New Holiday Cards

There are a handful of new holiday cards listed in the Ethni Paper Shoppe. Unlike most of the cards available on there, these latest designs are flat, one-sided, 5x7 cards printed on photo paper and are available for $2 each.

New Christmas Cards in the Paper Shoppe

There are two new holiday card designs in the Ethni Paper Shoppe with more on the way soon! I think I'll go back later and add some ornaments to the trees in the first set. They are looking a little naked.

If you haven't noticed, I have recently been taking a break from my texture-rich designs, focusing more on a crisp, clean look. Don't worry, I'll still be producing the other style so keep an eye out if you prefer that look.

In the meantime, these are the latest additions to the Paper Shoppe!

North Carolina Awaits

It seems my little blog has become somewhat neglected this summer. I suppose that's a by-product of running in a million different directions, still tackling three different jobs, and trying to get everything done in a timely manner. Who has time to sit and enjoy a hot latte and fresh muffins, and update the world on the life of their business? Coincidentally, that's just what I happen to be doing at the moment, even though a mile-long list sits on the desk next to me. And I will admit, it feels like a luxury.

Speaking of luxury, I leave very early tomorrow morning to fly 2,887 miles away from this place to a little island off the coast of North Carolina. There I will spend a week with a small gathering of photographers from throughout the United States to talk shop with the company of Audrey Woulard, Tamara Lackey, Laura Novak, and Lena Hyde. Even though I have three weddings and five portrait sessions to finish editing, and a few design projects on my desk, I will take the week to relax and enjoy the company I am with. Even more so since the October issue of True North Parenting is now at the printer! Don't get me wrong, I'm not used to simply not working when there are so many things demanding my attention. However, my laptop is dying a slow and painful death. Conveniently, the only programs it will NOT run are Adobe ones. Photoshop and InDesign? Good luck. It must be God's mercy telling me to slow down and enjoy a much-needed break. I won't argue with Him.

If you need me, this is where I will be:


Jen Thompson and I are traveling together, and I'm very much looking forward to some solid time with her (and yes, I stole this image off her blog). We will be housemates with two other girls at this adorable house, cruising around in golf carts because the island doesn't allow any cars.



And if you are going to be at Learnfest too, lucky you. The Ethni Paper Shoppe is also a sponsor, and you will be receiving these two free holiday card templates in your swag bag:



When I get home late next Friday night, I'll be hitting the ground running, travelling every weekend but one through the end of October. Someday I will get caught up, and my blog will be getting some more attention. But until then, this little update will just have to get you by. Enjoy your weekend! I know I will.

Ethni Paper Shoppe: Urban Baby Series

I'm just putting the finishing touches on a brand new Urban Baby series! These baby shower invitations, birth announcements, and thank you cards were designed with the urban mom in mind who doesn't necessarily want all the pastels and teddy bears typically associated with new baby items. Set the tone for your shower subtly, and announce your little one while still expressing your hip, urban style!

All pieces will be available for purchase in the Ethni Paper Shoppe very soon, and might include one or two more patterns to choose from. Although each piece is offered individually in the Shoppe, the set is also available for photographers to purchase as .psd files to make available to your clients! If you would like to be notified of new sets as they are released, or are interested in purchasing this set of templates, please email papershoppe@ethniphotography.com.

New Designs in the Ethni Paper Shoppe

There are a few more designs in the Ethni Paper Shoppe. I will be adding new items steadily for the next few weeks, but I love this one so much I had to share it with you.

Cheers to the fact that season-appropriate weather has finally hit Central Oregon! Now it's time to work on getting rid of the ghostly winter skin!

Ethni Paper Shoppe

In the last two weeks I feel like I've been hit with a bolt of creative lightning. The kind that can strike without warning and leave your hair on end. Anything, it seems, has given me inspiration. Vases, flowers, trees... (For some reason, I have a strange fascination with trees. It's one I haven't been able to shake since college, and am convinced will lead me on the endless pursuit of the perfect shot under a perfect tree.) Anyway, even a belt in an ad in the Harper's Bazaar magazine I was flipping through today sparked an idea. My mind is always going. A pad of paper and a pen are never far away to catch cryptic notes to be incorporated into something hopefully fabulous later.

Last week I began consolidating all these sparks of ideas into the next phase of my business: the Ethni Paper Shoppe, nestled deep in the wonderful world of Etsy. Now I must warn you, this is when the geeky graphic designer in me comes out. Please excuse me while I put on my thick-rimmed glasses... Ok. Much better. Now I can say this in full confidence: I giggle a little every time I see the avatar on my etsy page. It just so happens that the initials of my shop name spell out "eps," the vector format of choice for designers. No, I didn't plan it. But I kind of enjoy it.

Anyway, I have been working steadily for the last week to pound out solid designs for the shop. I would like to have more for the big reveal, but there just aren't enough hours in the day. There are currently seven birth announcements, save the date cards and invitations for sale, created to complement your brand new portraits. However all the designs are for sale to the general public, and can be customized with any photograph (with the photographer's permission, of course.)

What are you still here for? Go check out the brand new Ethni Paper Shoppe! Add me to your favorites or add an RSS feed to be the first to know of new designs that are added. The shop will be greatly expanding in the next few months. You guys are the lucky ones to be with me from the beginning! Now I'm going to go put my nerdy glasses away...