We recently connected with Michelle Marks and have shared our conversation below.
Michelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I am so excited to say I have finally been able to earn a full time living from my creative work. I would say this is not the first time in my years of being a Stationery Designer but I truly believe that this is the first time I feel comfortable and secure in my business. I have always been in the creative business from when I was in college. I loved planning parties and hosting friends or family. I always put a creative spin on each event no matter the occasion. I went on to put my creative ambitions in catering and wedding/party planning. Having a family made those times of working weekends not possible so I bought a Wedding Invitation business 18 years ago. Designing Wedding Invitations instantly became a giant passion of mine. We started to include other Party Invitations and the creative juices really started flowing. I was also really lucky to hire some great designers who were looking to make a living from creative work. We went on to design some invitations I am really proud of and still admire. Unfortunately, the purchasing of invitations online changed our business quickly. That is when I decided to design Greeting Cards, Mugs and believe it or not Stamped Handkerchiefs. Well, lucky me, the Greeting Cards were admired. So naturally next it was stickers. Many of my friends and family call me “The Sticker Queen” now but I have also added notepads and art prints. I am so lucky as a creative designer because of of the marvelous Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Dolly Parton, etc. who inspire me to make designs. Retailers are having trouble keeping them on their shelves. I never regret the time it took me to get this secure in my design accomplishments because it was the beginning of designing wedding invitations that pushed me into opening my mind to design more. I am also always working on the new design ideas, from embroidered bandanas to hats. Who knows what is next for my design process and the future of the company but hopefully the success never leaves. I want to always be able to design something for everyone. Put a smile on someone’s face, remind them of a special time or just let out a good laugh.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Not sure how many people read my article from before. I can easily sum up inviting affairs paperie is a provider of crushworthy stickers, greeting cards, notepads and art prints. I also added into my already crazy schedule another company- Pop Shop ATX. We do Pop Up gift shop stores all over Austin and looking to expand to other cities. The most exciting development in both businesses is this week we are moving into a new studio to support inviting affairs paperie and retail space for Pop Shop ATX. Expanding and growing feels good!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing the response to my designs. It comes from maybe a comment on Instagram, a shout out from a retailer, every amazing review we get. I hear from retailers saying that “our customers and us have four favorite things: Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Harry Styles and stickers, inviting affairs paperie covers all the bases and does it flawlessly”. How can you not smile or do a happy dance just hearing that. One of my favorite comments was “we’re going broke we can’t keep these stickers in stock!” Basically I can’t really measure how rewarding being a creative is because I am just pinching myself every day!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The particular goal or mission that is driving my creative journey really has been said by me before. While I want my designs to be fun, happy etc…I love having a social impact as well. We have in our line, designs that support the need for saying what many people are thinking. This can include protecting kids over guns, women’s bodies over guns…probably see a pattern here. At the same time of wanting to show our support and give our customers the ability to show support for so many issues it is also great to see a teenage boy or girl get one of our Taylor Swift stickers. Or a long time Dolly Parton or Willie Nelson fan a chance to show their love on a water bottle, a notebook or even their car. Hearing the joy we give to our retailers is beyond exciting but hearing that the end customer is just as happy is my mission driving my creative journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.invitingaffairspaperie.com/ www.popshopatx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invitingaffairspaperie / https://www.instagram.com/popshopatx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=inviting%20affairs%20paperie /https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=pop%20shop%20atx
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-marks-8401391b/