While working at Fisher-Price, Kira Romashko-Thiel dreamed of launching her own line of paper goods. So, two years ago, that’s just what this Milwaukeean did. Working under the name of Tiara Tomato, this paper-obsessed gal pulls ideas from pages of vintage Vogue and Marie Claire, scraps of textiles, wallpaper, and ribbon. Since the launch of her handmade, eco-friendly company, her cards have gone on to win 6 prestigious Louie Awards and have an international following. Tiara Tomato cards and stationery can be found at tiaratomato.etsy.com and also in Anthropologie stores nationwide.
Tiara Tomato
June 23rd, 2009Tandem Bike Card
June 12th, 2009Give your newly-wed friends a cute wedding card featuring a super rad bicycle built for two. PaperMichelle’s gocco printed card comes in white or seafoam with coordinating envelopes and a protective cello sleeve. Buy it here for just $4.
Paper Haven
May 15th, 2009Located in Milwaukee’s third-ward district, Broadway Paper rightfully shows their passion of all-things-paper. Their roomy boutique offers everything from wedding announcements to recycled greeting cards, stylish office supplies to personalized ceramics. They also feature designers such as egg press, hello lucky, kate spade and snow & graham (just to name a few). Not in the Milwaukee area? Their website makes it easy for paper-lovers across the country to access their exquisite line of goodies morning, noon or night! And not to worry… just because Tracie has sold the store, BWP isn’t going anywhere. Miss Kate Strzok will be stepping in while Tracie spends time with her four daughters and pursues a new career in photography. Good luck Tracie and Kate!
Keep an open mind
May 6th, 2009Looking for a new sketchbook or perhaps a place to jot down lists and thoughts? Try one of these. Bridget and Shelly at Open Books convert vintage books into modern day journals and sketchbooks. Each book contains 80+ blank sheets nestled between hand-selected pages of the original book. See their ever-changing selection at openbooks.etsy.com or at these WI retailers.
Tele-Graham
March 27th, 2009Amy Graham Stigler spent her childhood growing up in our beautiful state of Wisconsin, eventually moving to Chicago to study art and co-found the internationally known stationery company Snow & Graham. After a decade in the city, her growing family moved back to a “quieter” life in the Hartland, WI area. Amy is now creative director and designer for Smock Paper, the first sustainable letterpress print shop in the U.S. to print on a luxury bamboo paper. Although the print shop is located in upstate New York, you can find Smock’s designs at a number of retailers around Wisconsin, including Monograham in Nashotah (Amy’s store), Sarah B. Fine Stationery in Madison and Broadway Paper in Milwaukee. Visit smockpaper.com to see all of Amy’s designs and the many blogs (like designmom.com) featuring her work.







