C’est La Vie Paperie is on vacation through the end of July. I’ve just got too much going on! If you want to be notified of my return to Etsy, please go to my page and you can choose to be notified via email. I hope you all have a fabulous July! 

Who doesn’t love getting cards in the mail! Especially when it comes in a brightly colored envelope and from someone who just wants to say hello and that they’ve been thinking of you! Um, I DO! This past week it was my birthday, and yes I do celebrate for an entire week! As should YOU celebrate your birthday for a week, its quite fun. And for a period of about 5 days I received atleast one or two cards each day and it was so great! I feel so blessed to have people in my life that take the time to remember my birthday and send a card filled with love!

I’ve been trying to design simple yet thoughtful cards to brighten someone’s day. I mean who wouldn’t love to receive just because cards all year round?! Like on a random Tuesday in March just because. I think its a fantastic idea!

So I think we should work together to make the perfect just because cards!

I’ve been doing research into purchasing a new camera. In that process I’ve realized how easy it is to do research into the realm of photography either as an amateur or a professional. But as I know from a dear friend of mine who is a professional photographer, there are many hurdles and new adventure that go along with starting any kind of new business. I’ve become a little frustrated in how difficult is it to find information on starting out as a graphic designer focusing on stationery. Stationery design is a dramatically smaller arena and so much of it is live and learn verse read and learn. I love all things paper whether its a journal, a Valentines Day card or wrapping paper. The hard part comes in, how do I make a living with this passion? A few things come to mind:

1) Learning the applications (photoshop, illustrator, InDesign,etc) in order to create them.

2) The printing process. Which printer do I buy? Do I use a professional service? What type of card stock?

3) Selling the cards. Is Etsy enough? Or do I make a website? Do I go wholesale and go to stores to promote my cards and business?

4) Design. Do I need to branch out to other types of design? What about web design? Logo and branding design?

All of these questions along with a million more swarm around in my head everyday. At the end of the day I try to tell myself this is all worth it………..but is it?

Attend a Bridal Show to showcase my stationery and designs.

Learn web design and make my own website.

Network with other stationery designers and collaborate.

Ready…..set…..GO!

I do! So I started designing some Valentine’s Day cards and posted my first design on my etsy shop! It can used as a Valentine’s Day card or also made into a stationery set! So fun! Go to my shop…..

I just set up my portfolio on Flickr! More to come, this is just a sample!

I’ve started to emphasize what makes C’est La Vie different from other stationery shops. The biggest difference I’ve noticed is that what I make is customizable from top to bottom. I’ve been an artist ever since I can remember. Always having a pen and paper by my side. In high school is when I became a painter. I took an acrylic painting class, and immediately fell in love. I love to blend colors and create texture to make a beautiful piece of art. Somehow, I wanted to take my passion for designing on canvas and make it a career. Then I fell in love with stationery and cards. In my cards, I try and make them as personal as possible. Wether that is through a color scheme, a custom drawing or as simple as your name in a beautiful font.

C’est La Vie Paperie is passionate and personalization and colorful design.

So who is this MJ girl?

I am a wife and mother first and foremost. Brandon and I have been married almost 5 years and I have been mother to Jameson for almost 4 months!

I love to design stationery and anything that can be printed on paper. Floral and damask patterns are my favorites.

I love to host dinner parties with red wine and matching linens.

It is a life goal to decorate my entire house all from Etsy. Supporting other artists and craftsmen/women is what I love to do!

A beautifully crafted espresso beverage makes my heart so happy!

I have a slight obsession with vintage fabric.