Shara's Paperie

We Are Ready For Spring

2011-02-26T17:52:00.004-06:00

This week February comes to an end and hopefully the cold weather does too! I am so ready for spring and the beautiful colors that come with it. Check out some of our favorite Confections by Shara’s Paperie Personalized Gifts, Stationery and Invitations in our fun spring designs.

Paperpalooza is Back!

2011-02-09T20:54:00.003-06:00

It's time once again for our annual Valentine’s Day Sale…Paperpalooza!! If you are the DIY crafter this is the sale you’ve been waiting for. We’ve bagged some of our favorite paper products along with pocketfolds, envelopes, glue dots, ribbon and scrapbook paper.

For a Valentine’s Day project we liked this idea from Martha Stewart

Tug at your valentine's heartstrings with an embellished envelope. Cut out the hearts from colored card stock using a specialty hole punch. Poke two holes into each heart with a needle, then sew the hearts onto dual-capacity envelopes using the needle and silk beading cord. Secure stitches with a double knot on the backside of the flaps. After inserting the valentine, close the envelope by winding a 5-inch length of the cord in a figure-eight motion around the hearts.

From Martha Stewart Living, February 2006

Shara's Paperie Wins WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards 2011

2011-02-03T20:06:00.005-06:00

We are so excited to announce that Shara’s Paperie was awarded the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for invitations!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Shara’s Paperie stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Shara’s Paperie for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Shara’s Paperie is among the very best stationer within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

I Love Thank You Notes...and so does CBS

2011-01-27T21:46:00.003-06:00

I absolutely love thank you notes! I think they are so important and one thing that is rarely thought about in today’s texting, emailing, social networking society. That is why I was so excited to see this article from CBS News Correspondent Steve Hartman.

With such fun patterns, how could you not want to write thank you notes all day! From the designs I chose to share on the blog, can you tell I’m ready for Spring!

Meet Virginia

2011-01-13T19:25:00.003-06:00

We thought we would start the new year off with a new blog series. We’ve mentioned the Shara's Paperie team many times because, well, they’re awesome! But until now we have kept their identities secret. We decided it was time for a change! In the next few months we will introduce members of Shara's team and give you a little peak into their lives.

Virginia is the Creative Director and is responsible for so many of the beautiful designs you’ll find at Shara’s Paperie and Confections by Shara's Paperie. She draws inspiration from fashion, architecture and varies blogs. She loves the colors chartreuse and navy. Virginia stays up to date on the design world and regularly checks blogs like DesignSponge and Mrs. Lilien.

Her biggest obsessions are running, beer, music, multiple tv shows and cooking (which hands down she is the best around here). She loves to spend her free time with her husband and walking her dog Roy at the park.

When I asked her about her favorite Confections product she very excitedly said stationery! She also loves notepads and strongly believes you can never have too many lists or too many pads.

In her own words…I like to find new things to be obsessed with, and then learn everything I can about them. I love documentaries and How it Works. My husband and I have a dog and cat that are a constant source of entertainment.

Check our blog to see what’s new at Confections and to meet the rest of the Shara's Paperie Team!

Fabulous iPhone Cases from Confections!

2010-12-02T21:54:00.003-06:00

The iPhone craze has swept not only the country but the world. It’s very unlikely to walk into any coffee shop, store or restaurant and not see multiple people using their iPhones. This is no different for the crew at Confections by Shara’s Paperie. Several of us have jumped on the iPhone bandwagon. This is great news for iPhone, but very confusing for us to tell whose phone is whose, especially when we have the same phone cases!

We noticed this was becoming a problem and thought we couldn’t be the only ones with this issue, so we created these fun iPhone cases. How amazing are these!

As with all of our personalized gifts, our iPhone cases are available in a variety of colors and designs and can be customized with your name, initials or monogram. And if you are anything like me, I’m sure you have dropped your iPhone on more than one occasion, which is why our cases offer tough protection. First, a silicone skin surrounds your iPhone completely, absorbing all impact and shock. Wrapped around the skin is a tough, ABS plastic shell, which completely secures your iPhone 4 and adds another level of protection. Each case is designed and heat printed so there is no fading or rubbing off.

We hope you love our iPhone cases as much as we do! And don't forget, order by December 12 for Christmas delivery!

The Power of Pink

2010-10-21T20:20:00.003-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is time to embrace the pink power! October is breast cancer awareness month, an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention and cure.

There are several activities throughout the month of October that allow you to show your support for this great cause. You can get active and participate in a run, walk or bike ride. If that’s not really your style you can simply show your support by wearing pink or organize a pink party to help raise money.

And guys, pink isn’t just for the ladies, look at the NFL. Players show support by wearing pink gloves, cleats and other apparel during games. Even Sports Illustrated added pink to their cover in support of breast cancer awareness.

Take a look at some of our favorite pink items for inspiration

Confections New Initial Stationery

2010-10-07T20:18:00.004-05:00

I love stationery and get so excited when we have a new design, I just can’t wait to share it with all of you!

Drum roll please…

To introduce our latest design we created a new line of initial stationery. The black and white pattern gives the stationery elegance while a bright colored initial provides fun with that extra pop.

Initial stationery always makes a perfect gift because it is so useful. Write a note to a friend, co-worker or your child’s teacher. Can’t find a good birthday card, make your own. And you know from my previous blog posts how perfect our stationery is for thank you notes.

Inspiration is Everywhere

2010-09-25T21:04:00.010-05:00

I have a major confession...I am a huge television fan. This week has been one of my favorites because it has been full of season premieres. All of my old shows are back and some new exciting shows were thrown in the mix.

One theme that I noticed with the start of this television season is weddings, which immediately made me think of invitations. This started the wheels turning in my head and along with the Confections team we created these new party invitations. We can't wait to hear what you think!

Weddings come with lots of parties and after seeing all the tv weddings we decided to add to our wedding party line.

But once we got started we couldn’t stop so we created these new birthday invitations…

Are you a television fan too? Which shows are you most excited about?

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

2010-09-04T19:46:00.006-05:00

Do you remember the first week of school when all of your teachers would give you the same assignment...write a paper about your summer vacation? No matter if you were in third grade or tenth, every teacher kicked the year off with this question. In honor of Labor Day and the official end of summer vacation I thought I'd take on this assignment, after all, Confections and Shara's Paperie had a very busy summer!

We started off our summer vacation with new designs for our favorite personalized gifts. We introduced new cutting boards, coasters and water bottles to coordinate with your backyard BBQ. We also came up with new stationery and invitations to put you in the summer mood.

In the stationery world we are always ahead a few seasons so in June we gave you a sneak peek at our new holiday line, complete with reindeer and gingerbread men. Then we took our personalized plates to the next level and created personalized Day of the Week Plates.

We really wanted to end summer with a bang so last week we introduced our newest product, Confections Lucite Trays. To us, these Lucite trays are the last trip before school starts, we've been looking forward to it all summer and it did not disappoint. With an endless possibility of ways to use them and a plethora of designs, we think the Lucite trays are the best way to end our summer.

Now we just have one question for you...how was your summer vacation?

I Love Lucite

2010-08-26T21:36:00.007-05:00

I am so excited to introduce our newest edition to the Confections personalized gift line…Lucite trays, available in 3 great sizes!

You can use them to serve drinks and appetizers at a party, to hold the remote on your coffee table, as a cosmetic or jewelry organizer…the possibilities are endless!

Each tray includes a vinyl, reversible insert that can be personalized on both sides, creating two different looks.

We wanted to create a great product that is durable and easy to clean and that’s exactly what we were able to do with these trays. The vinyl that we use is created to be sturdy and infinitely reusable, no worries if it gets wet. To clean the tray, simply slip out the insert and wash gently with soap and water. The insert can also be wiped down with a damp cloth.

We love our Lucite trays and think you will too! Let us know what you think and what uses you come up with for your personalized Lucite tray!

Click here to view the collection!

We have the BEST clients!

2010-08-19T20:22:00.002-05:00

Today’s blog is dedicated to you, our clients. It’s because of each and every one of you that we are able to do what we do. What we love even more than creating new designs and fun products is the reaction we get from our wonderful clients.

We wanted to share these kind thoughts from two of our clients…

I began shopping at Shara's soon after the store opened. My daughter and I love beautiful paper and Shara's is a feast for the eyes. The array of unique papers, cards, invitations and accessories give Memphis a shopping experience such as one would find in a larger city like Chicago or Atlanta.The best thing about Shara's is Shara! She remembers my "likes" and taste and she goes out of her way to ask about my family. Her support staff is great!Shara's is a business that is hard to find today, one with a friendly, hard-working shopkeeper, knowledgeable employees and lovely products.-Lisa

I’m reminded of the time when we met. I brought to you a sketchy idea and my baby's life in a few photos shopping for an invite to her graduation party. You framed this concept with your words in the loveliest invite. It's like you knew her your whole life! You have a special way of personal service with intuitive insight, so much like an artist. And, you have been consistent with my expectations.I so appreciate your artistic talents and personal touch that have delighted my family and added so much to "start the party". –Mona

Shara’s Paperie opened in 2004 and because of our extraordinary clients we were able to create Confections by Shara’s Paperie three years later. We would not have been as successful or grown so much if it wasn’t for our clients.

The Shara’s Paperie and Confections by Shara’s Paperie team want to thank all of our clients! We love what we do and are so happy that you do too!

Please and Thank You

2010-08-01T20:30:00.002-05:00

On a recent vacation we stopped by the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan where I came across this sign…

It made me think about the importance of manners, courtesy and etiquette even in today’s “modern world”.

One of the most overlooked forms of communication today are handwritten thank you notes. It's easy to thank someone for a gift by shooting them a quick email or posting a message on their Facebook wall. But the reality is a warm, personalized, handwritten thank you note, regardless how short, really lets the recipient know how much you appreciate them. Thank you notes should not only be used when receiving gifts, but following a job interview, as condolence cards and when someone has expressed hospitality, like letting you stay at their house.

Hostess gifs are also a great way to thank someone for having you over, whether for a dinner party or a weekend stay. Unfortunately a lot of people are so busy they don’t think about hostess gifts and thank you notes. Confections has an amazing assortment of custom gifts for every occasion.

Take a look around the Confections website and don’t forget to find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Summer Fun with Style

2010-07-15T19:25:00.003-05:00

Can you believe it’s already the middle of July! Wow, this summer is really flying by. If you are like me then during the summer, you love nothing more than to be entertaining friends and family with a backyard party.

While the burgers are cooking on the grill, I love to serve my guests fresh fruit and veggies with dip, and what better way to display my yummy appetizers then on a Confections cutting board. With all of the great designs and bright colors, these cutting boards were meant to be used for more then just cutting, so show them off!

I also love mixing fun cocktails to enjoy while relaxing in a comfy lounge chair. This is when the Confections personalized coasters comes in handy. You can coordinate them to match with your cutting board!

I thought I would share some of my favorite summer drink recipes, try them out and let us know what you think...

Watermelon-Coconut Cooler (Recipe courtesy Food Network Magazine)
Serves: 8 servings
Directions: Blend 8 cups frozen cubed watermelon with 8 ounces lemon vodka, 7 ounces simple syrup and a 17.5-ounce can coconut juice. Serve with watermelon wedges.

Red Wine Punch (Courtesy of Food Network Magazine)
Serves: 6 servings
Directions: Combine 1 bottle red wine, 6 ounces brandy, 6 ounces raspberry or orange liqueur and the juice of 2 lemons in a large pitcher and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve over ice and garnish with raspberries and orange slices.

What's trendy...Confections by Shara's Paperie!

2010-07-08T21:21:00.003-05:00

Confections by Shara’s Paperie is in the Summer 2010 Issue of Stationery Trends! We are so honored and thrilled that we were asked to be apart of this interview. Shara Danziger, along with other experts in the stationery field, was asked her opinion on what is trendy right now. Here’s what Shara had to say…

We always keep the latest trends in mind when we are designing our products and that keeps us at the forefront in the business.

Our fabulous lunchboxes were also included in the issue…

Stationery Trends magazine seeks to guide stationery retailers in their quest to offer the latest designs and trends to their customers — including everything from stationery and greeting cards to gifts. The design-focused trade magazine provides retailers with a peek at some of the industry's hottest designers and most sought-after products. Stationery Trends reports on upcoming trends before they hit the mainstream, ensuring its audience of diverse retailers is always ahead of the curve.

See What's New

2010-07-02T17:27:00.003-05:00

What an exciting week it’s been for Confections! Not only did we add new designs for our Personalized Clipboards, but we are now included on Invitation Buzz and Pineapple Panache.

Invitation Buzz is a directory of stationery designers, retailers & manufacturers. We are so thrilled to be included on their website and with such fabulous company.

Pineapple Panache Marketplace is the central spot of southern shopping with that special welcome you expect when you walk into a corner shoppe on Main Street but with the ease of online shopping. Pineapple Panache is such a fun website and we love being apart of this great group.

Visit both websites and check out our pages, then let us know what you think!

And if you’ve looked around the Confections website recently you might notice a few changes, and they are all thanks to you. We’ve made the site more user- friendly and we added a Google search engine.

The Shara’s Paperie team would like to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July!

Jingle Bells in June

2010-06-24T18:34:00.003-05:00

My past few blog entries have been about summertime, because, well it is summertime! But today I thought I would share what is really going through the minds of the Shara's Paperie team…Christmas!

I know it sounds crazy, especially since here in Memphis it’s been close to 100 degrees almost every day, but the holiday season is all we can think about. And there is a good reason for that.

In our world, we have to be 4-6 months ahead so we can meet our production and print deadlines. So while most people are enjoying the summer heat and hanging by the pool, we are thinking about snow, Santa and hot chocolate.

So when Christmas time does get here, we’ll be thinking about cookouts and pool parties…we are always a few seasons ahead!

Enjoy this sneak peek into our newest holiday collection.

Don't forget to check our Facebook page every day for our secret sale!!

News from Shara's Paperie!

2010-06-17T20:54:00.008-05:00

It’s been an exciting week for Confections and Shara's Paperie. First we started working on a new personalized gift that we will be introducing very soon. The prototype came in and it’s even more amazing then we expected. We aren’t quite ready to share all of the juicy details yet, but check back very soon!

The second bit of exciting news for the week is that we received this wonderful email from a client who ordered one of our cutting boards.

Hello! Just wanted to write and let you know that we love the cutting board. Thank you for offering something that is cute and modern! We ordered it to use in the top of a bookshelf my dad was making for my daughter. It is now done, and I thought you'd like to see how it came out. There is even a light under the cutting board -- it looks cool at night!

Thanks!
Sherri

We love hearing from our clients and we were so pleased that Sherri took the time to show us what creative idea she had. What a great idea!

I also wanted to use this blog post to share some upcoming news with you, if you are not Facebook friends with us, you should be! Next week Shara’s Paperie will have a special item on sale everyday! But the only way to know what item is by checking our Facebook page. Click on the button below to become our friend.

Are you ready for summer?

2010-06-10T21:05:00.002-05:00

Summer officially started last week with Memorial Day. Pools are now open, temperatures are scorching (at least here in Memphis) and kids everywhere are celebrating.

Longer summer days mean fun family cookouts and pool parties with friends. But are you ready for it all? Let Confections by Shara's Paperie help you have a great summer.

While you are relaxing by the pool watching the kids play an intense game of marco polo, you can enjoy a nice drink from your Confections personalized water bottle.

And as the smell of bar-be-que fills the air, you can use your Confections Cutting Board to display appetizers like fresh fruit, cheeses, or veggies and dips.

Since we are in Memphis we thought it would be appropriate to share one of our favorite bar-be-que recipes with you. Let us know what you think!

The Importance of Color

2010-06-03T20:39:00.002-05:00

Take a minute and look around the room. What do you see? No matter what it is, you should see color. We are surrounded every day by color, whether it’s the paint on the walls around us or the flowers and trees outside.

Today I wanted to share this video about Pantone. Pantone, Inc is the world-renowned authority on color. For more than 45 years, Pantone has been inspiring design professionals (including us) with products, services and leading technology for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity.

One of the biggest themes I noticed from this inside look at Pantone is that color conveys feelings and emotions. Because of this it plays an incredibly important role in design, whether its fashion, interior design, graphic design or of course stationery.

Check out the video 360° Color: A Peek Inside Pantone for a closer look. After you watch the video look around our site to see how we use Pantone’s colors as inspiration in our designs.

School's Out...Let the Summer Festivities Begin!

2010-05-27T13:20:00.004-05:00

This week marked the end of the school year here in Memphis. And with the extremely warm weather we’ve been having it seems like summer is officially here! That means its time to start thinking about summer camp. Confections by Shara’s Paperie has everything you need to get ready for the season.

One of our most recent additions to the Confections line is personalized luggage tags. Made of hard plastic to withstand everyday use, our custom luggage tags will help your camper keep up with their belongings. Your kids will love these brightly colored tags each with a fun distinctive pattern to set their bags apart from everyone else.

What would summer be without fun outdoors? An important part to being outside during these hot months is to drink plenty of water. You won’t hear any arguments about that when your kids see our fun and stylish water bottles. Our aluminum water bottles hold 20 ounces and come complete with two caps and a hook attachment. Designs are fused to the surface of the bottle for a long lasting finish that is durable and personal.

Summer fun comes with plenty of stains and what could be more useful while away at camp than laundry bags. Sure, laundry bags sound like a mundane object, but when you add our great designs and personalization Confections’ new laundry bags become a must have for the summer.

You will want to know all about your camper’s day and what could be better than personalized stationery. Our stationery is printed on heavy card stock in bright vivid colors. Add your camper’s name with one of our great patterns for a custom look your kids will be excited to write home.

We are adding new gifts and designs to our Confections line every day so check back soon to see what’s new!

Happy Summer Vacation!

New York Stationery Show 2010

2010-05-21T12:05:00.001-05:00

I am lucky, really lucky. Every year on the middle of May I get to travel from my home in Memphis, TN to New York City and attend the National Stationery Show. The only show devoted to buyers and sellers of paper, and we all know I LOVE PAPER. The way it feels, smells, looks and the significance it adds to an event. This trade show is something that I look forward to every year. In the world today of texts, emails, Iphones, etc there is nothing like getting somethinng wonderful in the mail. Be it an invitation, greeting card or thank you note. It leaves a mark, a memory and a keepsake for the receiver. And let's face it, you cannot frame a text message.

The Stationery Show this year was covered by the New York Times. A fabulous article on why paper is so important today. Check out the article at http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/when-its-important-its-paper/.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Don't Forget To Say Thank You

2010-05-06T13:51:00.004-05:00

I have talked about the importance of thank you notes before. I love thank you notes, the pretty papers and styles, the fun pens and most importantly sending someone who did something special for me happy thoughts. But I am beginning to understand not everyone feels the same way.

Currently I am interviewing candidates for an open position we have at Shara’s Paperie. Unfortunately I have not been impressed with my potential employees. Not that they aren’t a very qualified group of individuals or anything, but not one has sent me a thank you note for meeting with them.

For all of you college graduates starting the interview process let me give you a piece of advice, no matter how the interview goes you must always send a thank you note. And emails don’t cut it!

Out of courtesy to your interviewer, you need to take the time to sit down and properly construct a thank you note. It only needs to be a few lines that shows your potential boss how much you appreciate them taking time out of their day to meet with you.

Besides don’t you think its fun to find a unique paper that perfectly fits you and personalize it with your name or monogram, and then show it off!

Great Gifts for Graduation

2010-04-29T13:12:00.009-05:00

The school year is drawing to a close but before we can start summer vacation we have some celebrating to do! Its time for graduation!

Whether your little one just finished their first year of kindergarten or you’re shopping for a college grad, Confections by Shara’s Paperie has a great line of gifts your graduate will love.

For your kindergarten graduate a fun lunchbox personalized with their name and favorite colors will give them a great start for elementary school. If you’re looking for a gift for a preteen ready to start high school, our custom water bottles are the perfect accessory. The high schooler going off to college will love our personalized clipboards and new luggage tags. And for the college graduate entering the world, personalized stationery will come in handy as they look for that first job.

To really get in celebration mode check out our party invitations. All of our invitations can be customized for any graduation party or announcement. Plus come by the store to see all of the great gifts for all of your graduates, including sticky wall frames, magnet boards and acrylic note holders.

Shara’s Paperie would like to wish all of the graduates good luck and congratulations…you did it!

Celebrate Earth Day With Personalized Gifts

2010-04-22T11:57:00.004-05:00

Happy Earth Day! In honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day check out Confections’ environmentally friendly aluminum water bottles. Each personalized water bottle holds 20 ounces and comes complete with two caps and a hook attachment, making it easy to tote around. Our fun designs are imprinted and then fused to the surface of the bottle for a long lasting, durable finish.

And don’t forget about Mother’s Day…MAY 9TH!! There is still enough time to order Confections’ personalized gifts, like our Tempered Glass Cutting Boards. But get your orders in soon! Or come by the store and check out all the new gifts in from the New York International Gift Fair, like a monogrammed silk cosmetic bag or collapsible flower vase.

You can also place your order for a delicious cake from Cake Bliss. Cake Bliss offers a variety of pound cake flavors including butter, blueberry lemon, rum-infused raisin, cinnamon walnut, lemon ginger, sweet coconut lime and chocolate chocolate chip. Cakes are available as 8 inch cakes, 10 inch cakes, Double Decker cakes and one dozen individual Mini Bundt Cakes.

Need help finding your luggage?

2010-04-19T11:45:00.002-05:00

How often do you stand at the baggage carousel waiting for your luggage at the airport, checking every black bag that comes down because you think it might be yours? Even though luggage has now branched out with colors like gray or red, they all seem to look the same.

Here at Confections by Shara's Paperie, we have put our design skills to work and come up with these trendy and colorful luggage tags. With these distinctive patterns it will be hard to miss your luggage.

And with summer being just around the corner, summer vacation and summer camp is close behind. Confections luggage tags are a great gift for your little camper or graduates.

We have shopped around to find the best luggage tags for you. They are made of hard plastic to withstand everyday use.

Take a look at all the great designs and let us know what you think!

National Letter Writing Month

2010-04-08T15:34:00.001-05:00

April not only brings showers and springtime, but its National Letter Writing Month.

A time for all of us to step away from the computer, internet and cell phones, pull out a pretty piece of paper or stationery and a pen and actually write a letter.

We’ve talked before about the importance of writing thank you notes, but a written letter is just as significant and even more overlooked. Letter writing has become a lost art, but this month try to challenge yourself to write at least one letter to a friend or loved one. They will be so excited to see something in their mailbox other than a bill or advertisement and writing a letter will make you feel good too.

You’ll enjoy writing your letter even more if it’s on fun stationery that shows off your personal style. Shara’s Paperie and Confections have many stationery styles to choose from and all can be personalized with names, initials or monograms. Once you have your stationery its time to write your letter.

Good luck and have fun!

Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

2010-03-25T12:32:00.003-05:00

Mother’s Day is May 9th, just a little over a month away. If you are like me and struggle to find a great gift for Mom, take a look at the great selection of gifts from Shara’s Paperie.

Confections’ Tempered Glass Cutting Boards are practical as well as stylish enough to leave on the countertop or buffet. Add your family name, initial or monogram to give your gift a personalized touch, and you still have enough time to customize it before Mother’s Day. Personalized gifts typically ship within 10 - 14 business days.

Are you giving Mom a Mother’s Day Brunch? You can use the cutting board as a serving tray to display a variety of gourmet cheeses, fruits or Mom’s favorite appetizer. Add to the festive décor with our new beautiful cloth cocktail napkins and flower vases that are unbreakable, collapsible and reusable. For the coffee lover, we have a fun cappuccino mug set, just in from the New York International Gift Fair.

And don’t forget about our wonderful vendor Cake Bliss when you are looking for a great cake for Mom. Cake Bliss offers a variety of pound cake flavors including butter, blueberry lemon, rum-infused raisin, cinnamon walnut, lemon ginger, sweet coconut lime and chocolate chocolate chip. Cakes are available as 8 inch cakes, 10 inch cakes, Double Decker cakes and one dozen individual Mini Bundt Cakes. Orders can be placed at Shara’s Paperie.

Shara's Paperie on Groupon.com

2010-03-23T16:11:00.000-05:00

New Spring Designs

2010-03-18T12:52:00.002-05:00

The weather is getting warmer, trees are blooming, the days are longer…all signs that Spring is here! After months of cold weather and snow we can finally enjoy being outside without heavy coats and several layers of clothing.

The beautiful weather and anticipation for sunny days ahead has inspired Confections by Shara's Paperie to create new designs for our aluminum water bottles. Not only will these fun designs put you in the springtime mood but they are the perfect accessory for all of your outside activities.

Party time at Confections

2010-03-11T12:27:00.001-06:00

Hello and happy Thursday!

If you’ve looked around the Confections by Shara's Paperie website lately you will have noticed a lot of changes and the addition of several new items including personalized cutting boards, sticky note cubes and coasters. Today I would like to introduce you to our most recent addition…new invitations.

We have created and added invitations for every type of party you can imagine. We have baby and bridal shower invitations, invitations for a bachelorette party and housewarming, children’s birthday party and adult birthday party invitations and so much more!

So pull out the party hats and dust off those dancing shoes because its party time at Confections!

New from Confections...Personalized Coasters

2010-03-04T14:09:00.003-06:00

A few months ago we designed coasters for the launch of Justin Timberlake’s 901 Tequila and were featured at the luncheon for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Since then we have been working on creating a new line of coasters and with the introduction of our cutting boards we thought new coasters to match would be a perfect pairing!

Available in sets of 4 and complete with a cork bottom, these coasters will make a great housewarming or hostess gift. All of the fun designs can stand alone or add a personal touch by including a name, monogram or initial.

Alone or paired with our Personalized Cutting Boards, these Coasters will brighten up anyone’s home!

Confections Introduces Personalized Sticky Note Cubes

2010-02-25T14:03:00.003-06:00

Is your desk as plain as they come? A lot of the time we forget our office supplies can be cute and fun. Confections by Shara's Paperie understands this dilemma and has created these great Sticky Note Cubes.

Each side contains one of our great patterns and a personalization of your choosing whether it's a name, monogram or initial. Every cube measures at 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square and contains 700 sheets of paper with an adhesive strip.

Our Personalized Sticky Note Cubes will make a great gift for any occasion! Visit www.confectionsbysharaspaperie.com and let us know which design is your favortie!

Why give a personalized gift…

2010-02-18T14:33:00.002-06:00

Finding a great gift for someone can be very aggravating. You can wander around a mall for hours trying to find something that person will love and cherish only to become frustrated. That’s why personalized gifts make such a great present. Not only can you customize it to that person’s tastes, but it also shows them how much you really care.

When giving a personalized gift you have to take the time to think about your recipient, for example if you are shopping for a new homeowner you might look at return address labels, cutting boards or thank you notes.

We love personalized gifts and are always adding to our Confections line. We also try to find gifts that vary in price to give you more options. Our gifts range from $10-$40.

Confections by Shara’s Paperie present Tempered Glass Cutting Boards

2010-02-11T12:38:00.006-06:00

Does your kitchen need jazzing up? Confections by Shara’s Paperie has the perfect solution…introducing Tempered Glass Cutting Boards!

Available in many patterns and colors these coated glass cutting boards are durable and dishwasher safe. Confections cutting boards are great for every occasion including housewarming gifts, hostess gifts, shower gifts, birthday gifts, or just because they are so fun gifts.

Visit www.confectionsbysharaspaperie.com to see all of the designs. We are very excited about these glass cutting boards and can’t wait to hear what you think...

Shara's Paperie Paper Palooza Sale

2010-02-04T13:24:00.003-06:00

Here at Shara's Paperie we started spring cleaning a little early and discovered a lot of fun paper perfect for Valentine's Day. So we decided to have a BIG SALE!!!

Next week, February 8-13, come in the store and purchase a bag for $10 to fill with as much paper, cardstock and envelopes as you can fit.

You can also check out our beautiful ribbons, jewels and accessories to really make your Valentine unique.

Writing Thank You Notes

2010-01-28T14:19:00.002-06:00

Thank you notes are probably one of the most overlooked forms of communication today. It’s easy to thank someone for a gift by shooting them a quick email or posting a message on their Facebook wall. But the reality is a warm, personalized, handwritten thank you note, regardless how short, really lets the recipient know how much you appreciate them. Thank you notes should not only be used when receiving gifts, but following a job interview, as condolence cards and when someone has expressed hospitality (like letting you stay at their house).

Most people struggle with what they should write in their thank you notes when really it’s quite easy. It is not necessary to write a long, drawn out message when four simple sentences will do. First greet your gift giver using their name. Secondly, express your gratitude and discuss how you will use the gift. Then mention how nice it was to see them. And lastly give them a final thank you.

For example:
Dear Amy,

Thank you so much for the personalized water bottle. I can’t wait to show it off at my spin class next week. It was great seeing you at my birthday party and I hope to see you again soon. Thanks again for your gift.

With Love,
Shara

That’s all there is to it! The only hard part is trying to decide what stationery to use. Shara’s Paperie has a lot of options for you to choose from including Confections by Shara’s Paperie, Whitney English and Boatman Geller. It’s a good idea to stay away from full sized sheets since your message will be short, flat and folded notes are best. You can find the design that fits your style and have it personalized with your name or monogram.

Come by Shara’s Paperie to find the stationery that’s right for you. You can also go to the Confections website, http://www.confectionsbysharaspaperie.com/.

Spring has Sprung at Shara’s Paperie

2010-01-21T13:13:00.003-06:00

I know it’s still January and we have a few more months of winter, but at Shara’s Paperie it feels like spring! This time of year the store becomes a revolving door for brides looking for wedding invitations…otherwise known as wedding season. Luckily the Shara’s Paperie design team is ready for wedding season and has created several new wedding invitations. Brides can also coordinate their invitations, save-the-dates, thank you notes, programs and menus with our new designs.

Visit our Inspiration Gallery to see all of our wedding invitations including the new designs!

Holiday Gift Ideas!

2009-12-17T12:48:00.002-06:00

Christmas is barely a week away and shoppers are running around like crazy trying to find gifts for all of their loved ones. One of the best gifts I found for my friends and family is stationery, which is something everyone needs but rarely buy for themselves. With so many different designs it’s simple to find stationery for even the pickiest person on your list. Confections by Shara’s Paperie has cute illustrations for kids, elegant and fun designs for women and classic stationery for men. All of the stationery can be personalized and ready in time for Christmas!

Another great gift idea are the 2010 Confections by Amy Hutcheson Calendars. Complete with illustrations by Memphis artist Amy Hutcheson these calendars are brightly colored with cute characters. A great addition to any girl or woman’s room is the All Dressed Up Calendar with a different flirty dress for each month. The Bugs Bugs Bugs Calendar and Monster Calendar are great for anyone of any age with colorful monsters and cute crawly bugs on each page. Another option is the Color-Me Monster Calendar allowing kids and adults to use their imagination and make the calendar their own. The 2010 Calendars are all ready for Christmas.

Still have holiday shopping to do? Its not too late!!

2009-12-14T14:27:00.002-06:00

You still haven’t found the perfect gift for your loved ones, friends or co-workers…no worries! Shara’s Paperie has great gifts and a fast printing turnaround so you won’t have to fret about having your gifts in time for Christmas. We just introduced the new line of calendars from Confections by Shara's Paperie featuring the fun illustrations of Amy Hutcheson and they make perfect gifts for kids and adults. With silly monsters, cute bugs and girly dresses these calendars are a great way to start off the New Year. Plus you can never go wrong with our personalized stationery and paper accessories.

Stop by the store or click through the Confections by Shara's Paperie website for all your holiday needs!

Shopping for a Cause

2009-11-24T14:14:00.000-06:00

Shara’s Paperie is hosting our annual Gift of Giving holiday party to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation on Thursday, December 3.

The event will take place at our store, 1789 Kirby Parkway from 6:00 PM-9:00 PM. 10% of all sales made during the holiday event will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South. Stop by Shara’s Paperie and join in the festivities, plus stock up on great personalized gifts, stationery and more.

We can’t wait to see you at our holiday party!

Confections featured on Greeting Magazine website

2009-11-20T10:22:00.001-06:00

It is a very exciting day at Confections by Shara's Paperie. We are a featured product line on the Greetings Magazine website. While many of you may not be familiar with Greetings, it is a trade publication for the stationery world. To be featured on their website is fabulous and we wanted to share the good news. You can check out the Greetings website by going to greetingsmagazine.com Happy Friday everyone!

Personalize Your Holiday Gifts with Confections Gift Labels

2009-11-19T11:43:00.002-06:00

Happy Thursday everyone! Well Thanksgiving is a week away and we all know what that means…the holiday season is officially here! But no need to go into panic mode, Confections by Shara’s Paperie has you covered. As has been the trend the last few months, every Thursday we present you with an item of the week and this week is no different. To help you prepare for the madness of the holidays, this week’s item is Confections Round and Square Gift Labels. These labels have so much personality and will really add pizzazz to any gift package. Plus you can coordinate your gift labels with matching stationery. It’s never too early to start thinking about thank you notes for all the great gifts you’ll receive!

Confections Introduces More New Designs!

2009-11-12T12:36:00.002-06:00

The Confections design team is a bunch of busy bees! Last week I told you about the new plate and bowl designs, but we couldn’t stop there. Once the creative juices started to flow we came up with new spiral notebook designs, which we proudly present to you this week. These notebooks are a fun and functional gift for anyone!

Like all of our notebooks, our unique custom designs are printed on both sides and have a sturdy laminated cover. Each book contains 50 double-sided, wide ruled, standard size (8.5" x 11") sheets. And the new designs have been added to our Pocket Folders, so you can mix and match with the folders and spiral notebooks.

Click here to see all of our new Spiral Notebook designs!

New Designs from Confections by Shara's Paperie

2009-11-05T13:48:00.002-06:00

The Confections team has been hard at work creating new designs and we are so excited to present our new plate and bowl collections. Our melamine plates and bowls are not only dishwasher safe, but very durable even in your kids hands. All of the designs can stand alone or be monogrammed or personalized.

Recently my cousin had a baby and I wanted to find the perfect new baby gift. I didn’t have to look far, Confections new plates were exactly what I needed. Not only are they great for kids and babies, but they can be used for any occasion, like engagement gifts or new home gifts. Click through the Plate and Bowl sections on the Confections website and let us know what you think about the new designs!

Shara's Paperie is in the Memphis Flyer blog!

2009-11-05T13:03:00.007-06:00

We are so excited about our Cake Bliss Party being mentioned in today's Memphis Flyer blog! Today at Shara's Paperie we will launch Cake Bliss with a cake tasting party from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Come by the store and sample all the delicious cakes! Check out the Memphis Flyer blog post.

Let’s Talk Personalized Gifts

2009-10-29T15:27:00.002-05:00

The holidays will be here before we know it and everyone is thinking about that perfect gift. Whenever I see a new Confections product I immediately think about a person in my life, whether it’s a friend, family member or co-worker who most would enjoy it. For instance, my brother spends a lot of time at the gym and a water bottle would be a great gift for him. I can find a design that I know he will love and customize it with his favorite colors and his name or initials.

What I find most interesting about the personalized gifts we carry is that they are all so unique and are all items that can’t be found anywhere else. We create exclusive designs and can change those designs to fit a specific clients needs. Recently a client asked us if we could change our crab design from red to blue. Because we create the designs and illustrations we have the freedom to make those changes and create a customized gift our clients will love.

When thinking about your holiday shopping, or any occasion, click through the Personalized Gifts section on the Confections by Shara's Paperie and find the perfect gift!

The Handwritten Note

2009-10-22T14:36:00.002-05:00

With the convenience of email and text messaging, the handwritten note is often forgotten. Recently I put together a big event which required a lot of volunteers. I don’t know how I would have gotten through the day without them. I wanted to show my appreciation and the first idea that came to my mind was Thank You Notes. While I’ll admit it’s sometimes easier to send a quick text message, it’s much more thoughtful to sit down and write a handwritten note, and really think about what you want to say. And I get excited looking through all the stationery and finding which one I want to use. Shara’s Paperie has so many different stationeries to choose from that finding the right design was not an easy choice. Ultimately I decided on the Confections by Shara’s Paperie Jewel Tone Initial Notes.

Photo Sessions this Saturday!!

2009-10-19T12:19:00.002-05:00

We will be hosting photographer Norman Gilbert for holiday card photo sessions this Saturday, October 24th from 12:00-5:00. Sessions are still available, call Shara's Paperie now at 901-737-5056 to schedule your appointment!

Sessions are $50 and your photo can be applied to any of the new holiday cards from the Confections collection.

Same day orders will be eligible for a 20% discount, orders placed at a later date receive a 15% discount.

After this Saturday there are only 3 photo session dates left!!!

Next Photo Sessions...

Sunday, November 15 ~ 12:00 until 5:00
Thursday, December 3 ~ 3:00 until 5:00
Saturday, December 19 ~ 12:00 until 5:00

Confections by Shara's Paperie Stationery included in Justin Timberlake's SWAG Bags!!

2009-10-19T11:51:00.002-05:00

Justin Timberlake and Friends, a Special Evening Benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children was this weekend. We are so excited about Confections stationery being added to the SWAG bags for this event. Celebrities like Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift, Ciara and Snoop Dogg all received SWAG Bags…and our stationery!!!

In May Justin launched his own brand of Tequila, 901. As part of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, a luncheon was held which included several celebrity guests and the coasters we created with Justin’s 901 Tequila.

Confections by Shara's Paperie Introduces Calling Cards for New Product Thursday

2009-10-15T12:13:00.002-05:00

Today’s new product in the spotlight is Confections’ Calling Cards. These colorful cards are great for sharing contact information in a less formal way than professional business cards. With the holidays coming up you can enclose your calling cards with all of your gifts. Wonderful for the busy mom on the go to easily exchange contact information for her child’s play date (Confections offers fun designs especially for kids), or the recent college grad on the hunt for their first job. Available in many different styles, Confections by Shara’s Paperie has the calling card perfect for every occasion. Pair our customized cards with coordinating stationery for an extra special gift!

New Product Thursday Presents…MAGNETS!

2009-10-08T13:22:00.003-05:00

The design team at Confections by Shara’s Paperie has created these fun magnets, perfect for any occasion. They make great personalized gifts for kids, save the date announcements and birthday gifts. And with the holidays coming up soon, these magnets would make great stocking stuffers.

Confections by Shara's Paperie Designs Stationery for the Stars

2009-10-06T13:59:00.004-05:00

Confections by Shara’s Paperie is very excited to announce that our stationery has been added to the swag bags for Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Celebrities like Taylor Swift and Alicia Keys will be going home with our stationery!

We also created these fun coasters promoting Justin’s new Tequila 901 to be used at the Luncheon.

Photo Sessions Still Available

2009-10-02T13:41:00.001-05:00

Shara’s Paperie is pleased to announce that we’ll be hosting photographer Norman Gilbert for photo sessions at the store this holiday season. Norm will be offering half hour holiday photo sessions for $49. At no additional charge, your photos can be used for any holiday card from Shara’s Paperie, including the new, exclusive Confections Holiday Album. Orders placed on the day of your photo shoot will be eligible for a 20% discount. You can also order your holiday cards at a later date and still receive a 15% discount.

Additional photo files can be purchased after January 15th, 2010.

Photo Session Dates:
Saturday, October 24 ~ 12:00 until 5:00
Sunday, November 15 ~ 12:00 until 5:00
Thursday, December 3 ~ 3:00 until 5:00
Saturday, December 19 ~ 12:00 until 5:00

call Shara’s Paperie at 901.737.5056 to schedule your photo session

New Holiday Cards!

2009-10-01T15:12:00.002-05:00

Happy Thursday! Today is the first day of October, which means the holidays will be here before we know it! Scary thought isn’t it. To make all the stresses of the holiday season melt away check out the new Confections by Shara's Paperie Holiday Section. The Confections designers have been busy creating new Holiday Photo Cards perfect to send to your family, friends and business associates. Choose either a folded photo card and have your customized greeting on the inside of the card. Or the flat photo card for a more modern holiday card. We make this as easy as pie, just email us your digital photo and we take care of the rest.

Confections Introduces Water Bottles!

2009-09-24T11:29:00.002-05:00

Every time I go to the grocery the number one thing on my list is bottled water. Its not that I prefer bottled water over tap water, its just bottled water is so much easier to grab quickly from the fridge and run out the door. That’s why I was so excited to see for New Product Thursday, Confections is introducing a line of aluminum water bottles!

These water bottles hold 20 ounces and come with two caps and a hook attachment…perfect for a quick grab as you’re walking out the door. They are durable and personal with the designs fused to the surface of the bottle for a long lasting finish. Check out all the great designs and think about how much money you’ll save not having to buy a big case of water with every trip to the grocery.

New Product Thursday!!

2009-09-17T11:30:00.002-05:00

We are so excited about the Confections Lunchboxes we just can’t stop blogging about them! These great Personalized Lunchboxes are printed with fun designs and bright colors on both sides. They are fun for lunchtime and make a great storage container for your kid’s toys or anything else they can imagine.

Go to http://www.confectionsbysharaspaperie.com/ to see all the great lunchbox designs and check back every Thursday for the New Product of the Week!

Holiday Photo Problem Solved!

2009-09-15T14:03:00.003-05:00

Shara’s Paperie is pleased to announce that we’ll be hosting photographer Norman Gilbert for photo sessions at the store this holiday season. Norm will be offering half hour holiday photo sessions for $49. At no additional charge, your photos can be used for any holiday card from Shara’s Paperie, including the new, exclusive Confections Holiday Album. Orders placed on the day of your photo shoot will be eligible for a 20% discount. You can also order your holiday cards at a later date and still receive a 15% discount.

Additional photo files can be purchased after January 15th, 2010.

Photo Session Dates:
Thursday, September 24 ~ 3:00 until 5:00
Saturday, October 24 ~ 12:00 until 5:00
Sunday, November 15 ~ 12:00 until 5:00
Thursday, December 3 ~ 3:00 until 5:00
Saturday, December 19 ~ 12:00 until 5:00

call Shara’s Paperie at 901.737.5056 to schedule your photo session

It's Thursday...New Product Day!

2009-09-10T11:39:00.001-05:00

Can you believe it’s Thursday already! Gotta love long holiday weekends! Check out the new custom Pocket Folders from Confections. Confections personalized pocket folders are 9 x 12 and open to two, four inch deep pockets, offering plenty of space for paperwork or homework. Mix and match with our featured product from last week, custom Spiral Notebooks!

Happy New Product Thursday!

2009-09-03T11:46:00.003-05:00

We have a great new product to spotlight this Thursday and perfect timing for anyone a little behind on their back to school shopping. Check out our awesome Spiral Notebooks from Confections. Featuring unique designs on both sides, each notebook contains 50 double-sided, wide ruled standard sized sheets. Add your name to give these notebooks a personalized touch.

Come back next Thursday to find out what’s new from the Shara’s Paperie team!

Confections by Shara's Paperie Introduces Personalized Clipboards!

2009-08-27T11:43:00.003-05:00

It's time once again for New Product Thursday! The team at Shara's Paperie is very excited to present new Personalized Clipboards from Confections. Printed on both sides in vivid colors and a bright gloss finish these clipboards are truly a must have! Plus if you mention what a "sweet deal" this is you get 15% off...how sweet is that!!

Don't forget to check back next week and every Thursday to see what’s new!

We Received 5-Stars!

2009-08-24T14:05:00.003-05:00

Shara's Paperie received a perfect 5-star rating on Project Wedding! Thank you to all our clients who wrote reviews about us. Our clients said they love the impeccable quality and service that we provide, and we are so excited to be awarded with this elite distinction!

New Product Thursday!

2009-08-13T13:37:00.005-05:00

Welcome to New Product Thursday! Every Thursday the team at Shara’s Paperie will introduce a new and exciting design. We are excited to kick off our New Product Thursday with Confections Initial Note Stationery. Available in trendy colors and jewel tones these Initial Cards help you say thank you with a personal touch.

Check back every Thursday to find out what’s new!

Lunchboxes in the news!

2009-08-03T11:08:00.003-05:00

Our new personalized lunchboxes were featured in the Commercial Appeal. We are so excited that these fabulous lunchboxes were highlighted in the Great Finds article. Come by the store and check out the other fantastic back to school items we offer including notebooks, pens, binders and pencil cases. Also new from Confections by Shara’s Paperie personalized clipboards and notebooks in bright colors and patterns that will make going back to school much more fun. Most of our back to school items are on sale now but they are going fast so stop by the store today for all your back to school needs!

Confections is HERE!

2009-06-01T09:56:00.004-05:00

Confectionsbysharaspaperie.com is LIVE! Check in to see all kinds of new products, designs, and follow us on Twitter and friend us on Facebook. We're so excited to offer 24-hour stationery shopping and homegrown designs from Shara's Paperie and Amy Hutcheson, see you soon!

Business Section front page!

2008-12-03T15:21:00.002-06:00

We were featured in the Commercial Appeal business section this morning, introducing our Confections line and mentioning our collaboration with Memphis artist Amy Hutcheson.

Pre Holiday Sale going on NOW!

2008-11-05T16:42:00.004-06:00

Throughout the month of November we will have everything in the store on sale. This is a great time to stock up on gifts and goodies for the holiday season!

Shara's Paperie in the Memphis Commercial Appeal

2008-10-06T09:41:00.005-05:00

We were featured in a local shopping article about the popularity of personalized gifts this holiday season! Examples from our Confections line were shown and mentioned as great gifts for almost anyone.

Shara's Paperie featured in Ines del Mar Weddings

2008-09-25T11:48:00.002-05:00

We have just been featured in Ines del Mar's Fall/Winter issue. The themes Fire, Earth, and Water are showcased with coordinating invitations.

Shara’s Paperie introduces...

2008-09-18T14:03:00.006-05:00

Shara’s Paperie announced this week the broad availability of Confections, a new line of invitations, holiday cards and paper accessories created by the company’s design staff. The line begins with a holiday album that features over 50 original designs with a variety of holiday themes. The wide range of designs includes personal and family photo greeting cards as well as cards suitable for corporate clients. A second Confections album will be released in the beginning of October filled with calling cards, labels, gift tags and other paper accessories.

"We’ve always focused on delivering design expertise in our customized invitations, stationery and holiday cards for clients. So the decision to release our own line was a natural expansion," said Shara Danziger, founder and owner of Shara’s Paperie. According to Danziger, the designs within the line will suit a wide variety of tastes. "Each of our designers has different preferences, which coupled with our broad customer experiences allows us to create gorgeous cards that we, ourselves, would be excited to receive. Some are elaborate, some are simple, but all are beautiful." Another important aspect of the line is the short turnaround time that is available. The client can place the order and have it ready for pick up within a few days. Danziger goes on to say; "we understand how busy our clients are and having a quick turn around takes that into consideration. Moreover our cutoff date for the holiday album is also significantly later then most. What this means for our clients is that they can order their holiday greetings up to December 31st."

Long-time Shara’s Paperie customer Johnetta Blakeley was among the first to place an order for the new line. "The various card designs are really fabulous. I was so excited when Shara showed me the ‘early version’ of the Confections album, that I couldn’t wait for the official announcement…I’ve already placed my order!"

Confections cards can be found at Shara’s Paperie, which is located in East Memphis in the Orleans Place shopping center. Prices range from $1.75 to $3.25 per card and volume discounts apply for large orders. To see a sampling of the Confections as well as other designs by Shara’s Paperie, please visit http://www.sharaspaperie.com/.

2008-07-23T15:12:00.001-05:00

Shara was recently featured in the Commercial Appeal! Article below.

Text mightier than pen
Contest seeks to boost recognition for value of good handwriting
By Nikki Bussey (Contact), Memphis Commercial AppealThursday, July 17, 2008
In a world dominated by typing and texting, it may seem like old forms of communication are disappearing.
Carole Foster of Bartlett is doing what she can to make sure that doesn't happen by sponsoring a contest that judges penmanship.
"Right now, there are a lot of people who can't read handwriting because they don't write," Foster said. "It's such a personal way of communication. People don't send letters of communication anymore. They just e-mail and text each other."
The Handwriting Contest was created in 2003, when Foster received more than 100 entries. But in 2006, only 10 people submitted sentences.
Deadline for entries is Aug. 1. The top 25 will be displayed at the Delta Fair and Music Festival at Agricenter International Aug. 29-Sept. 7.
"It's just a skill that people really need," Foster said. "I am doing what I can to bring awareness that it's a skill worth having."
In years past, students were taught handwriting extensively, but Foster said teachers are now so busy preparing for tests, they just don't have the time to teach it the way they used to.
"I've heard for 15 years handwriting is dying," said Steve Graham, professor of education at Vanderbilt University.
Graham says texting, typing and instant messaging have created other bad habits, such as poor spelling and bad grammar.
Graham said he sees this new technology as a challenge, but also as a way to increase the amount of writing in the world.
"If it is here to stay, I'm happy kids are communicating, but they need to know when they can use it," he said.
Carly Culbertson, Carolinas-Tennessee public relations manager for Verizon Wireless, said texting is gaining popularity because it's more discrete than taking a phone call and is faster than a letter.
"I still think its great to get a letter in the mail, but I do think we have become a society where we want an instant reaction," Culbertson said. "To some degree it's kind of fun. It gives you that instantaneous lift."
Shara Danziger, owner of Shara's Paperie, said she hasn't noticed a decrease in sales at her store, but rather a rising interest in making sure "Thank You" notes and invitations are sent.
"People are almost backlashing against the messaging and e-mails," she said. "There are so many events you don't want to see in a text message. You don't want to announce the birth of your baby in an e-mail."
Danziger said wedding and graduation invitations, baby announcements and shower invitations are all still important to customers.
"Here in the South, I think, manners and etiquette, to do things 'the right way,' is important," she said.
Mary Ruth Colvin, owner of Just Write, said she doesn't think e-mail will ever replace handwritten letters and notes.
"You read it, delete, and it's gone," Colvin said. "Writing a thank-you note, you know the person sat down and took the time to make it."
-- Nikki Bussey: 529-2609
Pick up a pen
To register for the Handwriting Contest, go to deltafest.com and click on "Contests." Scroll down to "Crafts, Culinary, Collectibles" and go to the page for the Handwriting contest guidelines.

Shara's Paperie is proud to announce...

2008-07-02T12:47:00.003-05:00

...our feature in the Fall issue of The Bride and Bloom! Our work in full color. Shown is a booklet-style wedding suite in a black and white retro floral pattern, complete with Save the Date, invitation, RSVP postcard, and table placecard.

Big Things are Happening!

2008-06-26T13:18:00.004-05:00

Today Shara's Paperie went LIVE on facebook.com, please become our friend and get the skinny on sales and announcements! We will keep our page updated and feature new items regularly.

We have also redesigned our logo to welcome in the expansion of our business - we are proud to announce the release of our own line, Confections by Shara's Paperie. The line will be introduced this holiday season with a large selection of photo cards, imprintables, gift tags and labels. Confections is all created by the designers on staff at Shara's Paperie.

Shara's Paperie is also announcing the birth of Paperie Prints. Design and printing options specifically for small businesses and individuals. Check back soon to hear all the details...in the mean time please call the shop to find out how you can use Paperie Prints.

And finally, we are in the midst of Shara's Summer Sale. We've marked down stationery, papers, notepads, gifts, etc. from $1! Please drop by and check it out; every $50 purchase of sale merchandise receives a grab bag full of more stuff.

Shara's Paperie in the press!

2008-01-23T12:51:00.000-06:00

We are proud to be featured in Greetings, etc. Magazine, the leading trade publication for invitations and stationery. The article contains photos of the store, an interview with Shara, and details on our website.

Wedding Tips

2008-01-22T12:11:00.000-06:00

Tips For Ordering Your Wedding Stationery

Early planning is the key to a perfectly smooth wedding. At Shara’s Paperie, we have guidelines to help you plan your invitations and stationery for the big day. They are guidelines, not rules, and they suggest time periods to perform the tasks so important to a well organized wedding.
- 6 or more Months before the Wedding
Determine:
Formal/Informal Wedding
Budget
Guest List/Addresses
Location and Date
Send Save-the-Date

- 4 to 6 Months before the Wedding
Order Invitations
Thank You Notes
Book Calligrapher
Choose Favors

- 2 to 4 Months before the Wedding
Mail Invitations – The rule of thumb on invitations is mailing them 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding. However, today there are so many destination weddings which require early registration of guests. This leads many brides to mail invitations earlier than normal, especially if they are not sending a save-the-date.

Write Thank You Notes – It is helpful to write out your thank you notes as your gifts arrive, this will save time after the wedding. Etiquette dictates that they only be sent after the wedding, you shouldn't use notes with your married name or monogram on them until after the wedding!

- 2 to 4 Weeks before the Wedding
Order Programs – We can design your wedding program with as much flair and information as you wish. It’s much easier to get it exactly like you want if you do it early enough. We can also do itinerary programs for events at destination weddings or the in town weekend events of the wedding.

Address Announcements – Address your announcements but only mail them after the wedding.

Order Escort or Place Cards

Annual Holiday Sale

2007-12-27T12:00:00.000-06:00

Big Post-Holiday Sale

We've got all kinds of holiday items on sale, from paper to ornaments to all sorts of gifts. Come in and check out our selection!

News & Updates

2007-12-05T15:56:00.000-06:00

Shara's Paperie to be featured on ABC Channel 24's Mid-Day Program!
If you live in Memphis, be sure to tune in to Channel 24 on Wednesday, December 12th at 11am! Shara will be featured on the the Eyewitness News Everywhere Mid-Day program discussing holiday card ideas including great last minute suggestions!

Newsletter Recap
Our monthly newsletters are now available on the website! If you aren't a subscriber yet or just want to recap the articles, simply go to http://www.sharaspaperie.com/ and Click on About Us. You will find the buttons that link to the Newsletters under Links & Brands. We do included coupons on the newsletters from time to time so be sure to check it out!

Last Minute Holiday Gifts!

We have many great last minute holiday gifts available in all price ranges! Whether its for a friend, family member, teacher or co-worker we've got a multitude of fun, unique items in the $15/$25/$50 price ranges. We'll even wrap it up for you so you'll good to go!

Holidays are Here!

2007-10-29T16:07:00.000-05:00

The holidays have arrived at Shara's Paperie!
We are now fully stocked with great photo cards, fabulous custom holiday greetings, and lots of great holiday gifts.
If you are thinking about personalized gifts this year (a great idea!), consider placing your orders now. Many companies have early deadlines to ensure you will get your orders in time. We have lots of great gift items that can be personalized including soaps, handbags, pottery, candles, clocks and leather goods.

Whether you are planning to send traditional holiday greetings this year, or want something totally original, be sure to stop by and see what have to offer. We love to work with clients to create one-of-a-kind holiday greetings!
Several examples of our holiday work can be seen in the new Holiday section of our Inspiration Gallery.

Happy shopping!

Successful Open House

2007-10-16T10:11:00.001-05:00

A big thanks to everyone who attended our Open House event on Saturday!We all enjoyed catching up with our clients and welcoming new visitors to the store.

A huge thanks also goes to Hilda of Hilda's International Gourmet and Erin of Sweet Endings Desserts for providing fabulous food for the event. Everything from the tomato and mozarella skewers to the chocolate covered pretzels were thoroughly enjoyed! If these photos don't make your mouth water...nothing will!

Even if you missed the Open House, you haven't missed out on all of the great holiday items now available in the shop. From ornaments to photo cards to great personalized gifts, there are lots of wonderful options for getting the holiday season off to a great start. Be sure to stop in early, while the selection is at its best!

Open House

2007-09-11T14:59:00.000-05:00

In celebration of our recent expansion and our upcoming 3rd birthday, we are hosting an Open House!

Join us Saturday, October 13th from 2-5 pm for great food, door prizes, and special discounts! Hope to see you all there!

Shara's Paperie in the News

2007-09-10T10:26:00.001-05:00

We are proud to share the coverage of our recent expansion as featured in the Memphis Commercial Appeal on Saturday, September 10th, 2007.

Commercial Appeal Article

New Arrivals at Shara's Paperie

2007-08-20T12:54:00.001-05:00

With our expansion completed we are now able to display our new lines of personalized gift items. Here is a preview of some of the latest arrivals!

Monogrammed Soaps $15-30
Each bar of soap is individually engraved with a monogram or initial. Available in several different scents. Monogrammed candles are also available.

Letterpressed Stationery $12-15
High quality cardstock letterpressed with different patterns and designs. Each package comes with 6 folded notes and envelopes in 3 different colors. Letterpressed initials can be added to the outside for personalization.

Leather Goods $15-200
Anything from date books and luggage tags to photo albums, journals and travel accessories can be personalized with initials, monograms, or full names. Great gift items for men and women available in many colors and styles.

Personalized Pottery & More $35-250
This line of colorful and festive gifts includes pottery, pillows, aprons and more. All pieces can be personalized with first or family names. Many seasonal and holiday items are available including ornaments, platters and picture frames. PEASE NOTE, ALL HANUKKAH & CHRISTMAS ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY NOVEMBER 5th.

Picture Frames $25-150
Both square and rectangular photo frames are available in a number of patterns. All can be personalized with names, initials or messages. Bulletin boards also available.

Renovations Completed! After Photos

2007-08-20T12:49:00.001-05:00

Here is a new photo of the completed store expansion. We have a new section of personalized gift items including soaps, pottery, picture frames, baby gifts and more. Stop in soon to see all that we have to offer!

Renovations Completed! The Before & During Photos

2007-08-07T15:11:00.000-05:00

It has been a dusty two weeks at Shara's Paperie, but we have finally completed the expansion of our store and studio! Our offices are now located on the floor above the shop and we have extended our store space to the back of the building. If you were kind enough to stop in during the construction, we sincerely appreciated your patience and understanding as we worked through the chaos! If you missed it, here are a few pictures of the process...

The back wall before the holes were cut...

After the window and doorway were cut...

The installation of the wrought iron stairs...

The back walls being removed...

Stay tuned for the "after" photos!

Don't forget, our Summer Sale is still in progress! Don't miss your chance to save 30-75% off of great gifts, stationery, and more!

New Additions to Shara's Paperie

2007-07-19T09:20:00.001-05:00

Shara's Paperie is proud to announce two new additions to our store!

First, on July 17th, we launched our brand new website! Our site now has some great new features including:

Member Sign In
By creating an account on our site, you can save information about your upcoming events including weddings, showers, parties, etc. You will also be able to subscribe to our monthly newsletter and be eligible for members-only offers!

Inspiration Gallery
This area of our site showcases our past projects and is meant to be a springboard for developing your own invitations. You are now able to browse the Inspiration Gallery to get ideas for anything from wedding invitations to baby announcements to business cards! When you come across pieces that are particularly inspiring to you, save them to your account. You can even make notes on the specific things (shape, color, font, etc.) you like about the items you choose. When we work with you on your project, we will refer to these notes in order to create the perfect pieces for your event.

We would like to thank the guys at Chico's Web Design for all of their help in getting this great site launched!

Second, we are in the midst of expanding our retail store! Over the next few weeks we will be knocking out a few walls and significantly increasing our store and studio space. This will enable us to bring in some fabulous new gift items, add an entire section of products that can be personalized, and bring in some new equipment for our design studio. We will continue to be open during normal hours throughout the remodelling so please pardon the dust if you stop by while we are under construction!

Class of 2007

2007-04-07T15:08:00.000-05:00

The 2007 graduation season is fast approaching and if there is a soon-to-be graduate in your life, chances are you will need to shop for a graduation gift. While giving cash is a traditional option, there are also other creative choices that can add a personalized touch to your gift.

Think Usefulness
Most graduates are about to undergo a major transition in their lives, be it from high school to college or from college into the working world. Items that make this transition easier are always a good idea.

At Shara’s Paperie, look for…

Budder Buckets-galvanized steel buckets covered in colorful fabrics, these sturdy & decorative containers have literally hundreds of uses.

Beaded Acrylic Stationery Sets-Whether leaving a note, writing a quick phone message, or jotting down the latest great idea, having paper handy is always useful. These stationery sets can be personalized for an added touch.

Maude Asbury Magnetized Message Boards-Available in two sizes and covered in bright, trendy fabrics, these boards make great additions to any dorm room or apartment.

Space is an Issue
Most new graduates will be moving into apartments or dorms where space will be an issue. Try giving a graduate items that can maximize the space they have and make it seem more "home-like” at the same time.

At Shara’s Paperie, look for…

Photo albums-especially smaller ones like 3 Marthas albums which hold many photos without taking up lots of space.

Tigo drawing kit-great for the artist or doodler, this pocket sized, suede bound kit comes with a palm-sized sketch pad, colored pencils, and a pencil sharpener.

Magnets-magnets are a great way to create hanging space where it didn’t exist before. Pair with a magnetized message board, or place on a refrigerator to hang photos and messages from home.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Most graduates will be receiving many gifts to celebrate their graduation. Providing them with customized stationery will ensure they can send their Thank-You’s and will even help them keep in touch if they are moving away for school or work.

At Shara’s Paperie, look for…

Whitney English Stationery Sets-beautiful cardstock with brightly colored patterns and prints. These sets are classy, yet youthful.

Welcome to Shara's Paperie!

2007-03-29T17:19:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Shara's Paperie Blog!

Shara's Paperie is a one-of-a kind paper store located Memphis, Tennessee.

Please stop back for updates, store events, and new items in our store!

We are located at 1789 Kirby Parkway, Memphis, Tennessee

Our hours are: Mon-Thurs 10-5:30 and Fri-Sat 10-5

Please stop by again soon!