There are fist bumps and high-fives all around Elum. Why? Because we are finalists in seven different categories for this year’s Louie Awards put on by the Greeting Card Association . Congratulations to our talented team of idea makers, designers and artisan letterpress print makers for your dedication to ensuring Elum creations are NOTHING short of small works of art. You touch lives everyday through the work that you do and the cards that shared all over the world because of the passion you put into your creations. Sniff, sniff. . . Now, let’s meet the finalists!

Elum 2015 Louie Finalists 1&2

Louie Award Finalist No. 1    BIG DILL  – in the Congratulations category
Yes, Melissa’s family is pickle obsessed. With one child nicknamed “pickle” (and her own original pickle theme song to match) and her younger sister citing pickles as her favorite meal, it’s no surprise that a pickle greeting card would be created at some point. Every single person that walks by this card smiles. And now a possible Louie Award? This is a really big dill people, a REALLY BIG DILL.

Louie Award Finalist No. 2    WINGTIPS  – in the LGBTQ category
We were asked to design a small collection of Same Sex greeting cards for Barnes & Noble. We wanted to do a play on words with the term “soulmates”. The idea for the rainbow wingtips as the pair of shoes came after and when it did, we knew we had something special. When this beautiful card came off the letterpress, we all felt it was one of the best LGBTQ cards we had ever seen; t’s simple, sophisticated, endearing and truly iconic.

2015-Louie-Blog-Post-Part-2Louie Award Finalist No. 3    GALACTIC  –in the Friendship category
Sometimes a really great message is all you need, and we worked as a team to draft this totally awesome one. This card has connected with so many people and it’s so ridiculously awesome read over and over and over again.  And just to prove that inspiration truly come from anywhere and everywhere, April’s inspiration for the design came to her via a pair of galactic style leggings for sale at Urban Outfitters. Go figure.

Louie Award Finalist No. 4    LAWFULLY ANNOY  – in the Wedding category
We needed to add some letterpress wedding cards to our greeting card collection, but we decided we needed some with some personality. The “happily ever after” messaging had all been done. So, we dug deep into the minds of couples married for no less than 15  years. The result is a classic statement that will stand the test of time. But the real kicker is when you open it. . . See inside message on our site here.

 

2015-Louie-Blog-Post-Part-3.5

Louie Award Finalist No. 5   PURPLE POTATO CRISPS  –in the Friendship Humor category
While visiting the Bay Area, Amy was reading a local magazine on the topic of Dry Harvesting. As she read, she found herself pondering the ever growing movement toward safe & healthy agriculture and the terminology that we adopt as these descriptions appear on food labels. And, so the over-the-top idea for this totally hilarious and truly unique letterpress friendship card was born. Try not to laugh. It’s ridiculous, you gotta love that.

Louie Award Finalist No. 6    MUSHY GUSHY  –in the Wedding category
How do you say it all without saying a single word? I think we have that covered here. We wanted this letterpress Valentine card to be everything one would expect from a quintessential old school Valentine; frilly and red with a scripted message. The idea was that you would really have to read it to realize that it was basically a spoof on itself. The irony is just flat out fun.

 

2015-Louie-Blog-Post-Part-4.5

Louie Award Finalist No. 5    3D POP-OUT GINGERBREAD HOUSE in the Christmas Holiday category
Honestly, it’s true, we were all so bored with the same-old same-old photo cards for the holidays that we decided we needed to create a clever (and of course letterpress) alternative to re-invent the idea of the holiday card all together. So, we thought, what would bring a smiles to both adults and children alike? Well, the answer was simple; this ridiculously adorable interactive 3D Pop-Out Gingerbread House card, of course! It’s kind of like the cutest thing ever.

Elum In San Diego Style Weddings Magazine

11.21.2014

We are thrilled to see some of our Elum letterpress wedding invitations featured in the October / November issue of San Diego Style Weddings Magazine! Flip to the Invitations & Favors section to see our Alchemy, Fifth Avenue and Luxe letterpress invitation designs featured in their mix of favorite wedding stationery.  Look for their magazine in stores, or check out the Digital Version.

Elum Letterpress Invitations Featured

Elum Letterpress Invitations Feature

Elum Letterpress Invitations Featured

Elum Letterpress Invitations Featured

 

Elum Real Weddings: Amy and Frank Green

8.23.2013

Amy&Frank_blog_headerWe are delighted to share the stunning wedding photos of Elum’s own Art Director, Amy Kreft Green. Amy was thrilled when she had the opportunity to design her own one-of-a-kind and truly out-of-the box wedding invitation suite for her October wedding to Frank Green III.

AMy&Frank

Winner of the “How International Outstanding Achievement Award in Invitation Design”, the completely custom designed (and gorgeous may we add!) wedding stationery was all letterpress printed by Elum – a designer’s dream! The wedding stationery and decor combined layers of textures & patterns, creating an eclectic, romantic and organic atmosphere with the teeny-tiniest details that made the charming wedding one that was totally unique.

[box]WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT AMY’S WEDDING INVITATION SUITE IS THE WINNER OF THE [highlight]”HOW INTERNATIONAL OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD [/highlight] IN INVITATION DESIGN”![/box]

To brand the event, Amy designed her wedding stationery as a series of vintage inspired books. The Save the Date (which was Volume 1 in the book series) was a letterpress printed mini-book which tucked safely into a tiny letterpress pocket, complete with a die-cut window showcasing the cover that read “And so our story begins.”

letterpress book invitations

Letterpress_book_invitations2

 

The Invitation, Volume 2, continued the book-themed suite with a larger book including original illustrations inspired by vintage floral linens, earthy floral like moss, delicate ferns, and mixed patterns of kilim, moroccan & persian textiles, all deeply letterpressed into luxurious soft cotton paper. We fell even more in love when we saw the 3 bookmarks that outlined the weekend’s events and the adorable library styled reply card.

Letterpress_book_invitations_3

The program, Volume 3, and Menu, Volume 4, completed the book series reverting back to the petite format of the Save the Date. With a love & appreciation of all things paper, the escort cards were miniature pieces of letter mail with no two quite alike. Each personally addressed pint size envelope sat on the tiny shelves of an antique printer’s tray.

Letterpress Tray Wedding

At the table, guests found terrariums filled with moss, maiden-hair ferns, flowers and toadstools along with vintage colored glass goblets, collected by the bride and her family & friends. The family-style fare & signature cocktails had touches of culinary lavender, paying homage to the romantic venue.

Lavender Farm Wedding

The bridal bouquets were loose, romantic, delicate, and wild with bunches of Maidenhair ferns, garden roses, spray roses, tracheliums, feverfews, ranunculus, lisianthus, veronica, bupleurums, ferns, and queen anne’s lace.

Lavendar_Farm_bouquets

The ceremony & reception site,  Keys Creek Lavender Farm, just north of San Diego, was surrounded with rows and rows of lavender, wildflowers, rosemary and not to mention a wonderful collection of vintage furniture distributed throughout the property.

Lavendar Farm Wedding

Lavender Farm Wedding Gown

Take a look below at a selection of breathtaking photos from Amy and Frank’s big day and click here to see the entire Martha Stewart Real Weddings feature.

Full Wedding Coordination: Francine Ribeau Events

Amy & Frank Wedding Blog

Style Me Pretty features: Labyrinth Invitations

7.11.2013

We are excited to share that our Labyrinth invitations from our affordable Umi letterpress invitation collection were featured on Style Me Pretty! The lovely bride Ashlee married groom Devin at a stunning destination wedding in San Juan Puerto Rico (talk about a gorgeous setting!). We letterpress printed their invitations in soft Charcoal gray and sandy Shell inks on luxurious 100% cotton rag paper, perfect for an elegant and modern beach wedding. Ashlee mounted the invitations on charcoal gray backers and made belly bands out of handmade paper that complemented the design beautifully. We’re so thankful that we’re able to be apart of these special moments and it’s always such a treat to see photos of the happy couple on their wedding day. Congratulations to Ashlee and Devin, we wish you all the best!

Click on the pictures below to read more about Ashlee and Devin’s gorgeous wedding or visit Style Me Pretty.

smp_02_invite2 smp_03_invite3

Sweet Shoppe – love sweet love

6.13.2013

Our award winning letterpress invitation suite, Sweet Shoppe, is a candy confectioner’s delight sure to satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth! WINNER of the 2013 Louie Awards Wedding Invitation Category and a 2012 How International Design Award, this delectable design is letterpress printed on luxurious 100% repurposed cotton rag paper. Our Sweet Shoppe invitation features highly custom and innovative artwork inspired by vintage candy packaging, old fashioned ice cream parlors, and the explosive trend of including candy at an event reception. With clever wording and delicious design, this invitation is good enough to eat. With a simple change of color, the Sweet Shoppe invitation would also be perfect for Bar Mitzvah invitations, Bat Mitzvah invitations, or for custom party invitations with a playful twist.

Scroll down for a peek at the inspiration behind this cheerful invitation suite, or for the complete inspiration board visit us on Pinterest.

Inspiration Board_Sweet Shoppe_w header_blog-01