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6 Must-Haves For Your Summer Stationery Travel Kit

7.18.2017

Here at Elum we know summer is all about being on the go. You’ve got to make the most of the few fleeting months of good weather, right? Whether you’re at a BBQ, sipping a poolside drink or jet setting around the world, the fast pace of summer can be a lot to keep up with. That’s why we’ve curated a stationery travel kit—to make sure you never miss a beat all summer long. Stay organized, capture your brilliant thoughts and never forget a birthday, wedding or thank you along the way.

Here’s what we’ll have packed in our stationery travel kit this summer.

1.) JOURNAL

There’s a better way to capture your memories than with a selfie stick (seriously, put it down). Take a little time each day to recap your summer adventures in a journal. It’s a great way to unwind at the end of a fun-filled day or pass the time while you’re catching some poolside sun. If you’re having trouble choosing just one method of keeping memories, a travel journal can also double as a sketch book, a scrapbook, a place to house a collection like pressed flowers or to write down the recipes for all your favorite summer cocktails.

2.) WASHI TAPE

Washi tape is the perfect complement to your travel journal. It can attach maps, ticket stubs or Polaroids to accompany your brilliant thoughts. It’s also great for gifting. Use it to attach gift tag, dress up plain wrapping paper or as a colorful replacement to ribbon on gift wrap. It’s the perfect way to dress up a card’s envelope. You can even use it to make an easy DIY book mark, personalize your phone cord (so none of your friends or family accidentally walk away with it) or use it for party decorations.

3.) LIST PADS

Summer always seems to fly by so it’s easy to see how things fall through the cracks. Stay uber organized all summer long with a handy list pad. Make a grocery list for your upcoming party and create a checklist for your suitcase so you don’t leave your toothbrush behind (again). It’s also really convenient if you need to leave instructions for your dog sitter, a friendly note to someone parked poorly at a festival (I mean, come on! Finding parking is hard enough and now you’re going to take up TWO spaces?) or maybe even to leave your number for that cute bartender, hey you never know!

4.) MINI NOTES

Be ready for whatever occasions summer has in store with a set of assorted mini notes. They may be small but they’ll leave a big impression. Say thanks to the host of a BBQ, leave one for a friend who needs some motivation and have a back up plan for forgetting your Aunt Lisa’s birthday. These little letterpress dreamboats are pint-sized and perfectly portable.

5.) BOXED NOTES

Rediscover the art of the hand-written note. A more meaningful way of staying in touch than sending a Facebook message. The recipient is sure to get the warm-and-fuzzies when they realize you took the time to pen a hand-written letter. You can start correspondence with a new pen pal and look forward to getting something other than bills in your mailbox. They’re also a luxe alternative to a post card on your travels.

6.) PEN OR PENCIL

Maybe the most important part of our stationery travel kit is a dependable writing apparatus. Without a pen or pencil you won’t be able to write down your brilliant thoughts, sign your name on a greeting cards or compose a hand-written message.

Want to win one of our Summer of Stationery Travel Kits? Head to Elum’s Instagram and keep an eye out for details.

Is there anything else you think would be super useful in a stationery travel kit? Tell us about it in the comments below!

22 Great Travel Gift Ideas for Every Type of Adventurer

4.10.2017

The key to the perfect travel gift is finding something that reflects the recipients unique travel style. Luckily, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide of travel gift ideas for the adventurous spirit in your life. Whether they’re jetting off to foreign lands in search of a new adventure or simply pitching a tent and gazing at the stars, we’ve found something for every type of traveler.

Travel Gift Ideas for Jet Setters

If you need to find the perfect gift for someone who always has their luggage packed just in case they need to jet off on an impromptu adventure, these are just what you’ve been scouring the globe for. Great for anyone who prefers to keep their head in the clouds but never their feet on the ground.

A.) Cork Globe from CB2 pinpoints all their past travels and gives them something to look forward to coming home to.

B.) Kate Spade His and Hers Luggage Tags from Papyrus are the perfect wedding or engagement gift for your favorite traveling dynamic duo.

C.) Travel Candles from World Market allows them to take the scent of home on the road with them.

D.) World Map Necklace from Modcloth perfectly embodies the spirit of an aspiring world traveler.

E.) Minute Message Box Notes by Elum are small enough to keep in their carry-on bag so they can send you a quick update from wherever in the world they may be.

F.) Astonishing Erasers by Elum can’t erase travel woes but can keep all their travel correspondence mistake free.

G.) Carpe Diem Passport Holder from Anthropologie keeps their passport protected so they can always seize the day.

H.) Airplane Bloody Mary Kit from Urban Outfitters makes any hour happy hour.

Travel Gift Ideas for Campers

For anyone who’s favorite pair of shoes are hiking boots and who’s more comfortable in a sleeping bag than in a hotel room. Great gifts for someone who loves the smell of campfire in their hair and is happiest as a camper.

A.) Adventure Together Letterpress Card by Elum, for your favorite camp-mate.

B.) Campfire Candle from ShopSpring.com allows them to bring the scent of a campfire home.

C.) Stay Sharp 10 oz. Flask by Best Made Co., because no camping trip is complete without story telling around a campfire with good people and a flask of your favorite spirits.

D.) Camp Vibes Enamel Mug by Poler, for maximum coffee enjoyment outside a tent or at an office desk.

E.) Observer’s Field Guide by Elum is covered in real cork with alternating lined and sketch pages for all of their natural observations (or to help bring that outdoor feeling to their desk all week long)

F.) Happy Camper Pennant from Strawberry Moth, so they can let their camp-flag fly.

G.) Soapsquatch by Leeloo Soap, so they can finally know what it would be like to be held in the sweet embrace of Sasquatch.

Travel Gift Ideas for Star Gazers

Know someone who always has their eyes to the stars? Keep them there with any of these stellar gift ideas, perfect for the amateur astronomer in your life.

A.) 3-Pack Constellation Notebooks by Elum, for documenting all of their astrological findings.

B.) Planisphere Watch from Uncommon Goods, for stargazing in style.

C.) Constellation Mug from Amazon, to house the coffee that will keep them awake late enough to find constellations.

D.) Zodiac Embroidery Hoop from howcouldyouclothing, for those who are looking for more meaning in the stars.

E.) Star Map Book Bound Journal by Elum, for mapping the stars and their thoughts.

F.) Space Case by Realm, for anyone who’s ever wanted a pocket full of stars, this is probably the next best thing.

G.) Space Map Art Print by Capricorn Press, for star-gazing on a cloudy night.

G.) I Need Some Space Bar Soap by Leeloo Soap because it’s out of this world.

Have any other great gift ideas for travelers? As an adventurer, what’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Available Now at HomeGoods & T.J. Maxx : Tailored Lady Desk Collection

10.18.2016

The Tailored Lady Desk Collection is a new pretty-in-peach designer desk accessory line by Elum, available now at HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx. Created for boss babes that strive for perfection every day at work but know how to kick off their stilettos and have fun after hours.

Inspired by the perfectly tailored lines of a pencil skirt and a combination of subtle and bold symmetrical patterns. The peachy-pink, glimmering gold and bold black colors make this collection the perfect combination of feminine and professional. See some of our inspiration here:

(Pictured in Above Inspiration Board: Black and White Outfit 1, Paris and Berlin Pattern, Black and White Outfit 2, Bow Mug, Start Somewhere Quote,

Gold Bow, She’s a Dreamer Quote, Izola Candle, )

Of course the most important trait in any boss lady is her sparkling personality. To capture this we incorporated witty messaging in shiny gold foil to balance out the collection. Bold color blocking and coordinating patterns used throughout this line make these desk and stationery accessories a mix and match dream come true. You can buy just one piece as a bold statement or do a total workspace overhaul with the entire collection.

The collection includes: 2 styles of foil-stamped box notes printed on textured ivory paper, reversible file folders with three coordinating patterns in each set of 9 folders, 3 pack paper journals with lined interior pages, week ahead clipboard with paper pad and clip folio with paper pad and elastic enclosure.

If you think this limited edition collection will be the perfect addition to your briefcase, head to your local HomeGoods or TJMaxx, ASAP! These pretty and polished products won’t last long.

Would you like to see the Tailored Lady Collection available from the Elum website? Let us know in the comments below!

Caught in a Daydream: The Reverie Desk & Stationery Collection

9.01.2016

Sometimes it is beautiful to get caught in a daydream; there’s a peace and tranquility in allowing your mind to wander freely. That is precisely the essence of the Reverie Desk & Stationery Collection, new from Elum. Even if you’re a prisoner to a computer screen most of the week, your mind has the freedom to create a beautiful escape through a daydream. In that same way, the Reverie Collection can turn a mundane workspace into a serene landscape.

Whimsically flowing watercolors and carefree pen strokes in a flush of lavender, deep navy, pear and sorbet capture the essence of a waking dream. Accompanied by brilliant pops of rose gold, these elements come together seamlessly in the introductory desk and stationery collection designed and manufactured by Elum.

The Reverie collection is elevated beyond an ordinary stationery line both in quality and design. The addition of one of a kind products like the dimensional Peony Notepad and the 3 Pack Paper Journals with rose gold stitched binding make it truly extraordinary.

We carefully crafted every detail of this collection, from the artful coptic stitch on the Exposed Bound Journal, to the luxe ultra-thick paper of the Edge Painted Note Boards, cleverly called “Certified Snail Mail”. The inclusion of products like the Petite Paper Wrapped Week Ahead Clipboard will help you get organized for the coming week, making the Reverie Collection the perfect combination of beauty and functionality.

Of course no collection from Elum would be complete without a callback to our foundation in the highest quality letterpress printing. The Reverie Collection includes 7 brand new boxed letterpress note cards in gorgeous complimentary designs.

You can see the entire collection at ElumDesigns.com. Or find out what our friend’s Julie Lauren and Kellie Van have to say about the collection on their blogs.

Let us know what you think about the new collection in the comments below.

Office Life: Elum Painting Party

8.30.2016

We’re a versatile bunch here at Elum. Our extraordinary design team is assembled from all sorts of artistic backgrounds. We are graphic designers, illustrators, painters, photographers, fine artists, and textile designers. Even though we come from different formal training, two things are absolutely true about every member of this team:

#1- We love to try new things.

#2- We like to party.

A few weeks ago one of our favorite clients asked us to create a hand-painted collection for their next line of desk & stationery products. Even though it’s not something we’ve done in the past we jumped at the opportunity. First we had a team brainstorm to narrow down painting techniques we wanted to execute. Then, we organized a painting party complete with smocks, new paints , fresh brushes and our favorite 90’s pop music playlist.

The final result is truly a thing of beauty. Because of our different backgrounds each member contributed something unique to the collaboration. As a result, we achieved a perfect combination of artistic textured brush strokes, delicate watercolor washes and graphic stippling and stripes.

The collection continues to come together beautifully. Check back for more progress updates and info on when it will hit stores. If you can’t wait for the new collection you can buy our Reverie Desk & Stationery Collection right now at elumdesigns.com or head over to papyrusonline.com to check out the Bijou Collection, designed by Elum exclusively for Paper Destiny.

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.

[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.

[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)

[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)

[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.

[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)

[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.

[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 Real Weddings: Amy and Frank Green

8.23.2013

Amy&Frank_blog_header We 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

2013 Louie Award Winners

5.31.2013

It is with utter elation that we announce Elum was named winner of two awards at this year’s 25th Anniversary Louie Awards, the stationery industry’s highest honor. Our “Sweet Shoppe” couture wedding invitation suite was the winner in the Wedding Invitation category and our Pop-Out 3D Menorah Holiday card won in the Religious Celebrations category. To be acknowledged for all of the obsessing that transpired over these designs (and trust us, it was boatloads) has given us a motivating boost to continue doing what we love. We were especially humbled to have been selected since our incredibly talented peers submitted such inspiring and outstanding work in these same categories.

We also want to take this opportunity to express how important the National Stationery Show is to our company. We cherish the relationships we have formed with our retailers and custom dealers and we want to give a personal thank you to all of you who continue to support us year after year (thank you!). The National Stationery Show is not only a place to showcase our products, but it’s a forum to continue to build lasting partnerships with other fellow colleagues in the industry. We look forward to seeing you ALL again next year!

1. Sweet Shoppe wedding invitation || Elum
2. left to right: Amy Kreft Green (Art Director, Elum) | Melissa Foster (Creative Director/President, Elum) | Victoria Ricci (Graphic Designer, Elum)
3. Sweet Shoppe wedding invitation, reception card || Elum
4. Pop-Out 3D Menorah Holiday Card || Elum

NSS 2013 Sneak Peek

5.15.2013

We are excited to once again be exhibiting at the National Stationery Show in New York next week. Take a look below for a sneak peek of our brand new products for 2013 and be sure to come visit us at our Booth #2833.

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