Meet: Caitlin of Cash Color
One of our newest lines is a collaboration with Cash Color — a project by Caitlin Shirock, a lifelong artist and designer. Having the artist’s touch on our cards has been amazing and we loved hearing about Caitlin’s path to starting Cash Color. Read on and check out the line! Click here to order.
Breathless Paper Co: How long have you been an artist?
Caitlin: Since I can remember! My mom always tells this story about how I would comment on the colors of the leaves during fall time and how beautiful they were and she just knew someday I would do something creative.
BPC: Tell us a little about the scope of what you do and how it all began.
C: I’ve always loved creating beautiful things. I studied fine art and then design, and went on to work in the apparel industry for a few years designing t-shirt graphics for Abercrombie & Fitch. That job was the perfect mix of graphic design and art because we did a lot of work with different typefaces which I loved and then we would also paint beach scenes and sailboats which I also loved. It was there that I fell in love with the medium, Gouache. I had never used it before but now it’s what I create 90% of my work with. I then moved to Nashville (and shortly after married my high school best bud/crush) and started freelancing here doing everything from logos, branding and identity to custom illustrated invitations for brides and other events.
I launched Cash Color last year when I realized how badly I needed to really focus in on one thing rather than trying to master them all. So thats when I started to put the time into really thinking about what I love to paint most and how I can create a brand around that. It has always been this far fetched dream to run my own business and sell my own happy, bright, fun artwork. Although extremely challenging at times, I just love learning the ins and outs of running a small biz and being the artist behind it all. It makes me so happy knowing my artwork sits in peoples beloved homes and hopefully brings them joy every single day when they look at it. I have dreams to grow into putting the art on fabrics, wallpapers, and continuing to do more fine art in the years to come!
BPC: What do you love most about your job?
C: I love that every day is different. I love that I can do business tasks and then use the other side of my brain and be weird, get messy and be creative :)
BPC: How did you begin working with Breathless Paper Co. (BPC)?
C: I met Jessica at a WeWork event, I loved her cards and introduced myself — little did I know we would soon work together and partner up! She is such a sincere person and I could just tell that from the first minute of speaking with her. We later did a pop up together and got to connect even more, exchange information, supported one another and made a coffee date! I was so excited to get to know her story and how she established her amazing brand of over 10 years.
I’m so impressed by BPC, her office is adorable, her kids of course are too, and I just love how she collabs with so many different brands and creates fun products. She gets stuff done. I totally look up to her and feel blessed to have crossed paths with her.
BPC: Describe to us a little bit about the line you designed with BPC.
C: The art is taken from my Neutral Abstract Letter Art collection. Her husband does Graphic Design and I have that in me too, so I think that’s what caught their attention to the line… It’s a very well balanced, yet artful collection of all 26 letters painting in an abstract way. I grew up surrounded by monograms and have always wanted to make them more funky! This is my interpretation of that.
BPC: If you weren't an artist, what would you be doing?
C: I’ve honestly never really given this much thought because being an artist was just always my passion... I have always said I wanted to be an interior designer, but instead of put rooms together I get to work with designers who style my art in their gorgeous homes and rooms — so thats even more fun for me! I am a really good organizer, it comes naturally and I oddly enjoy it, so sometimes I think I should be going into homes and reorganizing peoples spaces!
BPC: BPC believes in the importance of a handwritten note and sending snail mail -- what are your thoughts on this?
C: I am a huge advocate of this. I have in the past created personal stationery and I absolutely believe in the power of a handwritten letter. I have one in particular that has changed my life. It’s from my (now) husband and it is probably my top 5 most favorite things I own — a piece of paper with words that he took the time to thoughtfully write to me, from his heart and then mail it out! Changed my life and I hold it so dear. I love the feeling of writing a card, putting it in the mail, and sending it off to make someones day. Something so magical about it and it really works.
BPC: Do you have a favorite type of client / project?
C: I love working with women that just love decorating their homes and have fun with it. It is so so fun and I feel honored every time I can help bring brightness and joy into their homes by adding art to make their house a home. What's your favorite BPC card in the Cash Color line? What's your favorite BPC card not in the line? I honestly love the “L” haha, I don’t know why but there is something so soothing about it and my eye just loves it! A lot of people buy they letter art just for abstract art or for the color, so I hang the L in my home for that reason, that and to me, it stands for Love.
In the BPC lines: I love the Heartward collection and specifically the “Grow through what you Go through”. Need I explain? It’s so good and so true and a good reminder everyday! But they’re all so good!!
>> Check out CashColor.com for other collections <<
Meet: Angela of Angela Elliot Design
For our Fall 2018 catalog, we added tons of fun new cards and products. One of our new lines was a collaboration with Atlanta designer Angela Wingard. We’re thrilled with how these holiday cards turned out — they’re fun, sweet and sassy, just how we like it.
We chatted with Angela a bit about her work in Atlanta, being neighbors with Jess and Matt, and the importance of a handwritten card. Keep reading to learn more about the holiday line cards she helped create.
Yes, the holidays are creeping up. I know, we can’t believe it either.
CONTACT US TO ORDER: BREATHLESSPAPERCO@GMAIL.COM
Breathless Paper Co.: How long have you been designing / illustrating?
Angela Wingard: 11 years!
BPC: Tell us a little about the scope of what you do and how it all began.
AW: I’ve been freelancing since college and in 2008 one of my clients was a startup at ATDC (GA Tech’s tech incubator). When the economy crashed, I took the company up on their offer to go full time as their Creative Director. Almost 10 years and an acquisition later, I finally left the company to go back to freelancing and working for myself full time. I had freelanced on the side all these years doing design and photography, and just felt it was time to be my own boss again.
My corporate experience was invaluable and while it was sometimes brutal, I wouldn’t trade it for anything but I am loving being my own boss again and creating my own schedule.
As far as what I do, I’m a freelance graphic designer and photographer. I’m basically a one-woman creative firm. When a client comes to me with a desire to brand or rebrand, I do everything from logo design to web design, their marketing collateral they’ll need like presentations and brochures, business cards…and the perk is that since I do photography as well, I can usually shoot all the content for the site.
For photography, I also do families and portraits, which is a nice break sometimes from being inside designing all the time.
BPC: What do you love most about your job?
AW: For design, its playing a small role in helping someone achieve their dream. Launching a business, a side business, or a hobby, its always inspiring to be a part of. For photography, its capturing those candid moments that they didn’t know what happened or letting them see the beauty that they offer because everyone is so critical of themselves.
My favorite part of either component is hearing “I LOVE IT” when seeing my work.
BPC: How did you begin working with Breathless Paper Co.?
AW: I’ve known Jessica and Matt for YEARS. We were neighbors in Atlanta and became fast friends. We’ve always stayed in touch and talked about our businesses, goals, dreams, etc. The talk of collaborating has always been there, it just took Jessica and I to finally stop talking and start doing :)
BPC: Describe to us a little bit about the line you designed with BPC.
AW: We did a holiday focused line for BPC because it was something they didn’t have quite yet. I loved being humorous in the taglines we created. While I love the holidays, I’m always drawn to the cards and gifts that are dripping in sarcasm so that was the main push behind these but we threw in some feel good designs too.
BPC: Why do you think handwritten cards are important?
AW: That moment you receive a hand written card, that feel good moment…that connection. Thats what its all about.
BPC: Do you have a favorite type of client / project?
AW: I love branding and designing. Obviously if there are no limits and I have creative freedom, those are always fun!
BPC: What's your favorite BPC card in the line?
AW: The pine needles one. All the way!
CONTACT US TO ORDER: BREATHLESSPAPERCO@GMAIL.COM
Card of the Month: September
It's Labor Day weekend, and that means time with family and friends, beaches, hotdogs, and relaxation. Bring. It. On.
The holiday inspired us to pick an extra special card for this month's Card of the Month. We love this card and its message, and we hope you're motivated to send it to someone you care about.
We've chosen, "Do A Good Day's Work and Act Like Somebody" from our awesome collab with Old Try for the September Card of the Month.
We think this embodies Labor Day in a nutshell, and pretty much everyday. We try so hard to make Breathless Paper Co. something that inspires and something that we can be proud of -- we want to make other people feel like "somebody."
Birthday Season!
We've had a busy few months of what's known around our house as "birthday season." Me (Jess), Matt, River and Scout all have birthdays within the same few months in the summer, and as hectic as it is it's so so fun to get to celebrate all of my favorite people.
I wanted to share with you some snapshots from all these celebrations, because sharing little tidbits of my family with you all is something I just love.
Plus, birthdays are probably the most notorious time to give a card and write a handwritten note to someone you care about. We think that's so special, and we're glad to get to be a part of that tradition. See some of our favorite birthday cards below, too!
Happy Birthday My Love
$5.00
In addition to celebrating at home, we did a joint party for the two kiddos, and it was sports themed and so much fun – not to mention chaotic... :)
For Matt's birthday, we went to the Ryman. One of his favorite places in Music City (and mine!)
For my birthday, I was gifted my favorite things from my favorite people: flowers, and the sweetest handwritten notes.
Card of the Month: August
How is it already August?!
This summer has been jam-packed and wonderful. We just want to say one more HUGE thank you to all who made our July trade show so great. Seriously, we couldn't do this without you guys!
We've loved getting to spend some quality time with our little ones this summer, and we've had a blast seeing live music in our city. We've also gotten tons of tickets for upcoming shows this fall -- needless to say, we're feeling incredibly grateful. Looking back on these past few months, I feel so full.
This month, we've chosen "My Heart Beats for You" from our Breathless collection a our Card of the Month.
Why? Because of all the love we feel so lucky to be surrounded by right now -- from family, friends and each and every one of y-o-u! This card is a special one that is as fun as it is meaningful. Plus, we love the vintage look! Send it to someone you love and make their day.
Happy August, everyone!
XOXO,
Breathless Paper Co.
Show Recap: Atlanta Gift Show
We're veterans at this whole "trade show" thing now. But that's not to say we don't love it just like we did the first time (or that it's any less tiring...)
This year though, one of our favorite parts was getting to share the space with some wonderful companies, and exploring some of the other incredible brands on our floor and others. I'm pumped to share with you some of what we found... because you're seriously missing out if you don't hop on board with these makers.
All-natural beauty goods are all the rage right now, and I'm here to tell you that Green + Lovely is absolutely nailing it. Her responsibly-made beauty and skincare products are my new favorite thing. I got the detox facial grains wash and a clay mask. Both are to die for. My top pick, though, is the bee herbal cream. It works unbelievably well and it is not greasy (which is a BIG deal!) I have definitely found my new skincare line!
Other brands in our space:
Jackson Morgan Creamed Whiskey for happy hour (salted caramel flavor) Everyone loved it, and was looking up the closest place to grab their own bottles.
White's Elixirs Moscow Mule mix is always so fun to serve during happy hour, too. Customers love his mixers, and we do too!
Pie Provisions:
Pie Provisions is a new company that one of my maker friends and I saw in the "Gourmet" section of the show. Their branding is fabulous and their product could not be cuter! They put everything you need to cook a gourmet pie into the cutest package. This is my new favorite gift idea!
Bogg Bag:
I had heard about Bogg Bags before, but finally got to checked them out at the market. The company shared a booth with one of our dear friends and collaborators, Beer Greetings! These are totally fantastic and I will for sure be getting one ASAP.
Heirloomed:
Heirloomed's newest "Simple Blessings" line is one I have fallen in love with and I cannot wait to get my kids in a new apron!
Really, the best part about this July Market was the launch of our new sister company, Heartward. My business partner and friend Heather and I worked so hard to get things up and running, and it was so fun to see how much everyone loved it. I cannot wait to start shipping all the orders out.
Thanks to all who stopped by our booth... we seriously appreciate each and every one of you.
Atlanta Gift Show & July Card of the Month
It's that time of year again!
This week, from the 11th to the 15th, Breathless Paper Co. will be at AmericasMart for the July gift show.
This year is extra special, though, because we're bringing along with us our new company, Heartward, for their wholesale debut! They'll be showing off their kids tees, line of cards, small-batch jewelry and patches.
They'll even have this month's Card of the Month:
Seriously -- you don't want to miss it. Every single piece is made with so much heart, and it shows.
We'll also be showing our new card lines and collaborations. We're so proud of them and we can't wait to get you guys all stocked up. Come visit us to chat and check out what's new!
Find us in the West Wing, building 1, High Design booth #614.
See you soon!
One Year in our Nashville Home
It's been one whole year since we moved into our house in Nashville. So much has happened in that year, and now our house feels like a home.
We wanted to give you a "behind the scenes" look at our home and lives here in Music City, so that you can get to know Breathless Paper just a little better.
Around the House:
I am slowly but surely changing the lighting. I recently added these kind of industrial pendants above our kitchen island and I adore them!
The dining room table is one of my favorite pieces. It's the table I grew up with. My parents gave it to us and refinished it in a white, antique style and I LOVE having it! I installed a new light above it that I ordered from my mom's shop in Atlanta, Urban Cottage.
Our foyer is a great, open space. All it needed was a simple metal drum shade light.
We screened our back porch in, and it is our FAVORITE spot to be.
I painted our half bath a great deep navy. I LOVE it, and it's a great contrast to the bright white woodwork throughout.
Also in the half bath, I have a little Dash & Albert rug, a ceramic white accent table and a great wall shelf. My dad made the mirror for me from old barn wood and I changed the vanity light. It's actually one of my fav spots in the house :)
Walking up the stairs I have two large bulletin boards where we display the kids' art. I love watching them pin their stuff up there. Also on display is our Needle & Grain "Nashville" pennant that I bought right after we moved.
The playroom / band room is another family fave spot. Matt and the kiddos spend tons of time in there making music.
Fave Date Night & Restaurant Spots:
Adele's is a favorite of ours. We love the atmosphere and the food is excellent!
Bar Taco! It was one of our favorites in Atlanta, too and we used to do dates there, so it's pretty fun to get to do that here as well.
I adore Caviar & Bananas for a date with the kids!
Fave Spots to See Music:
The Ryman... of course.
The Basement on 8th Avenue. It's a tiny hole in the wall with great beer.
3rd and Lindsley. It is a good size and you can sit at a table with friends and grab food too. The sound is awesome!
Mercy Lounge is also great. It's not too big and you really can see from wherever you are, which is always a plus.
Needless to say, Nashville is home now and we are so happy to be growing our little family here. Come visit! ;)
XOXO,
Breathless Paper Co.
Love Notes for Father's Day
Dads! How great are they?! We think they deserve more than just a "day"... but we still intend to celebrate it in full force!
Father's Day is the perfect occasion for a love note or two (or three...)
We're sharing some of our favorite Father's Day card picks -- and you still have time to place an order on our site!!! They're designed with you in mind, and blank inside so you can fill with all your love and kindness.
Click any photo below to order!
