The Power of a Personal Note

Try this at home some time.

You come home from work and on your way into the house, you open the mailbox. Inside is a U-shaped bunch of paper which you already know isn’t worth your time other than to deposit in the recycling box.

But there in the middle of the soon-to-be post-consumer content is something that catches your eye. It stands out visually and commands your immediate attention. (1)

Then it stands out palpably, as you take it out of the box and admire its feel and appearance. (2)

Into the house you go, shrugging off your jacket and putting aside all the accoutrements of a day’s work. You pick it up and give it a closer inspection. (3)

Then it’s off to find an appropriate implement to open it because you know there’s something special inside. (4)

You open it, much like you would a gift, and read. (5) Then you place it in a careful spot.

There’s lots to be done this evening, just like any other evening in your busy life. But it draws you back. Maybe you’re having a glass of wine; maybe you’ve finally got dinner in the oven. It’s still there, right where you put it. You read it again. (6)

I wrote you that note. It took me only a few minutes.

In the span of perhaps an hour, I’ve brought your life to a screeching halt six times. And during those moments, you’ve done nothing but think about me.

Friday Eye Candy

It's hard to believe that the National Stationery Show is only a few weeks away. Hundreds of Crane stationers from around the world tour the Crane booth and place orders for the coming year. While the sales and marketing staff is busy with customers, Ms. Bliss and I annually host several dozen members of the national media who come to see the latest trends in fine stationery and personal correspondence.

Crane's May introductions are always eagerly anticipated, and this year is no exception. There's even one blockbuster that I can't tell you about yet, but Ms. Bliss and I will be blogging in real time from the show, so make sure to visit the Crane Insider every day from May 17-21 for all the latest.

This week's Friday Eye Candy gives you a sneak peek at four of the new stationery collections from Crane's May introductions that will debut at the show.

The Palazzo Collection adds a touch of European flair to a new line of cards, notes, thank-yous, imprintables and place cards.

Vintage maps and motifs adorn the Cartography Collection.

Bugs are big! Bug notes feature hand-engraved images of a butterfly, lady bug, grasshopper and dragongfly.

And finally, Crane's Dog Notes have been immensely popular for years. This year, you'll see a Golden Retriever, Scotty and a very proud Beagle!

Choosing Your “Green” Paper

Now that the annual green blitz from Earth Day has subsided, it’s time to get to work on the other 364 days Earth Days (actually 365 this year).

Since I’m a paper guy, let’s take a look at selecting an environmentally responsible paper. I’ve been at this a long time, and have learned that there is no single solution. All paper production, all paper use, has an impact on the environment. And despite protestations to the contrary from proponents of various options, there is no “best” paper. Yes, some are better than others, but attempts to quantify environmental impact through any form of lifecycle analysis fall far short of definitive.

I prefer a more personal approach by making a personal statement on every piece of paper we use. Now I know that’s not completely practical because I’m not going to write on that sticky note in front of me:

“I have no idea what this paper's made of or how it’s made and I could care less”

But that’s what I’m saying to myself and everyone else by using this paper that I know nothing about.

Let the medium be the message. Take the example of letterhead and business cards, two papers that project your personal and professional image. Think about what you would print at the bottom:

"I have no idea what this paper's made of or how it’s made and I could care less”

or

"Proudly printed on 100% cotton tree-free paper"

or

"Proudly printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper"

These few words printed on your most visible papers speak volumes about you and your business. You’ve done your homework. You’ve decided what’s important to you. You’ve decided to incorporate and communicate a message of environmental responsibility. And you’re proud to do so.

Take a look at your personal and professional papers.

What’s the message?

21st-Century Wedding Etiquette

So many questions; so little time.

I get questions all the time about the “proper” etiquette of correspondence. And many of those inquiries center around weddings. Some questions are relatively easy to answer; others are much more complicated.

“Proper” etiquette is a moving target. In Victorian times and well into the 20th century, there were hard-and-fast rules that defined proper etiquette for wedding correspondence. Though strict, these rules brought with them a level of comfort. This is how it’s done, now let’s deal with the cake.

As society evolves, so does etiquette. The fact that people are marrying later, the emergence of intercultural and interfaith marriages, second and third weddings, and alternative ceremonies are all contributing factors to the changing rules of etiquette. Many of the rules of etiquette were made (and continue to be made) to deal with changing social situations. Some of the etiquette deemed proper today would have been unthinkable a generation ago. And, surely, a generation from now many of the current guidelines will seem archaic and obsolete.
To assist today’s brides, and to help me with all those wedding etiquette questions, Crane has released its newest edition of the Wedding Blue Book.

This new edition continues to offer definitive rules relating to traditional correspondence and guidance for implementing a more contemporary approach to everything from save-the-date cards to thank-you notes.

The Blue Book features an easy-to-use format with more sample designs and examples of wording and an extensive selection of traditional and contemporary typestyles. The Blue Book has been expanded to address current and emerging trends in save-the-date cards, commitment ceremonies, wedding programs as well as religious and cultural considerations.

Here’s what my new BFF Letitia Baldridge, the nation’s leading etiquette authority, has to say about the new Wedding Blue Book:

“Greatly needed? Crane’s Wedding Blue Book, that’s what’s needed. Today’s world is in such a state of befuddlement regarding the dos and don’ts of behavior, it’s a joy to see the old traditional rules honored, but updated to make things work better. Thankfully, there’s a new elasticity in invitational language that is based on efficiency without sacrificing kindness.”

Friday Eye Candy

Whew, it's been a big day. This happens to me every year, the first really nice day here in Pownal, Vermont, and I've got to get everthing done, in addition to the day job.

Let's see, I bought seeds for my plot in the Community Garden. I started raking a spot of lawn. I bought a new lawnmower. I filled up my propane tank. And Sunday will be my first round of golf after a long winter layoff.

Anyway, I'm feeling very springy, and thought I would share with you some springy stationery for this week's Friday Eye Candy.

Enjoy your weekend!




Top row, from left, Spring Garden Thank-You Notes, Engraved Hummingbird Notes and Letterpress Woodcut Floral Wedding Invitations. Bottom row, from left, Wasabi Personalized Calling Card, Adirondack Chair Bar Harbor Notes, and kate spade butterfly place cards.