Oh Joy!

oh joy! for chronicle books

For the last two years right around this time, I've prepped for the big National Stationery Show in New York to debut new collections of my stationery line, Nantaka Joy. I'm taking a break from the show this year due to the big move in a couple months and also due to some exciting changes. My two companies are merging and all stationery products from here on out will be under the Oh Joy! name which I have been using for my studio and this blog for some time now. So, for those of you attending NSS, I won't be exhibiting as usual, but you CAN find my brand new collection with Chronicle Books at their booth #3550. They are debuting 5 new Oh Joy! products including some brand new formats for the office. The products will hit stores in the fall, but retailers will get a sneak peek & can place orders at the show...

where's waldo

I got an email from Karen of Hammocks & High Tea telling me that one of my Nantaka Joy notebooks is in the new West Elm catalog - I had no idea! I hadn't even noticed it myself because it's so tiny on the page...but it's there! So, for fun...here it is, used as a prop on the ledge...I've blown it up for you here otherwise, you'd really have to squint to see it! {Thanks Karen!}

sneak peak bio at paper + cup!

There's a mini interview about my work and businesses over at the Paper + Cup blog if you're interested. Thanks Min!

oh joy at urban outfitters

I wanted to share a few fun projects of mine that just hit stores. If you check out the new Urban Outfitters fall catalog, you'll see a handful of wall hooks on one of the pages above a desk that I designed! A recent project for one of my clients, Urban Outfitters, you can check them out and buy them here, here, here, here, and here. There's also a series of Zodiac Pint Glasses I designed with hilarious text on the back written by one of the home decor buyers available right here.

thanks philly!

Every year, our city magazine, Philadelphia Magazine puts out their list of the Best of Philly...from restaurants to spas to everything in between. And every year, I pour through every page and see who has been deemed the latest and greatest. To my surprise (and delight!) my design studio was named Best of Philly this year for invitations and announcements! I had no idea and was fooled by the Philly Magazine writer I met pretending to write a story for another issue. Anyway, just wanted to say thank you to all the editors of Philadelphia Magazine for the inclusion in this year's issue. I am truly honored.

a pattern lover's dream in book form

Most of you have seen and heard the buzz about Lena Corwin's new book Printing by Hand. I received my copy last week and had to share a quick image and post to say that it's really so beautiful and amazing. The variety of techniques and beautifully styled photos really inspire a bunch of new DIY printing projects from big to small. Congrats Lena!

{photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy}

local flavor

My silver woodcut floral notebook {bottom right} is featured in the new Fall/Winter 08 issue of Philadelphia Wedding! I wanted to share this spread with you all because it's got to be one of my favorite stories...all about favors that are made in Philadelphia or by Philadelphia designers and the spread is just so pretty...even mini soft pretzels in little paper bags {not shown here}. A couple of my Philly favorites, Bird & Banner and Something's Hiding in Here are also part of the story...love it.

hello + a few more images...

Hi everyone, I just got back home from the show today! Thanks so much for the sweet birthday wishes. I had an amazing time and really enjoyed this year's show even more so than last year. It's always so nice to meet people in person who you have only corresponded with from afar and connect with those who are in the same business. I wanted to share a few more photos before I take the rest of the day off for some much needed rest. Here are a few close-up shots of some of my newest pieces from Nantaka Joy and I've posted more here on Flickr. The photos I took at the show weren't great with that Javits lighting..but stay tuned for more when they're up on my website and in stores for sale soon...

Also, check out great coverage of the rest of the show over at Design*Sponge today & tomorrow. Grace will be posting five parts of her favorite finds of the show!

a birthday in a booth

Hi everyone! A quick hello from the Stationery Show. I celebrated my 29th birthday today during the first day of the show! Birthday cupcakes and cards filled the booth...here are a few quick sneak peak shots from the Mixed Co. booth...stay tuned for more detailed shots soon...

a little preview...

Over in stationery land, we're all gearing up for the upcoming Stationery Show which runs from May 18-21 at Javits in New York. Since the show is only open to buyers and press, here's a little Nantaka Joy preview for you from my newest collection to be launched at the Stationery Show. I'll be with a great group of designers represented by Mixed Co. in booth #1448. I'll post more booth information next week...in the meantime, you can see more preview photos of the Mixed Co. designers' booth over at Design*Sponge right here. Thanks Grace!

{Photo by Karen Wise}

good morning america!

Yay! My notebooks were featured on a segment on Good Morning America this morning as part of selections from Grace at Design*Sponge and Domino on Eco-Friendly pieces and going green indoors. Click here and scroll down to "Going Green Indoors" to see the full piece. Thanks so much to Grace and GMA for the inclusion of Nantaka Joy!

drew's office in april's domino

While I am a huge fan Domino's real (non-celebrity) cover girls, the next issue features Drew Barrymore, one of the nicest and most down to earth celebs out there. The April issue shows off her gorgeous office (designed by Ruthie Sommers) and members of her staff. Check out more images that won't be in the new issue right here...

modern letter project

If you're interested, the Modern Letter Project asked me to be part of their interview series which is up today. Thanks Youngna!

hooray for philly biz night!

Thanks so much to everyone who came out last night for the Philly D*S Biz Meeting! We filled the couches and chairs of the DWR Studio on Walnut Street with great conversation...and everyone seemed to have a great time while meeting and listening to the informative speakers. Thanks to DWR for hosting, Teresa Chang, Bonnie Mazza, Pam Gibbs, Kim Zimmerman, and last but not least, Grace for speaking...AND for her amazing work in setting up the event! We're thrilled to be the first stop on the D*S biz lady tour. If you're in San Francisco, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, or LA, check out the planned dates for an event in your area.

{philly} biz ladies meeting thursday - october 11

Just a reminder that the Philly Design*Sponge Biz meetup will be this Thursday!

Date: Thursday, October 11
Time: 7-9pm
Location: DWR, 1710 Walnut Street

We will be discussing small business concerns, marketing/PR, real life designer success stories and retailing/wholesaling. Some of the speakers include:

Marketing & PR - Grace Bonney, Design*Sponge
Designer Story - Teresa Chang, Ceramicist
Women's Small Business concerns - Bonnie Mazza, Philadelphia Development Partnership
Accounting and taxes for the small business - Pam Gibbs
Retailing/wholesaling - Kim Zimmerman, Bruges Home

I'll also be available to answer questions about maintaining a freelance business.

Please bring a snack or drink with you if you can and RSVP to: info{AT}ohjoystudio.com. If you've already RSVP'ed to Grace at Design*Sponge, no need to RSVP twice. We'll see you then!

Craft Inc. Launch Party!

My dear (long distance) friend Meg is having a launch party in San Francisco, next Tuesday, October 2nd, to celebrate her new book Craft, Inc. For those of you in the Bay area, it looks like a fun evening of meeting fellow designers and business women. Hosted by the SF Rare Device, there will be lots of fun goodies given away too. As I told Meg, I'd totally fly there if I weren't going to be away on vacation next week!

nantaka joy shop update

For those of you who have emailed asking about availability of my Nantaka Joy line, the website is still in the works with plans to be ready in time for the holidays! However, I do regularly update my list of shops on the current site. There are also a couple shops {marked with an asterik} who sell my products online...

{photo by karen wise}

It's Not How Good You Are...

It's been a week of reading creative business books for me and loved this short and sweet book...It's Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want to Be by Paul Arden. While the book is mostly geared towards designers in the graphic design or advertising business, there really are some great overall statements made that apply to life and business in general. The quick read book (I finished it in less than 30 mins) is great for a pick-me-up when you're feeling uninspired and need a boost of encouragement. It encourages hard work and determination rather than finding the easy way out. One of my favorites quotes from the book...

"There are no short cuts to any place worth going." - Beverly Sills

craft, inc.

If you're a closet crafter or someone who had a passion for making things, check out the new book Craft, Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business by Meg Mateo Ilasco. The book fills the creative void among the stacks of business books as it targets the artist/crafter/designer who aspires to turn their passion into a business. The book is a great introduction to the world of business for those who are in the process of beginning or looking to begin a business selling your wares. Meg interviews various designers like Lotta Jansdotter, Variegated, Jonathan Adler, and more for peaks into their insight and personal experience. The easy-to-read book (with its super cute design) clearly explains the steps needed for developing products and naming the company to writing a business plan, applying for licenses, and paying taxes. Craft, Inc. is a completely informative and inspiring read. Congrats Meg!

{VOTE} for philly biz ladies + see you in a week!

For those women in Philly who currently have a small business or the desire to start one, vote for Philly at the Design*Sponge Biz Ladies poll. (Philly is currently close to 6th place in the poll.) Grace will visit the top five cities and host a very special Biz Ladies Meeting! Click here to vote by Monday at 8am (EST)...

I'll be out of town next week for the gift show...come visit me at Booth #3823 (in Accent on Design) if you'll be there and say hello! I may post a few bits next week, but will be back in full force when I return on Monday, August 20th. Have a great weekend & a great week...Joy