My Why – Why I Design Stationery

I’ve always been drawn to paper.

Long before Sarah Jane Art existed, before I understood anything about branding or business, I was collecting small, ordinary things - notebooks, envelopes, birthday cards, handwritten notes, pressed leaves tucked between pages. A habit I picked up from my dad. I didn’t realise it then, but I was learning how to notice, to be curious, and to find beauty in small details.

Stationery design, for me, is about being present. In a world that moves quickly and lives largely on screens, paper invites us to slow down, to pause, to choose words carefully, and to consider how something feels in the hand, not just how it looks.

Tangible Connection

Stationery is about connection, meaning, and memory.

I design stationery because it helps people connect - to one another, to moments worth remembering, to the world around us, and to themselves. A handwritten card, a place card on a table, a piece of paper saved long after its original purpose has passed - these small things carry so much meaning.

I’ve made cards for as long as I can remember. Even today, I still send handmade cards to friends and family. They may be imperfect, but they show care, a small gesture of thoughtfulness. I love nothing more than sharing that feeling with others, creating stationery for someone else to enjoy, to gift, and to treasure. Seeing the joy it brings or receiving kind feedback from a customer is something I will never tire of.

A Love of Process

I’m drawn to the process of stationery design as much as I am the finished piece.

Painting, calligraphy, and working with paper are slow by nature. They require patience, presence, and an acceptance of imperfection - a slight wobble in a line, a variation in colour, the subtle texture of the paper itself all contribute to a piece’s unique character.

The process of creating is, to me, like breathing – a necessity, restorative, and deeply human. Watching something take shape by hand in a way that technology cannot replicate is an irreplaceable experience.

Inspired by Nature & the Small Details

Nature sits at the centre of my creative world.

From botanical illustrations and earthy colour palettes to handmade papers and seasonal inspiration, my work is shaped by the flowers, gardens, and little details around me.

Designing stationery allows me to capture and celebrate these details, translating the world we notice into something tangible and lasting.

Thoughtful, Human, and Made to Last

Handmade stationery is inherently human.

It carries the mark of the artist, showing care, time, and intention. Choosing paper goods that are thoughtfully designed and responsibly made reflects a desire to value craftsmanship over convenience, and meaning over mass production.

For me, stationery is never just functional. It’s a way of celebrating love, marking moments, and staying connected - to people, to nature, and the daily rhythms of life.