Today is the day! It’s here! It’s here!
Today I’m introducing the brand new, totally renovated, everything-I’ve-ever-dreamed, is-this-real-life, refreshed and renewed Paper & Honey. And friends, it feels SO sweet. This website and my revamped brand is something I’ve been scheming for well over a year now, and now that launch day is here… I feel pretty good.
In late 2012 I quit my full time position as a graphic designer for a broker dealer. The job itself was fine โ the people were nice, I read tons of books on my lunch breaks, I was getting paid well for a recent college grad โ but it wasn’t feeding my soul. You know that nagging feeling when something just isn’t right? Cue that every day. Cue that for months and add a fiancรฉ who’s urging you to leave because you’re devastatingly unhappy. Thank goodness there is no “cue that for years” in this equation.
Since then, I’ve been freelancing as much as I could and lettering absolutely anything I could get my hands on. I was incredibly blessed to already be working for Lisa of Rock Paper Scissors, a stationery and gift shop with all the charm in the world, on projects that fed my creativity. I attended another Molly Jacques workshop to tune my calligraphy skills further and jumped up and down at the opportunity to conquer a pair of giant chalkboardsย for Viva La Diva Events. I received my first few envelope calligraphy jobs and experienced my first calligraphy-induced hand cramps (which are disastrous, by the way). I did all of the lettering and paper goods for one of the most beautiful weddings I’d ever seen. And it has been SO much fun.
But most importantly: I got married. I married my best friend on what was possibly the coldest day in Michigan May history, with roosters who couldn’t keep quiet, with a pastor who showed up an hour late and called my mom by the wrong name during the ceremony. Everything seemed to go wrong and it was still the best and most beautiful day of my life.

Photography by the wonderful Bryan & Mae
It was magical. Overwhelmingly magical.ย It taught me that I want to be involved in these celebrations of life and love for a very long time.
Paper & Honey is my path to quenching my creative thirst, to interacting and working with people who are excited and passionate, to a business where I thrive in doing what I love every day.
This couldn’t have been done without my loving and insanely supportive husband and partner in life, Max. Thank you for constantly reassuring me I can do this, for listening to my fears, and for consistently delivering late night cups of tea to my studio. Thank you to my parents, who have encouraged me since day one and didn’t seem too scared upon learning I had quit my job. Thank you to Cathy and her team atย Love-Inspired for writing the code to whatever crazy visions I had in my head and for making this website so unbelievably beautiful. Thank you to every single person who has offered a kind word about my work โ it is truly so, so appreciated. Without you I wouldn’t be pursuing my passions.
ย and now, a giveaway!
To thank you, I want to give away some things I’ve been working so hard on. A collection of Paper & Honey products: sweet, simple, handlettered prints and notepads. You may have seen some sneak peeks on my Instagram but I can assure you they’re even lovelier in person. There are multiple ways to enter:
That’s it! Leave a comment below for each social media follow and let me know your username. The giveaway will be open until 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, January 16th, and the winner will be chosen randomly on the 17th! Good luck!
In the meantime, peruse the collection, check out some of the aforementioned gorgeous custom projects, or poke around the tiny (but growing!) Paper & Honey shop, and remember how thankful I am that you’re here. THANK YOU!ย I can’t wait to get started. xo
Hello Hello and congrats on your new and AMAZING website! It is so beautiful! I am doing well and excited for all that is to come for 2014 for my small wedding biz. It’s hard being in it alone, but I know that there’s a ton of support out there for me!
I found you via Instagram and fell in love with your work and style. I wish you the best on your new adventure and hopefully we can work together in the future. Chicago’s not too far from where you are! ๐
All the best,
Tiffany
thanks so much, Tiffany! Chicago is not far at all. here’s to your very own big dreams + making them happen! you can do it!
Love this Laura and love seeing you make your dreams come true. And as I type this I am notice the font that is used and I love it ๐ DREAM BIG GIRL!
love you, Amanda! thanks again!
Holy loveliness. The website is almost as pretty as your lettering! Kudos on having the courage to follow your heart and obvious natural talent. ๐
Liked on Facebook (Elizabeth Burns)
haha! thanks so much Elizabeth!
And following on Instagram (@loveydoveydarling)
Congrats on the new website! It looks great! I love your work, and follow you on Instagram! (@_melissaanderson_)
You are amazing. I want to live in this website.
I also want to win the giveaway.
I LOVE YOU, LAURA.. You inspire me every day with your creativity and passion. Keep doing you, girl.
Victoria Rodham Bernard? Laura, your website launch has brought out all the celebrities! It’s the most happenin’ place on the web!
Liked on Facebook… not sure why I hadn’t already!
Of course I’m already following your talent on instagram… duh!
(username: juliekuberski)
So, your new website is absolutely beautiful… and I totally want to try my luck at winning some of your lovely goodies. ๐
I’m doing pretty well today, also. Been trying to be more productive lately, which is hard for me, but things are going well. And I’m so so excited for you and your new relaunch. I can’t tell you enough how awesome this is, how talented you are, and how much you deserve it. You will go far. I know it!
aw Julie, you’re the best! you always have the nicest things to say!! thank you, thank you, thank you. xo
Laura, you are amazing, the website is AMAZING! Congratulations on your launch and following your dreams! I will be pointing everyone in my immediate and peripheral vicinity to visit this site if they are getting married or in need of beautifully created specialties. Kudos and lots of love to you!
hahaha! I love you Juli! <3 thank you.
OH MY GOODNESS. I love it. I love every bit of it! Congrats congrats congrats!! Your work is stunning and you’ve got a beautiful website to match. I’m so excited for you! And I’m doing very well, thank you! ๐
AW, thank you Bethany! hoping so hard we can meet up this summer!
And because I can’t pass up the opportunity to get some of your amazing work…
I’ve followed you on Facebook both personally and with my business page!
And of course I follow you on Twitter!
And Instagram as well ๐
I ALSO want to live in this website. I think I’ll keep it up at work all day so my office looks prettier.
I found your site via Bethany @ Love Grows Design. You are both beautiful and so very talented! I love your adorable little site and I hope your business continues to grow and flourish!
I’m well, myself! Keep doing what you love <3
thank you Tabitha! Bethany’s pretty great, isn’t she? ๐
She’s one of my favorites ๐
I followed you on Facebook!
And I followed you on instagram!
And I hit up your twitter!
(@tabithurr)
(@tabulous)
Thanks, lady!
I wish there was a LOVE button on your Facebook page! I love your shop! It is my dream to start something similar and it is very inspiring to see people put it into action! I just liked your page and my name is Alacia Hood. Let’s be friends! XO
thank you Alacia! if you have a dream, GO for it. do it. it might take awhile, but it will be so, so, so worth it in the end. SO worth it. ๐
Following on Insta! @alaciahood
Love your tweets! @alaciahood
And seriously, I am doing much better now that I have discovered your shop! XO
Laura, your website looks amazing! I have to admit, I would check this site periodically over the past few months hoping it would be ready so I could browse all your creations. You do such great work! With that in mind…pretty please can I win your giveaway?! ๐
Followed on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!
I love your new website design!
I’m doing pretty well, I’m starting a health “reboot” while my husband is away on business! Take care and best of luck!
mmm font full of goodness. I’m in love with your new branding! I might have to re-marry my husband so we can use your stationary <3 <3
facebook liked [becky hallam]
instagram liked [rebcky27]
twitter follower! [rebcky27]
Laura, it’s absolutely gorgeous! I’m so excited for you! I love following your work on instagram and I can’t wait to see more. Wishing you all the very best, I have no doubt you’re going to keep doing amazing things ๐ x
Laura!! So excited for you!! Your website is perfectly fitting for your gorgeous work!! Can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2014 for you <3
Facebook liked even before the launch!
Beautiful, beautiful Website for beautiful designs. And a lovely lady.
So proud of you, Laura!
Congrats Laura! This site is amazing!!! So pretty and flowy and feminine! Love it!
Goodness gracious! It’s all too lovely for words. I am so proud of you and happy you have this new space that is the representation of your incredible brand. Cheers to new starts and lovely brands. You’re amazing, friend xoxo
Liked on Facebook (Rebecca Patterson), already following you on Instagram (@beccaheider), and now I am following you on Twitter (@rhpatterson25)! I just love your work and your website design is so clean and pretty and I could just browse for hours on here!! Thank you for the giveaway!
Love the art work. Keep creating and we’ll keep following.
shaunahmargaret
Absolutely obsessed!!
Follow on Twitter (@itsbrookekelly)
Follow on Instagram (@itsbrookekelly)
Like on Facebook (Brooke Kelly)
Love the new website design and shop. Looking forward to purchasing a few items soon and recommending your work to my friends!
Also LOVE the Michigan watercolor you just posted on instagram. I’m a Grand Rapids girl and always on the lookout for unique + made in MI items!
I follow on Instagram (mrszoerhof)
&
Facebook (Shannon Zoerhof)
I am doing fabulous! I’m soooo excited for you and your new business launch! I hope to be where you are at in the coming years! I’m excited about going full force and transforming my brand and shop in the coming months.
I follow on instagram! @beanstalkloft http://instagram.com/beanstalkloft
I liked on fb! Beanstalk Loft https://www.facebook.com/BeanstalkLoft
hi laura!! congrats on your site!! it’s been exciting following your journey, which has made it so much sweeter to see you finally launch your site! it looks great!
i’m doing well and still on the calligraphy/lettering kick since joining the Hand Lettering Practice board on Pinterest! ๐ – and finally have a tumblr account! looking forward to being the lucky winner of your giveaway! ๐
I follow on twitter… @kellyhollstrom https://twitter.com/kellyhollstrom
Everything you’re doing is so lovely!!!! So excited for you!
I entered through all three ways. My instagram and twitter handles are @sheinthemaking ๐
Love following you on Instagram @lowehannah09
Your work is beautiful and this site is amazing! I think you are one of the best people and so inspirational!
Your new website is beautiful! I stumbled across your website last summer and absolutely love your lettering. I signed up for a class to learn the basics of lettering, your work is definitely inspiration!
I’m doing great! ๐
My Instagram name is itsashleyl
And Twitter is ashleylulkovitz
I’d love to win some of your gorgeous paper products! I’m such a notepad and to-do list addict.
Twitter; Mixd_Metaphors
instagram followed!: homohysteria
Your website looks great! Loved reading your inspiring story here and look forward to seeing more of your beautiful work on Instagram. Thanks for the inspiration:)
(ashleeg85 on Instagram)
Well this was the easiest entry ever since I am such an fan on all the platforms listed ๐ so happy for you Laura it’s just beautiful! I am doing awesomesauce ๐
I love your stuff! So inspiring!
I liked you on Facebook!
Oops! Username is bajebean for Facebook
I was going to be PC and not enter your sweeps… But then I saw Torri did ๐ So proud of you and what you’re doing <3
Following on Instagram! Username bajebean80
Wow wow wow. Beautiful site.
Congratulations on this new chapter in your life and in your business!
Sweet Laura! Following you on FB, IG & now here on your beautiful & thoughtfully planned AHH-MAZING new website!!
I’m feeling accomplished today! I FINALLY got going and am making headway on getting my home office and studio in actual working order! So excited for 2014 & all of the great things in store for you and Paper & Honey…go girl, go!!!
& duh I totally wanna win some of your delightful goodies!! ๐
IG: jesskilz1
twitter follow: oh_kait
Following you on instagram as well: oh_kait
And I liked you on facebook too! (fb.com/kkait)
Your site looks amazing! I too am about to launch a new site. Here’s to a wonderful and prosperous launch in 2014. Your work is delicious. Best of luck! Xo, jodi
Girl, I wish I had discovered your talents before my September wedding! You are incredible and I can’t wait to point all my soon-to-be-wed friends in your direction. Congratulations and all the luck in the world (though, clearly, you’re doing just fine on your own)!
Love beautiful paper….
Laura, I’m so so glad you’re back! Your site is gorgeous and everything looks wonderful. I’m so happy for your accomplishments and looking forward to reading about your future. ๐