This review was sponsored by Minted through product. All opinions are 100% our own.
Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, I worked in the stationary business. I was privileged to spend my time in a plush little studio down in the Design District of Dallas. Saying I “loved” my job would be an understatement. For two years, I enjoyed watching some truly creative people work their magic designing wedding stationary and absolutely beautiful party invites while my Type A-self put it all together and into production.
Unfortunately, the after-effect of this incredibly fun job was the realization that I’d turned into a slight paper snob. I began to appreciate the fine art of letterpressing paper with antique machines and beveling papers in engraved gold. By the end, by simply holding two types of paper I could tell you the thickness and whether it was Italian or American made. Like some people enjoy their wine…I enjoyed my paper!
Could I ever afford anything I helped create? Absolutely not. But this hasn’t stopped my history and experience from making it incredibly difficult to shop for personal stationary, my son’s party invitations, and (the most difficult of all) holiday cards. Everything I have selected always seems to feel like I’m settling.
Now once again, December has crept up on me and last night, I found myself browsing around the web at some of the more common print websites when I came across something new–Minted.
Minted is a stationary & events design marketplace for artists looking to share their work with an audience. Each year, Minted hosts design challenges among independent artists who submit their work and with the help from their online audience, chooses from the best to produce their work into functional, useful, and interesting products like day planners, notebooks, wall art, and stationary.
Minted artists are from all backgrounds and walks of like who have a passion for expressing their creativity through illustrations, textile, paint, and packaging. The artists might be marketers or stay-at-home moms. Some have design degrees, and others are participating in Minted competitions to learn design for the first time. The point is…on Minted, there’s something that speaks to everyone, and for me it’s the paper!
What I love about this site, is it goes beyond the simple holiday photo card. We have the option of choosing from hundreds of inspirational flat and folded cards to holiday ornament cards or even a holiday minibook™ card with up to 7 fully customizable pages to send to close friends and family members.
But the best part is, you’re not paying designer studio prices!
For as little as $1.15 per card, you can select the design and text of your choice. Once you select your card, upgrades are available based on your personal style and need. You can customize your card using your favorite colors, edging, and papers like 100% recycled Premium paper, matte, or Pearlescent. You can even get fancy by selecting from their latest gold, silver, and rose foil-pressed cards and beautifully lined, matching envelopes.
Before heading to your usual print service for cards, let the artists at Minted help bring our your creative side this season. Give them a try!
Do you send out holiday cards each year or have another creative way of staying in touch?
We’d love to hear in the comments!
**Disclosure: Dallas Moms Blog was provided an opportunity to try Minted in order to be able to write this review. All opinions are 100% my own.
