New Engraved Initial Notes Offered

Stationery designers find their inspiration from many sources. It may be nature; it may be fashion; it may be history, textures - you name it. Good designers can find inspiration almost everywhere and use their creative energies to produce truly beautiful products.

But all too often, stationery designers ignore what's going on around them when seeking inspiration. There is no real-time or real-world context. It's just beautiful art that is transformed into gorgeous stationery.

Here at Crane, we are expanding our stationery design creativity to include inspiration from real-life events; occasions of merit; things that are happening now. It allows us to be nimble and responsive to the fast-paced world in which we live.

The first fruits of these artistic endeavors is a new set of gold engraved initial notes. Simple, straightforward and elegant. Despite having a slightly narrower consumer appeal, stationery stores will love them. You only have to carry one SKU. We were going to wait until the National Stationery Show in May to make this introduction, but we must be nimble.

Introducing the Vice Presidential Gold Engraved Initial Note:

If you would like a set of Joe Biden Initial Notes for your Aunt Fannie, Uncle Frank or Sister Frederica, please let me know below.

Crane Products Chosen Louie Awards Finalists

We were thrilled to learn yesterday that three Crane products have been selected as finalists for the 22nd Annual Louie Awards, presented by the Greeting Card Association. The Louie Awards are considered the pinnacle of recognition by our peers in the industry, and it is indeed gratifying to receive such acknowledgement. All finalists will be displayed at the National Stationery Show in May, and winners will be announced at a special event on Monday, May 17, in New York.

Here are the finalists:

"A Little Bird Told Me" letterpressed birthday card

"Love is merely madness" anniversary card

And,the kate spade all-occasion greeting card gift set

In honor of their selection as Louie Award Finalists, I am going to give you a chance to win all three. Simply leave a comment below to enter.

And, before I forget, the winner of the Little Papers You Can Write Your Name On giveaway is commenter Dave Marler, who wrote:

While I would prefer the printed cards because of my poor penmanship, I do think the hand-written versions create a more personalized impression on the recipient. I would love to have the cards as I could make great use of them in spreading the word about my new business.

Dave: E-mail me your mailing address at peter (dot) hopkins@comcast.net

Letterpress Botanicals a Runaway Best-Seller

It seems that every year, there's one item or a collection of items that catches the public's fancy. Last year, it was the kate spade all-occasion greeting card gift set. And it's still selling really well. This year's shooting star is a collection of hand-drawn botanical designs letterpressed on Crane's Lettra paper.

They are available in folded notes, thank-you notes and imprintable invitations:

All are available at Crane's website, or you can go here to find a retailer nearest you. Make sure you call first to see if they're in stock. If not, they can be ordered.

To give credit where it's due, these lovely designs were hand-drawn by local artist Jessica Mormann.

Little Papers You Can Put Your Name On

Today is Freebie Friday here at The Crane Insider. The first order of business is to announce last week's winner, and that is - Lisa T! She left this comment:

I am brand new to gardening, so I'm sorry to say I do not have any tips. This will be my first spring with a patch of land to cultivate! I would love to win this pad and journal as I am sure that I'll be need to jot notes and such as I go along.

Wish me luck!


Congratulations Lisa. Send me your address at peter(dot)hopkins@comcast.net.


Here's what we've got on tap for today. (It's maple sugaring season here in Vermont!) Little papers you can put your name on. Place cards are such a simple way to dress up any dinner party, whether it's a full table of eight, or an intimate table for two. These place cards are so elegant. Their edges have been rounded, beveled and gilded with silver or gold. (You can see how it's done here).


Along with them, you will see one of my very favorite papers from the recent past: A boxed set of calling cards:

You know me; I love calling cards, and they have become quite the stationery phenomenon as you can see here. 


So, in order to win these little papers you can put you name on, I would like your opinion on boxed calling cards - cards on which you write your own name and contact information. Are they a good and safe means of exchanging contact information for young people? Are they too much trouble and you'd rather just have your information already printed on them? Would they provide an inexpensive entry for personal branding? 


What do you think?

Thank You

I haven't slowed down in a while to say thank you to those who read, who subscribe, who comment, who agree, who disagree and to all who make this blog thing lots of fun!

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