Bespoke personalised online stationary shop, Love Letters Stationery, began life as a single set of gift cards for a good friend a couple of years ago. Today, the company offers a range of items from printed ribbon, gifts tags, moleskin notebooks, gift stickers and coloured pencils – all personalised! The company has just launched their brand-new website plus an on-line shop. Visitors can now view and purchase on-line, from a host of beautifully crafted and creative products ranging from personalised paper to decorative home-ware items.
We took some time to chat to Bridget Richardson, founder and owner of this lovilee store. Here is what she had to say.
Q: Tell us more about yourself?
After university, living and working overseas, I trained as a graphic designer and worked in a corporate design studio for a while. Quite quickly I moved into corporate marketing and communications department and spent many years as a communications specialist at a large corporate. But when I decided to leave the corporate world, I could fall back on my design experience to start something on my own.
Q: When and why did you start Love Letters Stationery?
I started the business a couple of years ago, and it kind of happened by default. I was searching for some personalised gift cards for a special friend, but couldn’t find anything nice and affordable locally, and saw a gap in the market for somebody with my experience, so in one weekend, I planned my first product line, and had the brochure and website done within two weeks – and I was in business!
Q: What inspires you?
I am inspired by people – in the case of my business, it is the amazing customers I have, like those who take the time to email me pictures of their Love Letters wrapped gifts – and the incredible suppliers and printers I have who bend over backwards to make sure my business runs smoothly. And the unbelievably creative (mostly) women I have met in the course of running this business, really good ethical people who just want to make beautiful things and share their talents – there are one or two shameless self-promoters around, but only a few – it’s wonderful!
Q: How would you describe Love Letters Stationery and what do you offer?
My business is essentially a gift shop of unusual and special items that are not easy to find elsewhere, with a focus on stationery and personalised items. I try to design and create as many of my products myself so I can offer my customers something that is not found in every second gift store. Unfortunately I just don’t have the time to produce everything myself so I also stock some items that I have found around the world that are unique and that fit with my business, but they have to special and make my heart skip a beat when I first see them!
The majority of our products are packed, punched, wrapped, strung and stuck by our small team so you know that your product is hand-crafted with personal care. We also offer a range of unique products that are exclusively designed for Love Letters and are not available anywhere else in South Africa.
Q: Which are your most sought after products in store?
Creative and original items such as personalised pencils, paper place-mats (set of 24) and notebooks are firm favourites for birthdays and anniversaries. Or you could just spoil yourself. New products include beautiful gold-foiled note cards, wine bottle gift bags, fill-in invitations and personalised scatter cushions – all are one click away and will be hand-delivered to your home.
Q: Where are your items available?
We sell mostly on-line, but have a few items with some select retailers but because I want to keep my product unique and not flood the market, I prefer selling direct. Plus our business is so personal, that I love knowing my customers.
Contact details
Website: www.lovelettersstationery.co.za
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: Love Letters Stationary and Gifts
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