Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 6058 SPRING//SUMMER 2017 with Julie Bell, owner of Julie Bell Stationery THE LAST WORD When did your love affair with stationery start? About 28 years ago when I saw some beautifully hand engraved stationery in Paris. I was not familiar with the process at the time but thought that it could be used in a more contemporary way. How did your business start?  By drawing some Christmas card designs with a lipstick and an eye pencil as I didn’t have anything else to draw with! I had the designs printed in November and tried to sell the cards to shops. I very quickly learnt that that was not the way to do it! What were the biggest challenges at the beginning?   Not having the support of a large company. No paid holidays, no sick pay and no one to sort out computer problems! How did your business grow?   Through exhibiting at trade shows. What are the biggest challenges right now to independent stationery brands?   In our particular case, it is getting  enough staff that are trained die stampers and engravers. As with any business, it is also about keeping customers happy and, hopefully, loyal. What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job? Seeing a design actually come to life and work well. As most of our dies are hand engraved, until we print we have no idea if something is going to work or not. Sometimes they don’t, and sometimes they are way better than we imagined! It is good then to get positive feedback from our customers. I think everyone in a small factory takes pride in the work they produce, so it is good to be able to pass on the praise to them. What inspires your designs? Everything, but especially travelling. Why do you think stationery continues to thrive in this digital age? It is so much more personal and meaningful to receive a handwritten note. I think the tactile aspect of stationery is important too. What advice would you give to young people starting off in the industry?   Do plenty of research before starting, not afterwards! What item of stationery could you not live without? To ‘not live without’ might be a bit strong, but I always like having a notebook on me. IT IS SO MUCH MORE PERSONAL AND MEANINGFUL TO RECEIVE A HANDWRITTEN NOTE. I THINKTHE TACTILE ASPECT OF STATIONERY IS IMPORTANTTOO. STATIONERY BIZ reliable source ...the tape people. create, play, decorate, at London Stationery Show, stand no. G222 reliablesource.co.uk sales@reliablesource.co.uk 020 8295 5440 cre8tapes.com RSL Stationary brain AD 2017.indd 1 21/02/2017 11:52