Shop Spotlight: My Pretty Week!

This week I am speaking to Lisa from My Pretty Week! She creates magnetic bookmarks, planner dividers and various other planner accessories!

How long have you been in business?

I’ve been open around 4.5 years now. The shop turns 5 next March which is pretty amazing considering opening the shop was a complete leap of faith.

Is this your full time job? If not what else do you do alongside it?

My Pretty Week is my full time (all consuming) job. I say all consuming because I usually work around 60 hours a week, but I find it more rewarding than working for someone else for less hours per week. I get to listen to audiobooks or my music full blast and make pretty things all day. Can’t beat that!

Outside of the planner/craft community, what is one of your other hobbies/interests?

I have recently fallen back in love with my adult colouring books. Colouring is a wonderful stress buster for me, it’s amazing how just putting some colour on a page can clear your mind.

(Unicorn Playing With Leaves Magnetic Bookmark, available here)

What planner/s do you use to stay on track?

I use an A5 ring planner as my brain. I regularly switch which planner (the binder part) I use but the inserts travel with me from planner to planner. I also use an EC Hourly mainly for work stuff, plus an A5 notebook as a master task/to do list.

Do all of your products feature your own designs? Or do you use external artwork to create them?

I use work from other artists for my products. Mostly from Etsy. I like the idea of my shop supporting other Etsy shops. Buying new designs for my shop is one of my favourite things.

What is one of your top selling products?

At the moment it’s the black Gothic Rose divider set. I wasn’t too sure that was going to sell with the skulls being such a prominent feature, but I put it in the shop because I really liked it.

(Gothic Rose Planner Dividers, available here)

Something you’ve learnt since you began running your shop, that you didn’t know before?

That it is possible to have a good working relationship with other shop owners even if they’re your competition. Shop owners are, in the main, supportive of one another. I’ve also loved watching the UK Planner Community grow and seeing other UK shops flourish.

One stationery item you can’t do without?

Ah man, just one? I’m torn between a black papermate inkjoy gel pen and a notebook. I’m going to go with a notebook.

(Modern Luxe Planner Divider Set, available here)

Quick fire Questions..

Fiction or Non Fiction? 

Fiction

Fruit or Vegetables? 

Veggies

Morning or evening? 

Morning

Rings or Strings? 

Rings

Picnic or Restaurant? 

Restaurant

If you want to check out Lisa's shop, or follow her on social media, you can find all her links below:
Etsy Shop
Website
Instagram - @myprettyweek
Twitter - @myprettyweek
Facebook

She's also provided an exclusive discount for you all! Use the code HELLO10 for 10% off orders over £1 (Doesn't expire).

I hope you have all enjoyed finding out a bit more about Lisa & what she gets up to over at My Pretty Week! Thank you Lisa for taking part in this blog series! 

- Daisy X

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Shop Spotlight: The Paper Lobster!

Today I am speaking to Colette from The Paper Lobster! She creates beautiful stickers, and greetings cards, along with a variety of other products!

How long have you been in business?

I launched my website in September last year, I can’t believe my little business will be turning 1 SOON! Time flies when you’re having fun!

Is this your full time job? If not what else do you do alongside it?

I’m also a Store Manager for a well known stationery brand. Even though setting up The Paper Lobster has always been a dream, being surrounded by so much design led stationery keeps my creative bubble flowing.

Outside of the planner/craft community, what is one of your other hobbies/interests?

I have been known to create the odd wedding cake or two. My biggest accomplishment was a 4 tiered cake, with intricate sugar roses - each rose took me a whole hour to do.

(Betta Doodle Dashboard, available here)

What is one of your top selling products?

The ‘Dream big’ unicorn sticker vinyl. The colours are really bright and remind you to constantly focus on your dream.

One tool you wouldn’t be able to live without?

Eeeekkk... Just one? It would have to be my laptop... I do EVERYTHING on there.

How long did it take you to perfect your skill before you opened your shop?

I’ve been ‘doodling’ for years, but it wasn’t until I was on maternity leave and needed an outlet for my creative energy that I really found my groove with illustrating. My mother in law bought me a Silhoette Portrait and that’s when my sticker love affair started.

(The Confessions of Cats Cup, can be found here)

Is there a meaning behind your shop name? How did you come up with it?

I have a love for all things paper, from making origami to scrapbooking, sketching and planning. The Lobster part involves being proposed to in Venice and finding a glass lobster called Larry.

Can you share any new products that you have in the pipeline?

I’ve wanted a planner tee for agggeeesss and instead of waiting for one I like to pop up someday, i’m designing my own!

(A Jar Of Awesome starter kit, is available here)

Quick fire Questions..

Sunshine or rainy days?

Sunshine 

Dogs or Cats? 

Dogs - I have two!

Rings or Strings?

GAH! You can’t make me choose!

Gel ink or Ballpoint?

Ballpoint - BIC biro my all time favourite

Picnic or Restaurant?

Restaurant - especially mexican!

If you want to check out Colette's shop, or follow her on social media, you can find all her links below:
Website
Instagram - @thepaperlobster

She's also provided an exclusive discount for you all! Use the code MYGREENCOW15 for 15% off orders over £10 until September 26th 2018. 

I hope you have all enjoyed finding out a bit more about Colette & what she gets up to over at The Paper Lobster! Thank you Colette for taking part in this blog series! 

- Daisy X

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