The Stationery Boutique

I feel so honored today to post an interview with Jen from The Stationery Boutique. I love the simple, beautiful, contemporary designs that she offers in her shop. Enjoy her interview below!

Vicki: Tell us a little about yourself....your family, interests, hobbies.

Jen: Hi there! My name is Jen. I’m 32 and live on the beautiful Central Coast of California with my family. My husband, Mike, and I have been married for seven years and we have two beautiful little boys, Nathan who is four and Ryan who is 19 months. These days, I spend my time wrangling my boys, going to preschool gymnastics, playing at the park, doing laundry, sweeping massive amounts of cat hair off the floor, cooking, cleaning, diaper changing, playing referee, dislodging Lego’s imbedded in the arch of my foot, dragging the poor boys to the post office multiple times a week, and you know, basically wishing life would slow down for just a minute.


Oh, I love to cook. In fact, I sort of consider it my “me” time. For me, the most relaxing part of the day is when I’m in the kitchen, music on with a glass of wine cooking dinner while the boys are outside playing with my husband. Some more of my faves include: Starbucks, sushi, paper stores {i.e. Paper Source!}, taking tons pictures {which are sadly being held captive in my computer} and creating bright and colorful stationery. In addition to all that, spending time with my family is my favorite and most important pastime. Weekends are my favorite. We live by some beautiful beaches, fun zoos, and great places to eat.


Vicki: How did you start The Stationery Boutique?

Jen: I’ve always sort of had a “thing” for paper and stationery. I could easily spend hours perusing a pretty stationery boutique. Then spend another hour admiring it when I get home. Eventually I started realizing, “hey, I could do that”. The very first stationery item I made was for my wedding. After getting so frustrated that I couldn’t find a save the date photo card that I liked I decided to make my own. This was way before I even had a clue what Photoshop was. I used Microsoft Word to make my save the dates! I made my programs, too. Not bad, if I can say so myself.

Then I made my sister’s wedding shower invites, some birth announcements for my friend, wedding favors, birthday invitations, thank you cards… Meanwhile I left the work force to stay home with my kids. I finished my Bachelor’s degree in business management after the birth of my first son. I always thought about ways I could still stay home and make a little extra spending cash. That’s when we, my husband and I, decided we should try to make it a little business. So after the birth of my second son, we opened The Stationery Boutique. That was in November 2007.

The Stationery Boutique offers handmade invitations, announcements and personal stationery. I am still a work in progress and I’m learning as I go. Being a mom is by far the best job I have ever had. Running The Stationery Boutique most definitely comes in at a close second.


Vicki: How does color inspire your designs?

Jen: Color is a huge inspiration factor when I think about a new design. I love BRIGHT, BOLD COLORS, especially over a plain WHITE background. Color has a powerful way to communicate messages. To me, RED is passionate, BLUE is calming, YELLOW is cheerful, GREEN is fresh and natural. Most of my designs are of a single, bold colored image. I think there is something very appealing and attractive about that.


Vicki: What is one thing most people don't know about you? (I love asking this question, but it is optional. lol)

Jen: Hmmm, let me think here… I am actually quite shy. Always have been. Luckily, it’s never really held me back from anything, though. I usually just have to push myself a little harder than the average non-shy person to get myself out there. I will try to put myself in positions that force me come out of my shell, like becoming the president of the department club in college, or take a leadership position in almost every job I’ve had. Once I get my toes wet, and I get used to the water, I can jump right in. Especially now that I am a mom, I want to set the example for my boys to just be who you are and don’t be afraid of what others might think.

Oh, one other thing that most people don’t know about me.....I can actually recite almost every line from every episode of Friends. There, I said it.

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I love that last sentence, Jen. Don't worry, your secret is safe with us. ;) Thanks so much for telling us about yourself and The Stationary Boutique. You really are an inspiration.