When I first started this blog, the idea was that I’d use it to share with you some of the beautiful handcrafted items I’d been lucky enough to find since having Ettie. I wanted to bring them to your attention so you would be able to have the pleasure of their beautifulness too! Unfortunately life got in the way and I’ve been a bit slack in getting the message out… but with Christmas hurtling its way towards us, I promise to do better and I’m going to kick things off with a quick little post about a lovely company called This Paper Book.
I discovered This Paper Book about a year ago when I was looking for little trinkets to add to the shelves in Ettie’s room. A few of my favourite Instagram accounts had been posting #shelfies and there nestled amongst all of the beautiful goodies were these lovely little pennant flags.
The first thing that struck be about them was their modern and unique style. I love design that is clean and crisp with a bit of a Scandinavian feel to it. The flags suit this vibe perfectly and are so distinctive, I knew they would an ideal fit for Ettie’s room.
On the website I was met with a whole host of beautiful other goodies from flashcards and wall prints, to the most beautiful hand crafted wooden toys. Bethany also has a section dedicated to baby names if you need a little inspiration on what to call your impending little one – and there really are some amazing names on there (including Ettie which was nice to see ☺).
The pennant flags come in three sizes (normal, mini and wall) and are completely personalised. I opted for a mini flag with pink writing and pink dip because I wanted it to sit in one of the hexagonal boxes on her wall, but in all honesty I was completely spoiled for choice. Even looking back on the website now to write this piece, I’m tempted to buy a larger flag for her book case too. I just love how unique and original they look and the modern design will mean it will be something Ettie can enjoy long into her teenage years.
Bethany started This Paper Book in the summer of 2011 when she was still a student at university studying graphic design. Over the course of the next few years, she worked on both business and study before successfully graduating in the Autumn of 2013 just after This Paper Book celebrated it’s second birthday. Bethany prides herself on creating modern, bold and playful designs which are fully customisable. All materials used have been sourced to provide the highest quality and are completely child friendly.
As with all of the lovely brands I feature, I thought it would be great if we could get to know the maker a little better, so I got in touch with Bethany and we had a little chat.
Hi Bethany, you were at university student when you started This Paper Book, what was your vision behind starting the brand?
We love choice, so the majority of our collection is completely customisable. From coloured or monochrome flashcards, to picking your own paint colours for your personalised pennant flags. We are always looking at ways to offer as much variety as possible so that our products can grow with your children and suit any age. Our flags make great nursery accessories and are the perfect modern decor if you’re stuck for girls and boys bedroom ideas – they even suit teenagers bedrooms!
We are passionate about the materials we use, so all of our paper based products are printed on beautiful cotton rag papers and our flashcards are gloss laminated and child friendly with rounded corners. We carefully consider how to make our products as educational as possible, whilst still keeping that fun element, so our designs are bold and simple.
Your little Pennant flags are so unique, is there a particular story behind their creation?
I’d already been making prints for a few years and so it was just something I tried out one day with some of my papers. It took a bit of trial and error to get them to where they are today but the last two years of making flags has been lovely, getting to see all of the different names and colour combinations people choose is so much fun.
Describe a typical day in the life of This Paper Book?
I run the business on my own from my studio in Brentwood. I’m the only employee so I create, design fullfil each order myself. Generally days involve a mixture of design work cutting papers, printing and packaging orders.
What has been your proudest moment since establishing This Paper Book?
We’ve collaborated with some amazing businesses around the world and are continually creating to bring our ideas to life for your nursery or kids bedrooms.
Do you have any advice for anyone thinking of setting up their own business?
I’d say just give it a go. When I started I never intended for it to become a business or for this to be my full time job six years later. It’s not easy, but its so rewarding doing something you love everyday.
All products are made here in the UK but are available worldwide. Bethany is happy to take on bespoke commissions so if you are looking for something extra special, please contact her through her website. Finally, Bethany will be posting out her lovely items right up until the 22nd December, so there’s still chance to get in a last minute Christmas order. If you’d like to know more you can check out her website here : This Paper Book
