I am a big fan of “to do” lists because I usually have a lot going on and I’m working with a very small, cluttered memory span. While Remember the Milk does the trick for me online, I’m still a fan of the pen and paper variety because of one thing: stickers. Yes, at 27 years old I am still incredibly motivated by charts with stickers awarded for achievement. How’s that for social conditioning?

It was through the stickers that I came to find MAUstudio. Came for the little ninja stickers, stayed for the accessories and stationary.

The paper goods at the brilliantly named Rock Scissor Paper have a retro tinge that steers the products away from the overly precious and toward the knowingly kitsch. Best yet, the shop is offering 20% off on select cards until February 2nd.

Twenty Nine 29 was recommended for an Indie Retailer spot by Cangrejero. The shop’s wares include handmade tin pressed cards, jewelry adorned with origami paper or crochet.  

Fanciful Notecards in Blue, 4 blank cards with envelope for $12.00

I’ve probably mentioned in every stationary post that I’ve done that I’m just not a letter writing, card sending sort of person. I’ve tried. It just isn’t happening. I’m a servant of email and text messages. I know where I stand and I’ve come to terms with it. 
But for those of you who don’t have a somewhat irrational fear of small talk, Sugar Lily has some cute but not cutesy stationary. 
 

Red Poppies Blank Linen Card (with envelope), one for $2.50 or three for $6.00

I first heard of Crankbunny from a post at Rare Bird Finds that is still definitely one of my favorite pieces from this shop, but they have plenty more at etsy.  I would sum up their aesthetic as lush, heavily detailed and strongly imagined, but see for yourself.

key to one’s heart, $8 pop up card

I’m a little nervous writing about this paperie, because I can’t remember where I heard of them.  If I stole the original idea from one of Brandy’s Indie Retailer posts, please forgive me.  The Frantic Meercat makes absolutely charming pastiches of vintage text, images and sentiments.  Some remind me of the Anne Taintor line, but most ring true as their own personal spin on old-time ephemera or new-time sardonics.

get well, 7 x 5″ card for $3 (inside reads, “I recommend the worm cakes.  Get well soon.”)

If you need to say you’re sorry, you’ve found the right place. Well, really, I’ve found the right place, but I’m here to share it with you. Uncooked Cards is the place to go for two charming, off-the-cuff apologies that are sure to get you out of hot water. The “You’re Welcome” cards are perfect for the friend that for whom any excuse is a good excuse to send mail.

sorry/time, folded card with envelope for $3.25

Earmark Designs 
Last featured: July 2, 2008
Earmark designs caught my eye back in January when I first saw their Contempt Collection of greeting cards featuring text like, “Thanks for Nothing” and accompanied by a clever line art of empty hands.  They held my attention with their delightful, well-designed and cohesive invitation packages.  Now I’ve rarely sent or received formal invitations to an event since Evite.com and Google Calender have taken away some of the pain of arranging things, but there’s throwback charm to doing things the pen-and-paper way for a special …

To use two of Brandy’s adjectives from yesterday, I wanted to share the “whimsical, vintage” designs of EnfinLaVoila. The designer, Marijke Janssens, is absolutely lovely and ships promptly from just outside of Brussels. Her stationary is typically made up of rounded-corner noteflats with brightly coloured envelopes, and she sends a business card with each one that you can include with your missive if you like. Her designs can also be easily adapted to calling cards and wedding invitations.  I personally opted for the mixed set many months …

Most of the Indie Retailer spots are for products I’ve never personally owned or seen close up, so it tends to be more “hey, this looks like it might be cool” rather than actual product reviews. But not this time! 
My friend Amber gave me a set of Snew stationary (featuring an embossed corset) for my birthday. The flat cards themselves are brightly colored and of heavy enough stock that you can carry them around in your purse without them going all bendy. The graphic is well drawn and the embossing …